One mayoral candidate hopes to tackle a number of issues if elected.
“One of the big things I see is the Municipal Development Plan. We’ve got two huge projects underway with the wastewater treatment plant and the water treatment plant. These are both highly needed projects. I think we should have cut back on some of the other expenditures,” said William Horn.
Another topic Horn said needs to be addressed is crime reduction.
“We need a strong police presence and continued funding for our new crime prevention centre which is very important. This puts forth a strong initiative to curb crime on our streets,” he said. “We need to implement results-driven programs that target specific crime issues in our region.”
Horn added another issue to tackle is the current transit system.
“People take the bus and take an hour and a half to get across the City when it is a 20 minute drive. All buses terminate downtown and I think we need a couple of ring road buses for people traveling to one side of the City from the other,” he said. “I would also like to see the buses run later as well. I think the buses should be running to 12:30 a.m.”
Horn said other issues include the bike lanes, snow removal and he thinks there should be a ‘pothole patrol’ over the winter months.
“I also think we need to do something about affordable housing. There needs to be more for the handicapped, elderly and low-income. It’s a double-edged sword. If you build a high rise for each one of those, then you are putting them all in one area. Toronto had a good concept that it was mandated if you build an apartment building, two low-income suites must be built in each building which spreads it throughout the city,” he said. “We’re so far behind that, we need the high rise. Do we have to do something for the security of that high rise to keep it from turning into a problem? Yes we do.
“The only way I see it affordable is the City to cut back on its amount that they want for a piece of property and I also see that you’re not going to get a huge suite, but at least they have something.”
Meanwhile, he added people have been supportive of his campaign.
“All I need to do to win this election is tell the truth. People are very supportive when they find out what is going on,” he said. “If I get into office am I going to make a mistake? Definitely. There is no question about it in my mind. But it doesn’t mean the citizens of Red Deer shouldn’t know – good or bad. They should be informed.”
Horn said his work history would be an asset if he is elected as the City’s mayor.
“I have a blue work collar history as a mechanic, machinist, a welder, construction, so it’s hard to fool me what something is worth. My white collar background has been project management, purchasing and inventory and production scheduling. I have skill sets that can be put to work here.”
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
