Running for: Sturgeon County Mayor
Division: Division 5
Years resident in community: 14+
Age: 49
Family status: Married with 2 sons
Education: Registered yoga teacher, small business owner, OH&S Small Business Safety Program Building & Auditing, transportation administrator; general, commercial and life insurance broker
Occupation: registered yoga teacher and oilfield service industry small business owner
Email: [email protected]
FaceBook: Alanna Hnatiw for Mayor of Sturgeon County
Twitter: www.twitter.com/alannahnatiw
Q: What was your primary motivation to seek elected office?
I was motivated to run for public office because of my frustration with the current leadership's lack of public engagement in major decisions. I understand we elect our officials to represent us and trust that they will act in our best interest. I became concerned about decisions that were being made without clear communication and a resistance to public input. Collaboration, communication and community are key, but trust is the foundation for that. Many of our residents have lost trust in our leadership and hope for our future.
Q: What skills and experiences have prepared you for this office?
I come from four generations of farmers but have spent the majority of my adult life in the oil and gas service industry as a small business owner. I have taken on leadership roles whether creating a safe work environment or setting standards for high levels of efficient customer service. I have been an active participant and volunteer in Sturgeon County for the past 14 years and I know our most valuable resource is our people. It has always been my belief that that an individual has a right and a responsibility to contribute what they can to their community.
Q: What do you think are the most important issues to the community at large?
We must encourage public engagement, educating one another on the issues facing our diverse communities. Whether it be roads, land use bylaws, water, fire protection, drainage, crime rates, we need to work together to create solutions. We need to have a better understanding of the legacy issues we face and create a plan and a budget to keep our promises. Maintenance and construction of roads needs an affordable and effective plan. We need to encourage sustainable development to create growth in small business and in turn create more jobs for our youth and continue to improve options for seniors housing.
Q: What specific goals will you work to achieve if elected?
I will earn back the trust of our residents by being more open to their input and strengthen two-way communication. A practical side to communication is improving access to rural internet by reducing development permit fees.
We must pursue and shape progress in our region by supporting and inviting small business, secondary industry and value-added processing of agricultural commodities. I intend to be an active voice at the Capital Regional Board (Edmonton Metropolitan Region) to mediate between being a rural agricultural and industrial based economy sharing a border with largest northern metropolitan area.
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