Red Deer City council incumbent Lynne Mulder is officially in the municipal election race when voters head to the polls this October.
Mulder was first elected to City council in 2004, and was re-elected in 2007, 2010 and 2013.
“I had agreed the last time I ran that I would really give it careful thought if I were to run a fifth time,” she said. “I did give it a lot of thought – I’ve got four terms under my belt, but I still have the time and I still have the passion for the community, and so I think I still have something to offer,” she added.
“I see myself as a community builder not only on council but I’m also very active in other not-for-profits in the City that aren’t related to council,” she said. “So I really have a huge commitment and a real passion to ensure that all the citizens of Red Deer can get the best quality of life that they can,” she said. “I think I can do that through council, and I think I can do that through my other not-for-profit activities.”
Mulder is now retired from Red Deer College, and held business and professional record senior leadership positions in post-secondary institutions for more than 30 years. She was also vice president of education at Red Deer College for eight years.
In the meantime, Mulder is excited for the months of campaigning that are starting up – connecting with folks in the community is what fuels her service.
“I really like the face to face contact,” she said. “I really like having that opportunity – I like it particularly at the (Farmers’) Market and the forums and what not, for people to ask us questions that are really important to them,” she said.
“We heard a whole lot last year, and we had worked on it. For instance, what came across last year was our engagement – our dialogue with the community and we’ve made huge strides on that as a result of what we heard.
“I also enjoy hearing what the concerns are so that we can make sure that we conclude on a good note as a council – I always think that that is important – that we don’t leave a lot of ends that aren’t tied up, or that we don’t have a plan to deal with it in the future,” she explained. “I really like the people interaction – I’m a people person – I really enjoy that.”
Mulder has also been involved in a number of community initiatives and projects including as SPCA board member and co-chair of the capital campaign, a Parkland Youth Homes board member and a United Way member of the Past Chair Committee.
As well, she has been a board member for Children’s Services, the transportation chair for the 1998 Alberta Winter Games and a United Way Campaign chair and board member (national and local).
These days, if someone were to ask Mulder why they should support her this fall, she said she’d start by discussing her community building work over the years.
“I’ve always had a huge interest in community building,” she said, adding as a key example she could point to her involvement with helping to raise millions for the United Way and the SPCA during her work on their respective campaigns. “I think I have the community’s best interests at heart. That’s who I am – that’s who I like to be known as – a community builder. That’s what I bring.
“I also think I have strong communication skills – I think that I tell it like it is generally, I don’t beat around the bush that much,” she added with a laugh. “I’m very open to hearing what people have to say.”
She also added that she’s a strong advocate for several local causes, including an aquatic centre for example. “I’d like to see it done – it’s scheduled for 2020.
“I will listen to you and I will take your views forward. I would use my track record both on council and in my life (overall) to support that.”
