EMAIL:        vote4me_terrylee@yahoo.ca

 NEIGHBOURHOOD I LIVE IN:    Lancaster Green

Other areas I have lived in Red Deer:  Red Deer County, Glendale, South Hill & Deer Park

A BIT ABOUT TERRYLEE

I am originally from The Shuswap in the BC Interior. I then lived in Kamloops, Calgary & Kelowna before moving to Red Deer 18 years ago.

Troy and I have been married for 16 years. We have a 14 year old daughter: Kali-Ann. My mom, Marlene, lives with us. She is retired now and volunteers in the community.

Troy is the General Manager and one of the owners of the Burnt Lake General Store. Many of you will also know him as President of Red Deer City Citizens’ On Patrol Program. Troy’s parents, Harry & Geri, have been well respected business entrepreneurs in Red Deer for over 40 yrs. Harry is still a Commercial Realtor & Geri continues to work part-time in the family business.

The work done by our non-profit sector is very important to me as my volunteerism reflects. It is testament to my understanding and support of the amazing effort and dedication from the volunteers, committees, programs/agencies.

I have many interests including traveling, RVing, kayaking, riding my bike, golfing, spending time with my family and friends, walking my dogs, reading, documentaries, movies and my volunteer work. I like to challenge myself and enjoy organizing & planning things.

PASSIONATE ABOUT CRIME PREVENTION

I have been a victim of crime more than once. I can relate to those who are dealing with issues in their neighbourhoods. For years I’ve spoken with the residents in Red Deer about crime, their neighbourhoods and their overall sense of safety in our City. I have worked with individuals, associations, groups & businesses to find solutions that create safer neighbourhoods. I am the current Chair of the City’s Crime Prevention Advisory Committee. I am also on a Committee working towards a more vibrant and SAFE downtown. I would like to see Downtown as an active, inviting destination rather than a drive through from north to south and east to west. 

Having enough RCMP Officers is crucial and is important for safety in our City. In my experience one of the best ways to decrease crime is to take ownership of your neighbourhood! Know who belongs so you know who does NOT! Criminals don’t want to be in neighbourhoods where people know each other, where neighbours talk to each other, kids play road hockey, basketball, soccer, ride their bikes, play hopscotch… Criminals move freely in areas where residents mind their own business and don’t know each other. Not reporting suspicious or criminal activity sends a message that this behavior is tolerated in your neighbourhood. Although we can’t eliminate crime – we can create neighbourhoods that are less attractive or desirable to criminals.

This year, the three most common safety related concerns I hear about are:

Break and enters, vandalism, theft from vehicles, stolen vehicles, mischief, graffiti...

Report your tips & information to the RCMP 403-343-5575 or anonymously at CrimeStoppers 1-800-222-8477 or www.tipsubmit.com  Report a problem to the City online at www.reddeer.ca Join Neighbourhood Watch and get to know your neighbours www.nwatch.ca. Citizens on Patrol are looking for more members:  Pick up an application at the downtown RCMP Station or email the President, my husband, Troy Ropchan troy.ropchan@telus.net 

Suspected Drug/Party houses, grow ops, drugs/prosititution on our streets, drugs in schools

If you are dealing with a suspected drug/party house or a grow op – please report this information to the RCMP 403-343-5575.Check out www.nwatch.ca to find out steps you and your neighbours can take when dealing with this in your neighbourhood. Neighbourhood Watch also explains how to use SCAN (Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act) to deal with residences/homeowners that you suspect may be involved in criminal activity. You can report anonymously to SCAN at 1-800-960-7226 or  www.scan.alberta.ca. There are also many things that can be reported to City Bylaws as well - unkept yards, excessive garbage and more... These are sometimes big signs that something more is going on! You can report these things online as well www.reddeer.ca 

Speeding, racing, loud exhausts, careless driving, distracted driving (cell phone/texting), crosswalk safety and impaired driving.  

Check out the City of Red Deer Traffic Safety Action Plan online on the City’s website www.reddeer.ca.For some interesting facts and information – check out www.saferoads.com. Also, The LEADRS Program www.leadrs.comcreates awareness to improve traffic safety. They currently have a three year Driver’s Challenge for Red Deerians that you can check out on their website.

EXPERIENCED WITH THE NOT FOR PROFIT SECTOR & TIGHT BUDGETS

With a family-owned business, my family and I are critically aware of the impact of the recession and the need to be fiscally responsible. Tight budgets are a reality with the economy still in recovery from the recession.

I am always cognizant of the value of a dollar and my thoughtful spending comes from experience with Non-Profits, operating programs on shoe string budgets, establishing needs vs wants and the work involved in Fundraising. These programs & agencies provide valuable services in our City but they have no guarantee of what funding will be available to them from year to year. That presents a lot of challenges!

