Eliah is running for Coaldale Town Council

Yes it's true.  I have decided to become a candidate for town council in Coaldale and would love to have your support.  Here is some information...

ELECT A NEWCOMER WITH FRESH IDEAS!

ELECT ELIAH FARRELL, COUNCILLOR

·         Public Communications professional

19 year career in all three levels of government

·         6 years in municipal government with the City of Lethbridge

·         Coaldale resident 5 years

·         Chair, Town of Coaldale Sustainability Committee – 2 terms

I’M LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY – here’s what I’ve heard….. 

·         When I call Town Hall I get an answering machine.  We’re a small community I should be able to talk to someone who can help me.

·         Our group has put a lot of energy into a great project – we want to be able to talk to Council and staff about how it can happen – not how it can’t.

·         Our group has raised money for a simple improvement, but haven’t  had  the help we need from the Town to get it done.

·         The only way to achieve some of our goals is to roll up our sleeves and work in partnership with our neighbours, other levels of government and community organizations.

·         I don’t understand how Town government works. I need Council and staff  to answer my questions and help me move forward.

·         We’ve missed out on funding for community projects – we need to stay ahead of the curve and work together so the whole community benefits.

·         Dragging our feet on solving water management issues has delayed my development project.

·         We’ve got all kinds of plans – when do we get started on “doing”.

·         We need to renew the downtown

·         What’s the Town’s debt/equity ratio -  how good are we at managing debt.

·         Coaldale is growing – we need to focus on keeping our quality of life in the future.

HOW THE TOWN OF COALDALE CAN BUILD A “CAN DO” COMMUNITY

OPEN GOVERNMENT

·         Make communicating with citizens a top priority

·         Make public documents easily available to the public

·         Provide quarterly progress updates on key projects

·         Actively build partnerships with all levels of government, and community organizations, and share that information

·         Post the names and contact information for  key municipal contacts on the website

·         Have a helpful person answer the phone

·         Make the front reception at Town Hall friendly and welcoming.  Ask “Is there anything else I can do for you today?”

·         Make the upcoming council agenda and background information available on the web and in hard copy.

·         When the public are participating in municipal processes explain upfront how the process works

ACCOUNTABLE

·         Council has a clear vision statement with measureable outcomes for their

3-year term

·         Council reports to the community annually on its progress in achieving these goals

·         Town management should have performance measures that show how effective they have been in implementing Council’s vision for the community.

·         Council reports annually on the status of its three year budget clearly describing the cost of providing services to the community and the status of reserve funds.

·         Council conducts a customer satisfaction survey every three years

MY COMMITMENT TO YOU

·         To work with other members of Council to implement these goals

·         Having listened to the community to come to Council meetings prepared for discussion and decision-making

·         Be on the ground in community working pro-actively to build the partnerships that will achieve your vision for the future of Coaldale.

SINCE YOU ASKED

I have lived in Coaldale for five years and thrive on its rural/urban setting. I chose Coaldale because of the strong community values here, the business services that are available, and the dedicated volunteer community who contribute so much to the quality of life in the community. 

I retired from the City of Lethbridge, as its Manager of Corporate Communications, just over a year ago. I want to use my extensive experience in communications and municipal government to the benefit of the community.

I have two grown sons who both work in the trades. As an “empty nester” (with the exception of a feisty and somewhat over protective dog), I have the time, energy and skills to make a strong contribution to Council and the community.

I’m LISTENING – I’d like to hear what you have to say:

CONTACT ELIAH FARRELL:

Phone:           403 634-7751

Email:             eliah@shaw.ca

Blog: eliah-farrell.blogspot.com

ON OCTOBER 18 VOTE FOR A “CAN DO” CANDIDATE

FARRELL, Eliah        X

LETS WORK TOGETHER