In order to get to know the candidates a little better, XM105FM prepared the following three questions and e-mailed them to all the candidates:
- What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Drayton Valley town council?
- From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Drayton Valley?
- What is your number one promise to residents?
There are 12 people running for town council in Drayton Valley: Sean Akins, Bill Ballas, Colin Clarke, Rick Evans, Amila Gammana, Thomas McGee, Andrew Miller, Darren Pinkoski, Isaiah Rye, Monika Sherriffs, Alvhon Snow, and Richard Snow.
Sean Akins
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Drayton Valley town council?
Hello! Thank you for your inquiry. To start off let’s talk about my 3 main goals and why I decided to run.
I decided to run because I wanted a well-rounded council, so no matter who became our mayor that the direction our town went would be in the best interest of our town first. Since I run a business in this community it is vital to my survival as it is for most that we as a town find ways to prosper and control our spending etc. I have my red seal in Automotives, however for most of the last 15/20 years I have either been managing/ branch building for other people or running my own businesses. I have had businesses in the oilfield, agriculture and currently now a Snap-On franchise. I have had 4 businesses over the years: two in Alberta and two in Saskatchewan. I am an efficiency guy. I made a career out of being efficient and good at managing people. I have been everything from the mechanic to the area manager/operations manager. I have taken courses for safety management to team leadership and management. I believe my past and current experiences bring value to our future council.
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Drayton Valley?
My platform is focused around business growth, accountability and unity within the town and with our county.
Business growth is big to me. I believe we as a team need to fill our business sectors empty stores again. More businesses, more jobs, ideally more families moving into our community.
We also need accountability, where are we spending, why are we spending, should we be maintaining or borrowing to build, etc…
Unity is my last one. Why are we and the county not a team? Without that relationship we limit our potential. Without each other we can’t fully utilize our available options. I don’t know why we are at odds but I believe both us and the county need to make it a priority to resolve it.
What is your number one promise to the residents?
The only promise I believe anyone running for town council should give is to give their best, to put the town’s best interest first while making decisions that affect us all.
You can find out more about Sean Akins from his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Sean-Akins-for-Council-101763058938891
Bill Ballas
Bill Ballas did not respond by our deadline. You can find out more about him at his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/BillBallasDraytonValley
Colin Clarke
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Drayton Valley town council?
I am passionate about Drayton Valley. This is my home and this is where I am choosing to raise my children and where I have chosen to work.
I have been in high level positions at numerous companies in Alberta and have gained a real sense of budgets, accountability, and have developed critical thinking skills as a result. I believe these to be three of the most important things any individual can bring to the table with respect to a Town Councillor position.
With 20+ years experience in oil & gas and considering Drayton Valley is primarily reliant on oil and gas activity, I can relate to a good portion of the people living in this town.
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Drayton Valley?
COVID-19 related issues aside, I believe the four key election issues are:
- Budget – this is always important. Maintaining a fairly clean balance sheet is key, and especially with municipalities. A poorly managed budget can turn a community into a less desirable place in a hurry. I believe this is likely the biggest issue facing every Council.
- Inter-Municipal Relations – the relationship between the County of Brazeau and the Town of Drayton Valley has been a long standing issue. With the potential for new, fresh faces on both sides with the upcoming election, I am hopeful and confident that constructive collaboration between both municipalities can be increased and mended.
- Economic Development – as Drayton Valley is heavily reliant on oil and gas, it has never been more apparent the Town (and County) need to focus on economic development like never before. That being said, there are a myriad of efforts related to this important topic, but, have not seen anything in recent memory that has come to fruition that had meaningful impact on Drayton Valley directly as a result of Economic Development and taxpayers dollars spent in this respect.
- Seniors – there have been great strides taken in recent years with respect to seniors in Drayton Valley. This has made Drayton increasingly attractive for seniors from outside of Brazeau County and Drayton Valley, and have seen quite a few seniors moving to Drayton as a result. I would like to build on what has been done to date, keep focusing on the needs and wants of the seniors in the Drayton Valley area and be a champion and voice for this age group.
What is your number one promise to the residents?
Accountability.
Under “accountability” you can lump transparency, hard work, ethics, and a commitment to the community to hold the best interests of Drayton Valley at the forefront of every decision that I am accountable for.
You can find out more about Colin Clarke from his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/ColinClarkeDVTownCouncillor
Rick Evans
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Drayton Valley town council?
