All seven candidates for the Ward 1 byelection have answered MyMcMurray’s profile questions.
Some responses have been edited for length and clarity without changing the meaning / content of the candidate response.
The Ward 1 byelection is Monday, Mar. 30, 2015.
Polling stations are located at Ecole St. Paul School, Holy Trinity High School, Suncor Community Leisure Centre (MacDonald Island), and Oil Sands Discovery Centre.
Mike Durocher
Current profession:
Consultant
Campaign Slogan:
“New Ideas; New Energy; Strong Voice”
What would be your focus if elected?
To ensure all of our issues facing the Municipality are looked at from both sides. To look at a policy that creates processes that are clear and transparent.
What motivated you to run for council?
Compassion for our community. The freedom to truly engage with the community and the people of our region.
What unique skills would you bring to the council chamber?
Perspective, deep community knowledge, detail oriented and a strong voice that understands how to work within the governance environment and create change.
What do you think separates you from the other candidates?
Knowledge of business and the understanding of what is happening to our region. How the big picture fits with long term plans for our region and how we need to get there.
What should people vote for you?
A vote for me is a vote for strong governance and advocacy while maintaining balance of our wants versus our needs. A way of looking at topics that puts our region first while looking at our past, present, and our future.
Colleen Tatum
Profession:
Owner / Operator of MXC Automotive Services
Campaign slogan:
Livable, Strong, Ours!
What would be your focus if elected?
I will focus on finding solutions to the problems created by fly in / fly out. We are a community, not a work camp. I’m here to represent the year round residents of Wood Buffalo. I will fight to make sure we get the government services we need, attract the retail a city of our size can support and address the cost of living.
What motivated you to run for council?
I love this city, I grew up here. In this time of economic uncertainty council needs someone with a strong voice for small business and families. As the owner/operator of a small business and a mother of three I am that voice.
What unique skills would you bring to the council chamber?
As a business owner I know how to be fiscally responsible. As a mother of three, I have the compassion to make sure we don’t cut the services that families rely on. Also I am the only candidate with prior council experience.
What do you think separates you from the other candidates?
I am the only candidate with previous council experience. I will be job ready on day one. I will be able to hit the ground running to make sure we can create a Wood Buffalo that is Liveable, Strong and belongs to us-the year round residents of Wood Buffalo.
Why should people vote for you?
People should vote for me because I am the only candidate that was previously on council, is a small business owner, and a mother of three. The issues I face every day are the same that residents of Wood Buffalo face. In this time of economic uncertainty we need to elect someone that is a strong voice for small business and families.
Any other notes?
Check out my website at www.colleentatum.ca. You can learn more about me and my plan for a Wood Buffalo that is Livable, Strong, Ours.
Chris Flett
Profession:
Business agent, Board of Directors for Training Trust for IUOE Local 955
Campaign Slogan:
Forward with Flett
What would be your focus if elected?
My focus would be the expansion and maintenance of current infrastructure, taking advantage of a soft labour market. Utilization of the local labour pool to keep community members working.
What motivated you to run for council?
Love for my home and a desire to make our community a better place.
What skills would you bring to the council chamber?
Conflict resolution experience on multiple levels, arbitration experience, negotiating experience, organizing and chairing meetings, comfortable public speaking, calm under pressure. I listen, absorb and respond accordingly. Ability to relate to front line workers and senior level management.
What do you think separates you from the other candidates?
My passion for our community, my work experience. Working in the mining industry I have a unique perspective and can relate with many of our citizens on the daily commute and long hours away from home.
Why should people vote for me?
You should vote for me because I am a hardworking, locally raised member of this community that has and always will have our communities best interest at heart. I believe I have the skills and desire to help this community move forward.
Monte Vickerson
Profession:
Manager, ATCO Gas Fort McMurray Operations & Community Relations
Campaign slogan:
This is home
What would be your focus if elected?
Bringing needed businesses and services as well as focus on current businesses and best ways to support them.
What motivated you to run for council?
I had an immense amount of support encouraging me and believing I had a passion for the community.
What unique skills would you bring to the council chamber?
Creativity, the ability to think outside of the box and then express it.
What do you think separates you from the other candidates?
Having an ear to the Community, Director Chamber of Commerce, Director Arts Council. President of Non-profit Boards.
Why should people vote for you?
A person that will listen and not be afraid to speak up and be heard.
Any other notes?
This is home slogan refers to everyone that comes to Fort McMurray to make a better life, it is not about how long you are here, it is about while you are here…This Is Home.
