A Brief Bio

I have lived in Innisfail and area since 2001. I am proud to call Innisfail my home! My wife and I raised our two children in the community. I have been an active member of the community throughout the years. I recently retired and spent over 33 years in the education system. I was an Associate Superintendent with Chinook's Edge School Division for the past 19 years. During that time I was the Associate Superintendent in charge of People Services (Human Resources) and for the past 10 years I was the Associate Superintendent of Corporate Services. I was responsible for the following:

• Working closely with the elected school board trustees (organized Board Meetings and Board Committee Meetings)

•  Participating in Board / municipality meetings (including with the Innisfail Town Council)

• All contract and legal issues 

• Overseeing a $140 million dollar budget

• Overseeing the implementation of the Capital Plan and taking  the lead in the design and building of several schools including the complete modernization of John Wilson Elementary School

• Working with the administration from the 13 municipalities within the school division including the Town of Innisfail

• Working with the Innisfail Town Council to build the new Innisfail High School gym and making it larger to accommodate community use

• Developing Joint Use and Planning Agreements with the municipalities including the agreement with the Town of Innisfail. 

Why am I running for Town Council?

I feel that my experience and skill set will make me a valuable member of the Innisfail Town Council. I am running because I feel I can draw on my experience and background to make decisions that are in the best interest of the Town of Innisfail. Now that I am retired, I have the time needed to commit to being on Town Council. I am a person who makes well thought out decisions and believe that the decisions I make on Town Council need to represent those that elected me not my own personal opinions or beliefs.

What can you expect from me if I am elected?

You can expect me to represent the people who elected me. Not every decision made by Council can seek input from the members of the community.  However, any major decisions (or potentially controversial decisions ) and policy implementation should first seek public input. This public input should be used to guide the Council when making decisions. No decision made by Council will ever align with the wishes of 100% of residents but it should align the majority of the residents in the community.

The most important thing any Town Council does is pass an annual budget. The budget drives everything. The budget determines the funds to provide services and outlines infrastructure / capital projects in the community. However, governments at all levels (including municipalities) need to develop budgets that try to avoid increasing tax rates on residents. The default position should not always be raising taxes. Council and administration need to examine everyway possible to develop a budget that does not increase taxes. All programs, services and budget lines need to be examined carefully for potential efficiencies. Increasing taxes should be an absolute last resort when developing and approving a budget.

Council needs to promote our community. One way to increase the revenue in a municipality is to increase your tax base by growing your community. Innisfail has so much to offer families and individuals of all age levels.  Amenities like the twin areas, curling club, indoor pool, one of the best golf courses in Alberta, the ski hill, wonderful walking trails, the public library, ball and soccer diamonds, a hospital and close proximity to the major centers of Red Deer and Calgary make Innisfail a wonderful place to live. Increasing the residential population would lead to an increase in commercial opportunities with the Town. One way to attract people and businesses to the community is through a competitive tax rate which ties back to my comment above about the budget. 

Councils need to work closely with the surrounding municipalities and government  organizations like School divisions to make sure tax payer dollars are being spent in the most effective way possible. The duplication of services is a waste of tax payer money and partnerships that work to reduce the duplication of services will benefit all tax payers.

How Can You Contact Me?

You can send me an email at electshawnrusselltowncouncil@gmail.com