The Results

Congratulations to:

Mayor:
Terry Yemen
 
Councilors:
Jay Garbutt
Tom Zariski
Lisa-Hansen Zacharuk
Doug Stanford
Sharel Shoff
Andrew Berdahl

Now the real work begins.

Ed Lehn, Candidate for Town Council

I am Edmund Lehn, 67 years old and proud to call Drumheller home for almost all of those years.  I received most of my public education here, and attended S.A.I.T where I obtained a diploma in Industrial Electrical Technology and spent a number of years working as an electrician in Drumheller after graduation.

I am forward looking, problem solving, results oriented person with a can do attitude and because of these qualities I have successfully owned and operated many niche services in Drumheller, a home furnishing store being the foundation of my  business. I have experience in construction, entrepreneurship, property and business management, retail sales and farming.

My endeavours have allowed me to quietly support numerous organizations in their goals of creating programs and opportunities, that will enhance the quality of life for every demographic in Drumheller.

The benefit of electing me to town council is I bring with me years of diversified experience,  obtained during my years in the workforce and as a resident of our community. I want to give back to the community that has given me so much.  Helping to reshape our economy toward a sustainable future and develop policies encouraging responsible development will ensure town spending is in sync with what our residents can handle.

I have the courage to stand up to the special interests and the integrity to represent Drumheller  with honor. My campaign office is open at Greentree Mall in the former registries, so please stop in for a visit and I would be delighted to speak with you.

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So who's it going to be?

Make sure you vote!

Election Day October 18, 2010

VOTE!



Make sure you do your democratic duty and vote on Monday October 18, 2010 in the Drumheller Civic Election.

Where to Vote

Click the link to see where you vote on October 18, 2010 in the Drumheller Civic Election.

http://www.dinosaurvalley.com//files/drumheller/web_map.pdf

October 14, Wildrose Sponsored Forum

The Drumheller Inn was the site for a Wildrose Alliance sponsored perspective Town Council forum. There were some heated statements and great points brought forward by the general public and candidates alike. My impressions of the candidates was generally good with a spattering of scepticism in spots. It helped make things a touch clearer for me and now I know where I'm putting the X's on my ballot.

Anyone that would like to share their experience and impression is welcome to submit comments and I will publish them. As the publisher of this blog I feel it would be inappropriate for me to offer my opinion on any of the candidates.

Thank you to the Wildrose Alliance Party for the opportunity to voice our opinions.

www.wildrosealliance.ca

Tom Armstrong, Candidate For Town Council

Tom Armstrong for Council

Bio:

I was born in Calgary April 5 1946; I moved to Wayne in 1954 and have lived in and around Drumheller for most of my life except for an 11 Year Stint in the Royal Canadian Air force from 1966 to 1977 as an Airframe Technician.  I have worked at various jobs in Drumheller including 12 years as the Head Mechanic Welder for the City Of Drumheller. I owned and operate Aries Auto & Diesel Repair for 10 years. I am a past President of the Rosedale Recreation Society (5 years). My hobbies are looking after my yard, computers, golf, fishing, and old aircraft.

I am Open, Honest, Straightforward, and I do what I say I will do.

These are some of reasons I am running for council:

I am committed to revising the water rates, we are paying too much. As well I will get to the bottom of the poor water quality at different times of the year and at different locations in town, this needs to be fixed.

I would like to increase the access to downtown businesses and parking for the for the local shoppers and the tourists as well, the system of no left turns by the Dinosaur, Tasty Delight, and on Railway Ave need to be addressed.

We need to have more recreational opportunities for our youth. We need to help replace the skate park that they lost to the new Community Facility. We also need to revitalize the beach at Newcastle, there has been nothing done to repair the damage caused by the flood.

Now that construction of the New Community Facility has started we need to concentrate on making this a self-supporting facility so that we do not see an increase in taxes in the future.

I would bring my experience as former employee as well as my life experience to council and I believe that I could make a positive difference in the way that Town Council interacts with the ratepayers of the town, I also believe that I could be very effective in representing the citizens of Drumheller in the future decisions that will be required of Town Council.

