It’s been three years since her first foray into municipal politics and now Rachelle Reed is back to take another run at an alderman seat on Airdrie City council.
Reed’s first run for City council didn’t go so smoothly according the 24-year-old, who was only 21 when she made her first bid for alderman.
“I’ve learned that I need to campaign more and not just rely entirely on social media,” said Reed.
“I’m not entirely comfortable with going door-to-door yet but it’s something I need to do, I need to get my name out there.”
She says her first venture was a learning experience and she received some constructive criticism that she is looking to build off this year.
“I need to be better prepared for the forums, last time my speech ran over time and it didn’t go very well,” said Reed. “I got a lot of emails though from people saying that I need to work on conducting myself more professionally and to take a more direct route when expressing my opinions.”
Reed is a student at the University of Calgary and is studying Urban Studies, which she believes is a great background for municipal politics.
Add to her education the fact that her father Brian Reed ran for alderman in 1996.
“I wasn’t even old enough to vote at the time, but it was a good introduction for me,” she said.
Much of Reed’s platform is centred around the issues of students and young people and she believes that there needs to be more young people involved in politics.
She would like to see a university campus in Airdrie such as a branch of SAIT or Mount Royal University and would also like to see a direct transit route from Airdrie to universities in Calgary.
“Transit in Airdrie has come a long way but it could still use some improvement,” said Reed, who also wants to see more affordable housing in the city along with a 24-hour health facility.
Rachelle can be reached at her Facebook page at www.facebookcom/aldermanreed2013.
