Councillor Ron Chapman was first elected to Airdrie City council in October 2010 and has
served three terms.
He has lived in Airdrie permanently with his family since 1999 and he says he is not done giving back to the city he loves just yet.
Q&A Portion:
- Why are you running for office?
In the last 11 years, I have seen tremendous growth in our city and I feel I still have more to give to the community that I have called home for the past 43 years.
- How will you help to make Airdrie a better place to live, work and play?
During the next four years, City council will be tasked with the responsibility to maintain, and in some cases, increase service levels within the city of Airdrie while keeping our residential tax rate to minimum increases. I will make sure all budget requests are met with the respect and scrutiny they deserve.
- What is the most important issue in this election and how do you plan to address it?
Community safety is one of my top priorities. I will make sure that future requests for additional RCMP officers, fire fighters and municipal enforcement officers are vetted with the best interests of Airdrie in mind. I will continue to advocate to Alberta Health Services regarding our current response times for EMS units and the need for more units within Airdrie at all times.
- How do you plan to be transparent and accountable to your constituents?
I am proud of the last three terms I have had the honour of serving on Airdrie City council and very proud to have served with our current council and previous councils. We have had to make some very tough decisions, but I am confident to say that they have always been made with the best interests of the citizens of Airdrie in mind. I’m sure the future council will have to make tough decisions as well and I think I can bring experience to the table.
- Why should residents vote for you?
I will make sure to make smart informed decisions with all future budget asks regarding any much-needed capital projects. As our city continues to grow, I am committed to work with the developers and planning department to make sure that roads, parks, pathways and all infrastructure requirements are in place as they are required.
Your Questions
We asked our readers/followers on social media what they wanted to know from City of Airdrie candidates and came up with three questions.
The answers for each candidate will be listed here and posted to airdrielife‘s social media channels on Sept 22 (question 1), Sept 29 (question 2) and Oct 6 (question 3).
Editor’s Note: The answers below are completely unedited and appear here exactly as they were sent to airdrielife via email.
1. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action published 94 “calls to action” urging all levels of government — federal, provincial, territorial and aboriginal — to work together to change policies and programs in a concerted effort to repair the harm caused by residential schools and move forward with reconciliation. Which of the Calls to Action do you believe the City of Airdrie council should focus on?
I believe the City of Airdrie should be aware of all 94 “calls to action” as put forward by The Truth and Reconciliation Commission but I believe there are only 9 that could or may be acted upon by the City of Airdrie. The call to action I feel we would have the most impact on is #66 which reads “We call upon the federal government to establish multi-year funding for community-based youth organizations to deliver programs on reconciliation, and establish a national network to share information and best practices.”
While this call to action is directed to the federal government, I feel the City of Airdrie may have the opportunity to partner with our local youth organizations to raise awareness and encourage conversations with youth about reconciliation.
2. How would you work to improve arts and culture infrastructure and opportunities in the city if you were elected?
As a Council partnering with the Library Board we need to insure that our new Library will have the space available for local Arts groups, to display or perform weather it be inside the building or outside in the Courtyard. We need a strong group to come forward with sustainable plans for growing a thriving Arts Culture within the City of Airdrie.
3. What is your vision to help progress Airdrie’s economic growth over the next 10 years?
The future of economic growth in our City will depend on many things, we need to keep Airdrie the best City in the Province to Live, Work, and Play. We need to keep our City attractive to businesses, industry, developers, by keeping it affordable to do business here. I think the Downtown Plan that is being worked on right now to revitalize our Downtown is a great starting point to make our Downtown a destination, not just something to drive thru. The new Library is going to be a great welcome from the south on Main St into our revitalized Downtown.