I have worked in senior management positions within a municipality for 20 years including the last 14 plus for Brazeau County while living in Drayton Valley. I think my varied experience in the operation, maintenance, repair and management of infrastructure along with some time in Planning and Development give me unique experience that transfers directly to an effective member of Town Council.
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Drayton Valley?
The issues that I think are important for the Town to thrive are economic development with better cooperation in this with the County. I personally will also be focused on receiving better value for our taxpayer dollars invested in the many projects the Town does every year.
What is your number one promise to the residents?
I promise to be approachable and available to the residents and to give them a voice on Council.
You can find out more about Rick Evans from his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Rick-Evans-for-Drayton-Valley-Town-Councillor-104707615312577
Amila Gammana
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Drayton Valley town council?
I am an incumbent councillor with 4 years of experience as well as more than a decade of experience running a successful IT business. I am an IT professional with a B.Sc. (Honors) in IT. Also I have lived in our great community for more than 15 years and rising a family here.
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Drayton Valley?
Health , safety and security of our community, improving economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs and bringing new industries to Drayton Valley, Making our community an inclusive community with excellent standard of living for newcomers to settle here in our great community.
What is your number one promise to the residents?
I will continue to work as hard as I can to move our community forward with outside the box thinking and dedication. Also I will keep bringing a different perspective to the table.
You can find out more about Amila Gammana from her Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/GammaDV
Thomas McGee
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Drayton Valley town council?
- DV councillor 1983 to 1989 / 6 years
- DV Mayor 1989 to 1998 / 9 years
- Alberta Energy Regulator/ Calgary / 1998 to 2016/ 18 Years!
- DV councillor/ 2017 to 2021 / 3 years
- Being a municipal elected official, closest to the people, an honour for sure!
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Drayton Valley?
I would just say that my focus will be on, the economics of our community, working with our local businesses, our growth will come mostly from within!
We as elected officials will need to stand up and support, not only with dollars, but also with assistance and encouragement!
Secondly, I would like to see our community come together, to look at our seniors, like me!
Are we accessible, do we have the necessary facilities and infrastructure to retain and attract seniors to our community!
We need to look at the possibilities and opportunities for jobs, training!
A community inspired by our children, grandchildren and grandma & grandpa!
Thirdly, our relationship with our neighbours in the county, is a most serious issue!
We need to reach out to better understand our differences!
We are a community of 14,000 people, working together, we can be so much better!
This doesn’t mean amalgamation, it means joining forces, walking together, approaching our provincial government with a determined focus on our future together!
I am looking forward to a future, that includes more kindness, we need to see what we have and who we are, and be more grateful!
I hope my words will resonate, further, than just answering questions!
I would urge everyone to recognize our democratic process, so special!
Please come out and vote for your candidate of choice!
You can find out more information about Tom McGee at his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063789382207
Andrew Miller
Big West Country could not find any contact information for Andrew Miller
Darren Pinkoski
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Drayton Valley town council?
Other than about 10 years (when I was briefly a reporter in Fort Smith NWT, and then newspaper editor in Bonnyville for nine years), I have lived my whole life in Drayton Valley. Having lived through where we’ve been helps develop a path for where we go.
My work history includes:
- Nine years in occupational health and safety
- 13 years in newspapers, which includes 4 years as a reporter with the Drayton Valley Western Review (90-94). 15 if you include my time at the Frank Maddock High School newspaper, the Mad Duck Press.
- Nine years in graphic design
- 10 years as a member of the Brazeau Regional Tourism Board.
- 40 years in photography
- Lifelong lover of hot sauce (this one is more of a passion than an occupation)
All of these skills – safety, graphic design, photography, media, communications (ESPECIALLY communications) – can be put to good use for the town.
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Drayton Valley?
For me, it’s all about economic development. Oil and gas are finite resources so at some point the last economically viable barrel of oil will be pulled out of the Pembina field. We need to develop other sectors so that when we can no longer count on oil and gas to support the region we’ve long since developed other opportunities. Tourism is the most obvious sector that needs to be further developed.
What is your number one promise to the residents?
I’d like to look into the viability of some initiatives which may or may not come to pass. Examples include:
- Look into hosting regular events/festivals, and what kind of events. For example a Children’s Festival.
