Matt Chapin, a Red Deer area cook, recently announced that he will run for Red Deer council for third time this fall. Chapin said that he wants to help make a difference in the community.
“Really it is because I love the City of Red Deer,” he said. “Since I first ran 10 years ago – I have become addicted to it. I want to represent this City and I love the campaigning part. I think the current council is doing a great job but I also want to be there working with them.”
Chapin, who also ran for mayor in 2007, is hoping to help give Red Deer a voice nationally.
“In the next four years, there is a lot of big things coming up like the 2019 Canada Winter Games and being able to potentially help out Calgary’s bid for the 2026 Olympic Games,” he said. “I want to be a voice that raises the profile as the third biggest city in the province, but I also don’t want to overspend on the Canada Games. Those Games will highlight us throughout the country, but it will add a lot of debt as well.”
Chapin explained with a fluctuating economy, council needs to ensure that spending is capped.
“There are always things I want to see grow in the City but I know we can’t always say yes to everything and anyone,” he said. “Sometimes council will say yes to more things then we should, but I understand we have to spend money on road repairs and all. I think the new sports facility at the College is a good thing but I think the City gave too much to it.”
Chapin explained that much of his experience has come from the environment he grew up in.
“Since the first time I ran, I have got more experience,” he said. “I grew up with my mother who has schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, so I grew up where money wasn’t always available. With the downturn in the economy, I can take my personal experience over to the government side. There will be some hard decisions made.”
He added his experience working on a team in the kitchen at Moxie’s will also help him work with the new council.
“Where I work in a kitchen atmosphere also can help,” he said. “I know if I am elected, I will be working with several other councils and the mayor. I know we won’t agree on everything but like in a kitchen, we will have to work together the best we can. I have personal relationships with all the current councillors and the mayor from the last election and events throughout the City. For me it is important to be personable with council and being able to work with them.”
Chapin said that his appeal to voters hits every demographic.
“When I have ran before, I was going for the younger vote,” he explained. “Now with more experience, I want to represent everyone. I have spent a lot of time with my grandparents because of my mom’s difficulties, so I know the older generation. I know how to connect with those people. I also know the baby-boomer generation through my aunts and uncles. I know what they are like to work with. I am still in that 18-35 range where I am still young enough and I know that my generation will be taking care of this country and this City. Until I truly am elected, I won’t have the experience of being an elected official – but I can work with whatever age there is in Red Deer.”
He added he wants to represent, “All 100,000 people in Red Deer.”