Please Vote on Oct 18

Thank you

The Forum

Please share your experiences and impressions of the candidates from this evenings forum at the museum.

Feel free to leave a comment or two.

Forum Tonite At 7:00 P.M.

there will be a Civic Election Forum tonite at 7:00 P.M. at the Tyrrell Museum. All Candidates and the Public are welcome.

Blaine McDonald, Candidate For Town Council

With a varied background, Reverend Blaine McDonald is committed to continue to bring his best to the council table.  He’s been married to Kimberly since 1993 and has four beautiful girls: Arianna 16 Sophia 14 Isabelle 12 and Rayna 5.  Blaine works with EPT (Elim Pentecostal Tabernacle) as the Pastor of Ministry Development and, in addition, the McDonald family serves as advanced foster parents, having cared for over 50 children in the last 16 years. 

Diverse university education illustrates flexibility:

Bachelor of Practical Ministry (Wagner)

B.P.Min. Christian Studies

Bachelor of General Studies (Athabasca)

BGS in Psychology and Theatre Arts

Masters of Arts (Trinity Western)

MA in Philosophy and Apologetics

A real estate/banking/mortgage and theatre artist background, not-for profit involvement all lead to a balanced approach in working with a purpose on a team, seeking creative solutions to complex problems.

In addition to serving as EPT’s Pastor of Ministry Development Blaine has had involvement in a variety of work in the Valley including working as GM and Director of the Canadian Badlands Passion Play, driving school bus (Briggs and Cardinal 1^st Bus) and handibus (The Valley Bus), various construction (Drumheller Concrete) and driving jobs (Classic Cabs) in the agriculture (Rosgen Farms) and oil industries (Sarge’s Oilfield). 

Blaine has volunteered for all sorts of things such as The Drumheller Regional Hospital, Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Board, Aquadinnies Swimming, Travel Alberta’s Regional Tourism Board, Drumheller Dragons and so on.  He is a member of the Drumheller Ministerial Association as well as the Evangelical Pastors Association and has spoke at various events, conferences and churches.

Such a wide range of background doesn’t make Blaine an expert, but it gives him a balanced approach to representing our community …

For Strategic Progressive Growth…

For more information on Blaine's Platform click here:

http://www.connectdrum.com/

Doug Stanford, Candidate For Town Council

Drumheller Civic Election All Candidates Forum

When: Tuesday, October 5 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm
.

Where: Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
.
Why: Time to ask those burning question - decide your future now!
.

Facebook Link To This Event:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=144560575580423

Tara Semchuk, Candidate For Mayor

My name is Tara Semchuk and I have called Drumheller home for the past 14 years. I am a local business owner and mother of three children.

I have always believed in making a difference in the community. By volunteering I feel a sense of accomplishment both in helping groups reach their goals and knowing that I am making a difference in other people’s lives.  I am currently serving as Chairperson of the   Downtown Drumheller merchants association, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, I work on the Town of Drumheller Economic Development Task Force, and I am member at large for the Girl Guides of Canada.

My past record of volunteering includes: 25 years with Girl Guides of Canada, Drumheller Fun Team, , Alberta Arts Day, 2010 Olympic Red Mitten Campaign, Paint the Town Red campaign, Titans Football Minor ball,  Drumheller Valley Ski Club, Canadian Ski Patrol, Central School parent council, Greentree School parent council, Drumheller Composite High School parent council, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Kidney Foundation, Diabetes Foundation and the 1988 Calgary Olympics.

Professionally I was able to finally realize my dream and open my own store, Bits and Pieces Keepsake Quilting, on January of 2007. 

Before that from 2004 to 2006 I worked as an office administrator for the Goldenhills School Division at the Drumheller Composite High School.

2000-2004 I was the General Manager at The Drumheller Valley Ski Hill.

From 1998 to 2000 I worked for Q 91 Radio in sales, administration, and marketing. 

From 1986 to 1993 I was an employee for the Royal Bank of Canada.  Customer Service, Administration of Mutual funds, RRSP’s and balancing of internal GL accounts.

I strongly feel my work history has given me the experience I need to carry out the duties of Mayor of   Drumheller in a professional and fiscally responsible manner.

