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Films, head offices should be pursued

Sandra Kim says other communities lead, Wetaskiwin not following
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City by-election coverage

Submitted by Sandra Kim

My name is Sandra Kim and I am asking for your vote for Wetaskiwin City Council on September 11, 2019.

After living in Wetaskiwin for 40 years I, like other have seen a great many changes. Unfortunately, over the past few years, there has been a misdirection of ideas, and as a result, we see an exodus from our City. There is no reason for our youth to stay in the communities they grew up in because of the lack of opportunities, high crime and taxation.

Growth happens is steps. Industrial and Commercial first and second. Think Manufacturing and Offices. Then residential and retail to follow. We have good manufacturing, but lack on the Offices, Residential and Retail growth. I would like us to actively pursue bringing in Head Offices from Edmonton and Calgary, since we are closer to the airport than either downtown center and offer more affordable spaces. We can then begin to use the spaces we have sitting vacant, and positions from Janitorial, to I.T and Administration are able to be employed locally.

Attracting the thriving Film Industry that is taking place here across Alberta is another fantastic way to utilize what we have and make the most of it. Alberta has created incentives that communities can benefit from to increase our opportunities. From Stranger Things, to The Walking Dead and the recent Ghostbusters movie, Wetaskiwin could easily be a contender.

It is well understood that a good local economy leads to lower domestic violence and property crime, and that a poor economy leads to higher crime rates. The simple action of chasing down Head Offices and the Film Industry production, brings in more local employment, reduces the crime, decreases taxation, increases the perception and attraction of our City. I have not received any reasons why these two industries could not be possible.

With Alberta expected to grow by two million over the next 20 years, communities are all competing for the same resources. If we do not start to change our focus to what we really need, and not on bags, idling, and where you place your garages sale sign, we will miss the boat, again.

We need ideas and policies that are effective, not just feel good pats on the back. Those are the ideas, innovations and industry I want to advocate for.

Please visit www.sandrakim.ca for more information and contact me at vote@sandrakim.ca.