Pipestone Flyer
Q: What is your basic platform?
A: Accountability and real democracy. The Alberta Party started because there are a lot of people who are frustrated and disengaged with the current political situation, which shows up in the low voter turn out. I feel that democracy in Alberta is being done in a lazy manner by the current government. Our party is trying to get away from the old ways of politics, such as divisive Party politics. We should be working together for our constituents. Policies should be created through boisterous discussion at kitchen tables and coffee shops.
Q: Are there any rural issues specific to Leduc County that you are focusing on?
A: Yes, I would concentrate on lobbying for a ring road around Beaumont. Currently 50th Street that goes through the center of the city is slated to become a major truck route for large vehicles that will be transporting dangerous goods. Trucking dangerous chemicals through the center of a city where there are families and children walking and living is not a viable option to me.
Q: What do you think your Party offers voters that the others are lacking?
A: Accountability and openness. Everyone worked on their own dime in order to form this party in 2009. We formed with Albertan's biggest concerns in mind. We need to change the conversation in Alberta from what's wrong, to what we can do to make it right. Things are built from vision and dreams and we want to support good ideas no matter where they come from.
Q: What qualities do you as a person, bring to the table that would be a reason to vote for you?
A: I'm not a politician, I'm politically active. Politicians get paid and I have never been paid a dime. I want my province to work well. This is the best place in the world to raise a family. I'm a regular Albertan who is hardworking and loves to volunteer.
Q: What changes do you see for Leduc and County over the next four years?
A: I see a continued explosion in our area. With Port Alberta and Nisku, private businesses will spend money to be here. However, we really need to spend some of that money on our infrastructure. Our schools and roads are going to be in bad shape if they aren't improved. We have great economic opportunities here but we will also have great dissatisfaction from the people if the infrastructure does not keep pace.
Q: Do you have any specific concerns for the upcoming election?
A: I am overjoyed that the current government feels they actually have to campaign for this election, and I credit the Wildrose Party for that. I am sad that the media chooses to focus on the negative press between the two major parties as opposed to the positive things the Alberta Party is doing. It's time for people to stop voting to prevent what they are frightened of, and start voting for what they want. Hopefully we will be the Party that surprises everyone on election day!
Q: If you had to name the single most important issue you want to deal with if you win the election, what would that be?
A: Getting our infrastructure up to speed. We don't want to continue to play catch-up like the last 30 years. We also need to work with our cities and County so that the infrastructure is placed where the people want it as opposed to where government dictates it should go. We don't want to pave over any more of our quality farm land.
Q: If in order to win the election you had to get up and sing a karaoke song, what song would you choose and why?
A: Let me tell you a little story....I lived in Japan for ten years, and every day after work for eight months my friends were bugging me to go to karaoke with them. Finally I went and sang the only song that was available in english, which was the song "Yesterday" by the Beatles. That was the last time they ever invited me to karaoke. So the moral of the story is, be careful what you wish for!