Long-time City councillor Frank Wong is campaigning for a fourth term.
First elected in 2004, Wong was re-elected in both the 2007 and 2010 elections.
“I enjoy serving the citizens of Red Deer and some of the goals of the last term weren’t even initiated,” he said. “And over the last two or three months, a lot of supporters have been encouraging me to run. I’ve had a lot of encouragement from supporters and friends.”
Wong said if he is re-elected, he’d like to see more commercial and residential development north of Hwy. 11A close to the Queens Business Park.
“We have infrastructure there – we have a transportation network there already.”
He said Red Deer is losing out to some of its neighbours in terms of residential development. “People from Sylvan Lake, Blackfalds and Penhold can get to Queens faster than people from (the district of) Inglewood.”
He’d also like to see better synchronization of the City’s lights. There’s been some improvement, he said. “We bought a lot of new software about three years ago, but we haven’t got them all done. Plus the fact we’ve added about eight more lights doesn’t really help.”
Wong’s committee experience with the City over the years includes the Community Housing Advisory Board, the Emergency Management Committee (Alternate), the Environmental Advisory Board, the Governance & Policy Committee, the Municipal Features Naming Committee, the Nomination Review Committee and the Westerner Exposition Board.
Meanwhile, Wong said in his talks with residents, he’s hearing about concerns over debt, bike lanes, and council’s capital spending plan over the next while.
As to debt, Wong said much of it stems from improvements and expansions to the City’s water treatment and waste water treatment which of course will be paid for over the coming decades.
Looking ahead, Wong pointed out that the future is bright for Red Deer as the City passes the 100,000 mark in population. Milestones ranging from some Air Canada service coming to the Red Deer Airport to expansions and improvements to the Enmax Centrium has helped move Red Deer to the next level.
As for traits that make him right for another term, Wong points to his willingness to talk to all citizens about any issue, and his experience.
“I have a lot of knowledge of the City,” he said. He said he is the longest serving planning staff member Red Deer has had with 32 years of experience. His knowledge of the City stems from working through decades of significant population growth as well. “When I came to Red Deer, there was 27,000 people and when I retired there was about 79,000 people.
Meanwhile, he’s enjoyed his time on Council thus far and said it’s fulfilling to see a range of projects come to fruition.
“You have a hand in moving the City to a higher level.”
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