Priorities

Advocating Intelligent Growth
 
We must always strike a balance between the sometimes conflicting needs of a variety of residential development, agriculture, tourism, recreation and community well-being.
 
Our economic prosperity requires intelligent growth of industrial, commercial, residential, transportation, utility and recreational development.
 
Our land and environment, on the other hand, needs to be protected against unbridled growth for the benefit of a few or at the expense of future generations.
 
A good example of intelligent industrial development is the proposed biofuel plant north of Innisfail. The impact on the environment is minimal, the location takes the best advantage of proximity to major transportation routes and there is a potential economic benefit to the grain farmers of the area.
 
Cluster residential development in growth hamlets is also an example of intelligent planning to keep costs of infrastructure down while at the same time, preserving as much agricultural land as possible.

Providing Community Options
 
There are playgrounds for children but our youth, especially those in their teens, need productive options and opportunities for recreation, personal development and community service when they're not in school.
 
A place to hang out, keep fit, productively interact with their peers and use their creativity for the betterment of themselves and the community would tend to keep them away from the more destructive options that are available to them.
 
On the other end of the age spectrum, our society is aging and living longer so there needs to be options for transportation and recreation for those who are retired in the rural and hamlet communities.
 
In the Springbrook area, there needs to be a community centre that is the focal point of the community, especially for its youth. Springbrook, although by far the largest hamlet in the county, is the only community in the county that does not have such a facility.
 
An elementary school is also an increasing necessity for Springbrook and I strongly support the location of the regional high school for the immediate Springbrook area.
 
Preserving Our Varied Heritage
 
Our richness as a society is a result of the diverse culture and heritage of our people whether it goes back 5 years or 500 years.
 
Red Deer County is relatively young but it still has an abundance of history and cultural backgrounds.
 
For the benefit of future generations, we need to preserve that history to the best of our ability so they maintain a sense of where they came from.
 
In addition, heritage preservation is a great tourism generator. One of several great strides that the county has already initiated in this division is the proposed Springbrook Heritage Urban Design Plan which I was privileged to work on and actively support.

Celebrating Our Rich Diversity
 
I value the differences between people whether it be through culture, value systems, education, gender, political or religious persuasion, or experience.
 
Our diversity gives our society a richness that should be encouraged and celebrated.
 
Through mutual respect and consultation, a oneness of purpose develops that creates an environment where the overall result is greater than the sum of its parts.
 
In spite of our differences, people are much more alike than they are different.
 
Maintaining respect for others reduces some of the conflict that occurs when different interests collide. As the city and towns of the region expand, it is important to co-operate while at the same time preserve the values and quality of life that many cherish.

Protecting Our Environment
 
We are the stewards of our land, water, air, wildlife and community.
 
Water resources and natural areas are not as renewable as we once may have thought.
 
As important as development may be to our prosperity, the loss of wetlands, treed areas and other natural habitat will impact our ability in the future to maintain the natural beauty and resources that we value.
 
It is also important that the public have limited and respectful access to water systems and natural areas.
 
One of the great challenges facing us today is how to get rid of our garbage. The proposed plant to turn garbage to gas and other usable products will put the county on the leading edge of green technology in the country.

Promoting Alternate Transportation
 
Private motor vehicle transportation is, and will be for some time to come, the main mode of transportation for residents of the County.
 
There are some urgent needs in the division to keep drivers safe and provide better efficiency. Highway 2A between Penhold and Innisfail is a high priority as is an alternate access to Springbrook from the north.
 
However, to reduce our dependence on private motor vehicles, we also need to seriously consider other types of transportation.
 
Aside from an alternate and economical form of getting around, linking local communities, heritage sites and recreational facilities by constructed trails provides for a healthy lifestyle, recreation, an appreciation of where we come from and the safety of our children and youth by being able to avoid walking or bicycling on busy and dangerous highways.
 
Some trails can be dedicated to walkers, runners and bicyclists while other trails could be dedicated to snowmobiles, off-road vehicles and/or horses depending on the needs and efforts of communities and interest groups.
 
One of the more strategic, urgent and safety-specific trails that needs to be completed soon is the Penhold-Springbrook-Red Deer trail that will ultimately become part of the TransCanada Trail system.
 
On the other end of the spectrum is the need for some form of public transportation and dedicated right of ways that could some day evolve into a mass transit system like light commuter rail or street cars.
 
In the short term, a study is currently under way to determine the viability of much-needed bus service between Red Deer, Springbrook/Airport and Penhold.
 
For longer distances, the Red Deer Regional Airport and the proposed high speed rail between Calgary and Edmonton show great promise for the economy of the area as well as providing options to driving the ever-increasing congestion of Highway 2.

 Support Paul Pettypiece for Division 3 Red Deer County Council
Time for a fresh perspective for the betterment of Red Deer County