- Look into developing the south parking area at the intersection of 50 Street and Hwy 22 to expand tourism services
- Look into the viability of a business incubator facility.
You can find out more information about Darren Pinkoski at his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/darrenfordrayton
Isaiah Rye
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Drayton Valley town council?
Working with very diverse young people through leadership events! Being able to own and run a successful business. Collaborating on boards such as the DVCF (Drayton Valley Community Foundation).
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Drayton Valley?
People need to know their vote is valuable!!
The well-being of our kids and grandkids.
What direction Drayton Valley will move towards. Manufacturing, new technologies, tourism, sporting events.
What is your number one promise to the residents?
I promise to never stop bragging about Drayton valley and the people it has to everyone I meet! We need to showcase Drayton valley more.
You can find out more about Isaiah Rye from his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Vote-Isaiah-Rye-108845818235855
Monika Sherriffs
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Drayton Valley town council?
I do have background in business and banking, which I think would be beneficial to being one of the town councillors as I am good at budgets, balances and financial planning.
I also have lived in Drayton for 20 years, have raised a wonderful family here and made lifelong friends.
I work as a waitress and love it as it truly gives me opportunities to talk to people of this town and hear concerns and also lots of positive opinions.
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Drayton Valley?
As far as key election issues go, I’m honestly not sure. I was surprised to find out I was the only female running for town council, a bit more of a balance would have been more encouraging but I’m not at all worried.
People have a fair choice in voting and whatever the outcome of the election is I’m sure everyone wants best for this town and its people .
What is your number one promise to the residents?
My number one promise to the residents is concentrating lots of our town’s budget on road repair.
I am a daily driver of 50th Avenue and am absolutely shocked that it has not been properly fixed yet.
Also the line painting in this town needs addressing.
Also being open minded to bringing new business ideas to Drayton, we have so many empty retail and business spaces it’s depressing.
We need new ideas and entrepreneurs to speak up and expand our town’s economy.
You can find out more about Monika Sherriffs from her Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/monikad80
Alvohn Snow
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Drayton Valley town council?
I spent most of my spare time in Drayton Valley volunteering for different groups.
I believe that my years of volunteer experience, on the many boards that I have served on, would be an asset for council.
I believe that my work experience, dealing with issues between company and client, investigating incidents and accidents, enables me to dig deeper to find solutions.
As CA president I had to chair a room full of people with different views from opposing parties. It was a challenge and we came together with a stronger CA than the two separately.
I feel that my work experience as well as my years on different boards gives me the ability to listen to other points of view and work through any issues that may arise.
I feel that would make me an asset on council and in collaborative dealings with the county as well.
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Drayton Valley?
The questions I have been getting from residents are about mending the fences between Drayton Valley and Brazeau County, promoting tourism, and building diversity to promote Drayton Valley in the future. I have also been hearing from residents about the mandatory vaccines and the “vaccine passports”. I think the most important election issue is to be accountable to the residents of Drayton Valley, to listen to their concerns, and bring those concerns to council.
What is your number one promise to the residents?
My promise is:
With every issue or opportunity that comes before council, I will hold myself accountable to, and vote for the benefit of Drayton Valley.
You can find out more about Alvohn Snow from his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/alvohn.snow.for.council
Richard Snow
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Drayton Valley town council?
My answer to your first question is that I am honest and straight forward, I tackle things head on and don’t try to hide what I am doing. I know my background and skill set is not the typical you see in a person running for town council but I think that is what makes me so right for the job because my road to where I am in life is completely different than those of the other candidates.
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Drayton Valley?
For the second question, I think the key issues in this election are mandatory vaccinations, budget, and the town relationship with the county.
My stance on mandatory vaccinations is that people have the right and freedom to choose what to put in their own bodies. This doesn’t mean I don’t believe in vaccinations or that they work it just means I believe every person has the right to choose what is right for them.
My stance on the budget is we need to prioritize our spending on maintaining our existing infrastructure (buildings, roads, sidewalks, etc.)
My stance on the town relationship with the county is that hopefully we have new faces on both sides and we can sit down and come together putting egos aside. Because it is not a matter of them winning or us because if we go forward together everyone wins.
What is your number one promise to the residents?
The answer to your third question is; my number one promise to the residents of Drayton Valley is that I will always make decisions based on what I think is best for Drayton Valley, and always be open to listen to what people have to say.
You can find out more about Richard Snow from his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/richard.snow.7564
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