  

I have made the decision to run for mayor as I believe I can make a difference in our community. I have great expectations for Drumheller and I have realized that municipal politics is an opportunity to Improve the quality of life for families (like my own) and the community.

What I hope to accomplish as Mayor:

Listen and be a voice to all citizens of Drumheller.

Encourage sustainable growth & development of our community

See to the completion of the community facility within the budget and timelines already established.

I look forward to representing the residents of Drumheller and the town as we work together to make Drumheller the place to live, work and play for many generations to come!

Sharel Shoff, Candidate For Town Council

I have been elected to council for the Town of Drumheller for two terms.  The reason that I entered municipal politics is because I wanted to have a voice in the way our town was being administrated.  I consider myself a people person and I am always willing to listen to the citizens and try to find a solution to any concerns that they bring to me.
My family migrated to Drumheller in 1912.  I am a third generation citizen. I am proud to be living in Drumheller and have raised my two children here.  I believe that this town has much to offer for all citizens and together we can make it even a better place to live. On October 18 please VOTE Sharel Shoff for councillor.

It is a great experience to work with various levels of government and learn just what is necessary to make our town operate more efficiently.  To make an informed decision on any matter there is much reading to become informed about any issue.  Example: Infrastructure which includes water, waste water, roads, utilities, parks, buildings, and recreational facilities.  Community services is another department which is composed of programs offered, rentals of facilities, school programs, bylaw enforcement, economic development.   Finance dept is another large learning curve,  to know where your money as taxpayers is spent. I have just touched on a few items, there are many more not mentioned.

A Message From: Terry Yemen, Candidate For Mayor

Council was presented with a draft of operational costs related to the new Community Facility at Monday's council meeting.  The estimate provided was $280.000.00 per year for the operation of this facility.  With the formulas in place the estimate is a $60.00 increase in property tax for every $100,000.00 of assessed value.  I am not convinced that a tax increase is the only solution.  The Town currently has just under a $15 million dollar operating budget. If revisited objectively, I believe a good portion of the operational costs could come from the current budget.  To simply say that the taxes need to increase is not fiscally responsible or good governance.

Zrinko Amerl, Candidate for Town Council

My name is Zrinko Amerl and I am running for a position of a councillor for the Town of Drumheller. I came to resurrect the local Ski Hill, but in the process I fell in love with the Valley and its people. Last year I moved my family here and now I am making Drumheller my permanent home.

In 2007, I moved from Kananaskis Country to bring a new lease on life to the Ski Hill and while working closely with The Ski Hill Club and Canadian Passion Play has acquired the Hill with a plan to make it a major year-round activity centre in the Badlands.

With my Provincial and International regional development experience, I strongly feels that he can bring his know-how to position Drumheller for the future. What Badlands has to offer is next to none, scenery that is unique, scenery that we can market worldwide with tremendous tourism potential rivalling that of our Mountain Parks but I do caution that if not carefully managed tourism can overrun us and hence we have to learn on mistakes other Towns have made and build ours maintaining lifestyle we are accustomed to!

Bringing taxes and water rates down through controlled tourism growth is just one of the issues I want to tackle. Our children and our youth need expanded programmes to be included in the life of Drumheller and to have positive personal growth within; from day cares to youth programs.

One day I envision a leisurely one hour commuter train ride that will bring our children back for weekends from schools, bring tourists into Town, will connect us to Calgary in the way all modern regional Towns should be! I started the private initiative to put into our hands our stretch of CN railroad going through the Town, we need to get behind this initiative and invite prosperity into Town.

Why Not” is my slogan as I believes it is time for us to stop asking “why should we do that”, or “why should we allow this”! I believe that it is time for the Town to open its doors and invite private investment, open its arms and invite progress into Drumheller. After a couple of decades of constant population declines and cost of living increases, this is a must for survival of Drumheller!

I respectfully ask for you vote to represent you and your best interests in the Town of Drumheller!

  

Zrinko Amerl

And The Candidates Are............

The nomination deadline for the October 18th civic election was Monday September 20, 2010 at noon.