Veronica Doleman
Profession:
Early Entry Program Teacher & School Health Facilitator at Father Turcotte School
Campaign slogan:
Actions speak louder than words.
What would be your focus if elected?
My biggest focus will be continued communication with residents. I will be active on social media, my ask Veronica YouTube segments will continue and I will advocate to be part of a Councillors Corner so that residents can have a conversation face to face about the issues that concern them. I believe my job as a councillor is to try to hear as many residents as I can.
What motivated you to run for council?
In the 2013 General Election I decided to run because I knew the residents of Fort McMurray were ready for a change. I firmly believe I bring valuable insight and a different perspective to the table that hasn’t been there before.
What unique skills would you bring to the council chamber?
I have a variety of board experience with Keyano College, Fort McMurray Boys & Girls Club, and the Alberta Teacher’s Association Local 48. I have shown in these positions that I am not afraid to ask tough questions while being respectful of my colleagues. As an Early Childhood Educator I bring knowledge about the needs of child care programming in Fort McMurray.
What do you think separates you from the other candidates?
I have shown my commitment to the community through volunteerism. I started at the soup kitchen when I was ten years old. I devoted my time and energy to Santa’s Anonymous & Mayor’s Advisory Council on Youth. I attend community events in order to show support to organizations I believe in. I am committed to furthering my knowledge, my skills, and my experiences so I can contribute more to this community.
Why should people vote for you?
I think if residents are looking for a different voice they should vote for me. Many people know me because I am out in the community and they recognize my face; this is because I give my time and energy to this city in order to help make it a better place. I am a critical thinker that considers all of the information before making a decision.
Any other notes?
I invite you all to participate in Ask Veronica; my YouTube segment where I answer questions from residents. You can tweet questions @veronica4ymm, text me 780-880-8683, Facebook Veronica 4 YMM or email veronica@veronica4ymm.ca. Please visit my website www.veronica4ymm.ca
Verna Murphy
Profession:
Freelance writer
Campaign slogan:
Passion and Progress.
What would be your focus if elected?
Building relationships for a stronger community, so that it can be developed the way that the residents need and want. Those relationships include the province, Ottawa, local businesses, investors, and also our social profit network in town. With communication and cooperation Fort McMurray will be one of the most desirable places to live in the country.
What motivated you to run for council?
By writing about issues and events and people over the last number of years, I wanted to run for council to try to be part of the solution of the problems, but I also wanted to bring a strong voice that has been learning about all these things for years.
What unique skills would you bring to the council chamber?
I have always been very proud of not allowing my ego to work its way into my decision making process. I think that will be a tremendous skill to have on council. We have to remember that with every decision there is a huge human component, and I would definitely bring that piece to the discussions at council.
What do you think separates you from the other candidates?
It’s hard to say what makes you different from the other candidates, as I believe we are all more alike than we are different. But I would have to say my experience and my life in general has prepared me for being on council. I have not missed watching all the meetings held for council over the last two years. I have studied council, committee meetings as well as administration meetings. I will be able to jump into the discussions, because in many ways I have already been a part of them for years.
Why should people vote for you?
I have shown through my work in the last few years that I am not afraid to ask the hard questions. Through my work in the community, people also know that I work very hard and give everything I have when I am committed to a task. I want the chance to show Fort McMurray that a hard working woman with a strong voice can make a difference in her community.
Mohammad Dogar
Profession:
Businessman and entrepreneur
Campaign Slogan:
Financial accountability, Integrity, overhauling of the council, and minority well fare.
What would be your focus if elected?
My focus will be to bring more open dialogue about regional issues on the table and ensure voices of all minorities are weighed in decision making. I would stress on financial accountability with more public audits. Fort McMurray being a small town needs to see more community involvement by its Councillors and that I intend to do.
What motivated you to run for council?
I want to help people out from a platform where difference can be made. Fort McMurray has given me lots of opportunities throughout the years and it is time for me to payback with my time and efforts towards residents of Fort McMurray.
What unique skills would you bring to the council chamber?
Having come from a different country, I bring a new perspective to the table. My experience as a lawyer and Army veteran gives me necessary skills to administer and govern.
What do you think separates you from the other candidates?
I belong to a minority group and the challenges of being so are not faced by our regular council. I intend to close the gap of disconnect between minority groups and government, something ignored by council members in the past.
Why should people vote for you?
They should vote for me because my experiences, skills and passion to help people puts me in a prime spot to understand and uplift Fort McMurray. I understand community issues such as bad roads / infrastructure, loose spending of municipal government and challenges faced by new workers to Fort McMurray. I am easy to approach and driven to deliver high quality work.
