Paul Harris

Platform

I believe that City Council should represent, support, and advocate for all of the constituents in Red Deer to help create a city that is healthy, responsible, and vibrant — a city that supports all types of business and helps them thrive — a city that offers and encourages diverse opportunities for arts, culture, and recreation — a city that cares for the natural and built environments.

Leadership — community knows best.

My philosophy:

Listening carefully, encouraging community dialogue, and following through on ideas and initiatives honours community leadership at all levels.   When this works well, it enables positive change in our community.  Great things will happen.

My experience:

In my work as a community facilitator, I am constantly reminded that the wisdom for community health and economic development exists within the community when its members are actively working together.  In my work with Red Deer citizens, as they envisioned the future of culture in Red Deer, it was often expressed that community members know best what needs to be done and how to do it.  As the lead facilitator of this project, I helped Red Deer citizens craft a clear direction for the future of culture and the arts in this city.  I have had similar experiences in many other consultation processes; community does know best.

My commitment as councillor:

• I will provide strong and thoughtful leadership by carefully listening to and responding to individuals, organizations, and businesses in the community.
• I will strengthen the public consultation process.
• I will champion improved communication between the public and the City, and increase citizen engagement with decisions that affect them.

Economic development — cornerstone of health.

My philosophy:

Economic development is about attracting new businesses and helping existing businesses to thrive, but there’s more. It also encompasses the health and well-being of the people living here over a sustained period.  Economic development requires vision, innovation, and creativity. It requires attention to all aspects of the community, with careful attention to amenities that attract and retain skilled workers. People move to cities that are vibrant and alive; they stay because they are happy and have jobs they enjoy that provide good incomes. Healthy communities must be enjoyable to live in, to learn in, as well as profitable to work in.

My experience:

I own and operate Sunworks in the downtown.  Within my buildings, I also lease space to several other businesses.  Through creativity and innovation, I’ve been able to utilize the spaces that back onto the alley to create an interesting cultural space that also increases safety in the downtown.  I’ve acted as a mentor to many business owners throughout my career.  I believe strongly in being fiscally responsible, but also taking calculated risks to improve opportunities for growth.  I understand budgeting and can read and understand financial statements.  As an independent business owner, landlord of both residential and commercial spaces, and community consultant, I’m able to use my understanding of business and facilitation to discover innovative ways for economic development that reflect our unique city and its values.  In the past, I’ve served as a Board Member and Chair of the Downtown Business Association.

My commitment as councillor:

• I will find a way to get the brownfield sites and abandoned buildings back into circulation and contributing to the economy and tax base.
• I will work to find ways of handling community priorities that provide better services for our taxes.
• I will introduce a program to help developers who provide needed amenities within the downtown and other designated districts.
• I will use my business background to enable healthy growth in the business environment that at the same time increases the quality of life in Red Deer.
• I will breathe new life into the revitalization of the downtown and find new opportunities for economic diversification.
• I will help the community become more enjoyable to live in, to learn in, as well as profitable to work in through continued support of quality of life initiatives.
• I will look for and support economic development that reflects our community’s values.

Environmental health — green and aware.

My philosophy:

The health of the environment and the quality of our green spaces are extremely important to our health and well-being.  We must move to protect our natural environment and add to our park systems. We should reward people who try to preserve the environment, and look for ways to better care for the environment.

My experience:

In every public forum and process that I’ve been part of, Red Deer citizens have identified green spaces, park systems, trails, and the way we care for the environment as top priorities. In many ways Red Deer leads the way in creating green spaces and preserving the natural environment.  There are many steady and consistent voices in the community that would like to become even better stewards of the environment.  I helped 1% For the Planet create a special national Canadian initiative that helps Community Foundations offer grants to environmental initiatives.

My commitment as councillor:

• I will support ideas that create a positive change for the environment.
• I will work to protect existing green spaces and support the development of new parks and trails.
• I will support an improved transportation system within the city.
• I will support the design and implementation of bike lanes for commuting.
• I will work to encourage the inclusion of Red Deer in plans for the high speed rail between Calgary and Edmonton, and work to find ways to link it to our city centre and transit system.
• I will push for better handling of our waste and storm water, so that our city water is protected and does not pollute downstream communities.
• I will look for ways to help the community minimize the number of vehicle miles travelled per person.

Quality of life — culture, recreation, sports, arts, & heritage.

My philosophy:

In vibrant and economically healthy cities, culture, arts, and recreation are at the forefront.  These places feel authentic, they know who they are and where they came from, and visitors and newcomers immediately recognize the personality of the place.  Vibrant cities have active recreational facilities and expansive park systems.  Cities that focus on culture, arts, and recreation are places to that people move and where they stay.  The creativity that comes with this focus diversifies the economy and improves quality of life.  Culture, arts, and recreation can be the economic engine of a healthy community.

My experience:

As a business person with a strong interest in culture and recreation, I’ve worked in and with the culture community for over two decades.  I’ve seen the impact of culture and recreation on the economy and quality of life.  As a member of the steering committee for the Culture Master Plan (2003), and then as the lead consultant for the Culture Vision and Outline for Action (2009), I have special insight into the community and its needs.  I’ve participated extensively with the envisioning and development of the downtown planning.

My commitment as councillor:

• I will find a way to help us plan for, fund, and build a cultural, arts, and heritage centre in a location that is easily accessible to community and well-connected to other amenities in the city.
• I will help clarify the vision for the downtown and continue to bring a culture and recreation focus to that vision.
• I will work to ensure access to recreation and culture for everyone.
• I will help us find a way to support the development of an aquatics centre that will meet the needs of the whole community

Social responsibility — caring for one another.

My philosophy:

All citizens of Red Deer are important and should have services to help them achieve a great quality of life.  Access to education, recreation, culture, housing, and jobs is important to each and every person who calls Red Deer home.  Relationships are the single most important part of building social capital.  They help us enjoy the good times and manage the difficult times. Community work is complex, complicated, and multifaceted.

My experience:

I grew up in a family with a strong social conscience; the experiences I took from childhood and adolescence continue to inform my thinking today.  I was an active participant in the development of Red Deer’s 10 year plan to end homelessness and continued to stress the importance of relationships to the health and welfare of everyone, including the most vulnerable.  For the past eight years I’ve been an active Board Member with the Red Deer and District Community Foundation, the past three years as Board Chair.  Through this experience I’ve gained a clear and balanced understanding of social responsibility and quality of life.  During this time I’ve worked with agencies and issues in every sector of this community, from social services to sports and recreation organizations, from community associations and arts and culture groups to environmental groups.  This broad and balanced experience helps me understand the issues and opportunities that affect us all.

My commitment as councillor:

• I will continue to support the community work to end homelessness.
• I will work toward appropriate community-owned housing that does not create problems for other parts of the community.
• I will work to ensure equitable access to recreation and culture facilities.
• I will support the community in finding ways and developing solutions to help the most vulnerable members of our community.