At total of 15 residents are running for election. There are 13 candidates for the position of councilor and 2 candidates are running for the mayor’s position.

Candidates for Mayor

Terry Yemen (Profile and platform listed below)

Tara Semchuk

Candidates for Council

Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk (Profile and platform listed below)
Bob Hannah

Zrinko Amerl

Tom Armstrong
Andrew Berdahl

Jay Garbutt

Ed Lehn
Blaine McDonald
Mike Hansen
Sandy Brown

Tom Zariski

Sharel M Shoff
Doug Stanford

Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk, Candidate for Town Council

Contact Information

Candidates

If you are a candidate please submit your platform and profile through this blog or by e-mail at

electdrum@hotmail.ca

Citizens of Drumheller and Area

If your just a citizen with a comment or point of view please feel free to contact me through this blog or by e-mail as well.

The Purpose Of This Blog

This blog is to inform the citizens of Drumheller about the issues and candidates running in the 2010 civic election.

The Rules

Any comments you wish to leave please feel free to do so, please keep it clean or you will not be published.

Comments WILL NOT be censored for content in any way shape or form.

 
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Terry Yemen, Candidate for Mayor

Hello,

My name is Terry Yemen and for the past four years it has been my pleasure to serve as your Drumheller Town Councillor.

I am now asking for your support as I run for the position of Mayor of Drumheller

My family is in its fifth generation in the Drumheller Valley and have been here since 1928 when my grandfather, Jock Pennycook, immigrated with his family from Scotland with his wife Elizabeth and three small daughters. My wife’s family is also in its fifth generation in the valley.

I was employed at the Drumheller Institution until my retirement in 2005.

Currently, I sit as a board member for the Chamber of Commerce, Atlas Coal Mine, Drumheller & District Seniors Foundation, Drumheller Stampede & Ag Society, the Town of Drumheller Disaster Services and Weed Control.

During my tender as town councillor I have voted on the issues with what I believe to be the best interests of the people of Drumheller in mind. I have voted with a common sense decision making process as you can see by my voting record. When it comes to property taxes there are always two options; to increase taxes or to reduce costs. I did not see sufficient evidence of administration making any reduction in costs and as a result I voted for only one 3% tax increase this term.

When council approved a 25% wage adjustment for a position I was the only person to vote in opposition to this motion, three months later I again voted against a 5% annual increase for the same position. Although I did not vote in favour of these motions they were both passed by council.

When council voted to approve the highest bid in a contract providing energy to the Town of Drumheller, I voted against it.

In a world wide recession with real estate prices dropping, I again voted against the purchase of a property well over the appraised value, council passed and the property was purchased.

I voted against implementation of parallel parking because I felt there should have been more discussion between the Town and the stakeholders.

I voted against spending $240,000.00 to change a softball diamond in Rosedale to a baseball diamond. Fiscal responsibility would suggest that if there is no identified need; the money should not be spent. For a quarter of a million dollars, we could have a “state of the art” skateboard park which would be the envy of towns across Alberta. This is only phase one for this ball diamond relocation and it could end up costing as much as $400,000.00; money which I am not willing to spend.

My intent in running for mayor is to effect some positive change for the Town of Drumheller that would give the taxpayers true value for their tax dollars. I will continue to vote with the best interests of the PEOPLE of Drumheller and will provide you with transparency and accountability.

Terry

For more information about Terry Yemen check out this link:

http://iamdrumheller.com/Default.aspx?alias=iamdrumheller.com/terryyemen

The Water Issue

                                                    

Some residents in Newcastle had a surprise Monday night when they turned on their taps and saw a muddy river of water flowing from their fixtures and this isn't the first time. The lack of information flowing from town hall is irresponsible and dangerous. This water could be potentially lethal for anyone with health issues. The fact that they have not officially warned residents of water quality issues is a cause for concern. Perhaps the provincial Health Minister should show some interest in this issue considering the potential for disaster.

The water quality issues will certainly be front and center in the 2010 civic election as well it should be.

Drumheller Mail related story:
http://www.drumhellermail.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8950:more-water-woes-as-line-break-irks-newcastle-customers&catid=13:headline-news&Itemid=228