In the Non-Profit Sector we realize that just because something has always been done a certain way – doesn’t mean it should continue to be done that way especially if there is a more efficient or cost effective method for how it can be done.

I would like to see Council have more input into the City Budget. Even small budget amounts can eventually add up so having a standard review and analysis of both large and small budget items is both practical and necessary. Additional time will be required for Budget discussions and spreading those deliberations throughout the year would be useful but will require Council positions to be full-time. 

I will always look for the cost savings to ensure Red Deerians continue to get great value for their tax dollars.

CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT

The first phase of the Environmental Master Plan is great. I look forward to the final plan and all that will be achieved because of it!

There are always opportunities to learn more and do better where the environment is concerned. Personally, as I learn more, I do more! Our family is discovering that even our small choices can have a big impact on the environment!  It’s important that we continue to look for alternative choices. When good environmental options are made easy and accessible to residents they will use them!

I think back to when recycling was a new concept. Today almost everyone uses their blue box!! I would like to see more items that we are able to recylce. I would also like to decrease the number of bags of garbage allowed per week and increase the size of our recylce bins. If more emphasis is put on recycling then residents will recylce more!!

Sidewalks are another issue for me. I want sidewalks on both sides of main streets. Inparticular I would like to see sidewalks on both sides of 30th Avenue & 32nd Street and a sidewalk on 19th Street that goes all the way from Inglewood to Gaetz Avenue. Our commercial areas and main streets are not very inviting for those who would like to walk or ride their bikes.

Traffic concerns like speeding and distracted driving make it a difficult choice to ride bikes on our city streets. Drivers are not used to sharing the lanes! Kelowna, BC has done extensive work with bike lanes. When I lived there and when we vacation there - I ride my bike everywhere!! Yes there are a few months each year when bike riding is maybe not an option but I do think there is enough good weather to justify having bike lanes and/or wider trails/paths/sidewalks added to encourage more residents to ride their bikes, use their blades and for kids to ride their skateboards to/from school and activities.

I will support the continuation of our incredible park & trail system. Red Deer is the envy of many communities! Adding the links in each neighbourhood keeps this as a priority as Red Deer continues to grow.   

I will support area plans that maximize green spaces, allow for Community Activity Centres, are designed to slow vehicles down, offer the most child and youth friendly options and are the most environmentally responsible.

SOME OF COUNCIL'S CHALLENGES:                         

ENGAGE RESIDENTS to attend Open Houses, volunteer on Committees, take part in events and increase the number of voters in municipal elections! As a Councilor,I value your input and will seek opportunities to speak with you about your concerns.

TRANSPARENT GOVERNANCE will always be one of my priorities. What the City does and how they do it should be transparent to residents. Transactions with and by the City must continue to be above reproach.

SAFETY in our neighbourhoods, on our streets and in the downtown core continue to be priorities for residents. I will support and encourage community driven initiatives and solutions. I have seen first-hand the power of the people and the positive impact made when residents take ownership of their neighbourhoods. As a member of Citizens On Patrol, I am very in tune with what is happening in our city and our downtown core. I will continue to work towards solutions that create a safe, vibrant, active downtown and will support projects and initiatives that encourage sustainability & economic growth.  I will also support plans and initiatives that are designed to slow vehicles down in our neighbourhoods.

SENIORS concerns are important to me. Through my mom and Troy’s parents I see some of the challenges facing our seniors. I will be proactive and support seniors’ issues at the municipal, provincial and federal level. I think Council needs to always be aware of the impact of increases on taxes, services, utitilies and how those amounts added together can impact a Senior's ability to stay in their home. People who are on fixed incomes can NOT just come up with more money!

YOUTH are full of energy and ideas! There are a lot of great kids in Red Deer. I will look for opportunities to promote and encourage the positive contributions from youth. I will also support initiatives, programs designed to help “at risk” youth and their families. The new Youth Centre is long overdue and much needed in our city. I am really proud of our City’s recreation options however, I feel we are lacking in low cost, affordable after-school options for youth looking for something other than sports/athletics. As a Councilor I will be very supportive of initiatives/options that meet these needs. 

 With the support of Troy & Kali-Ann and our commitment to Red Deer, we hope that you  will support me by voting on October 18 2010.

Please email: vote4me_terrylee@yahoo.ca 

                 If you would like to help with my campaign:       

“Vote for Me” buttons? More Brochures?

Want a 1’x1’ sign for your yard?

Would you like a window sign?

Can you help monitor my signs?

Volunteer at the Market with me?

Help hand-deliver brochures with me?

Please note: you must include your FULL NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS or PHONE NUMBER with each comment. Your name will be displayed with your comment; your contact information will not.