Twenty-one-year-old Rachelle Reed wants to see change in the community and she is ready to take matters into her own hands.
The Mount Royal University student said she has always complained about things she didn’t like in the community and, during this fall’s municipal election, she has decided to do something about it.
“I wanted to run because I am in university for social work and I think social work goes hand-in-hand with politics,” said Reed.
Reed has been in post secondary for three years and has four years left. She said politics has interested her since the last municipal election in 2007 when she attended the candidates forum.
“That really turned me on to it,” she said.
Reed has lived in Airdrie since she was three and graduated from Bert Church High School in 2007. She currently goes to post secondary and holds down two jobs.
“I know my age will seem like a disadvantage at first but there are also a lot of advantages that come with youth,” she said.
“I haven’t had the experiences that make me biased like someone older. I am more accepting of things and I don’t have any ‘old-fashioned’ views. There are some things I could handle better than someone older, like youth issues. I have a different mindset on different issues.”
She said her many responsibilities have taught her how to prioritize her time.
“I can’t procrastinate so I get things done,” she said.
Reed said she would like to see more options for youth in the community.
“I would like people to stop pointing the blame at us,” she said.
“We are not a bunch of hooligans, most of us are good kids, and there are only a few bad apples.”
However, she said her focus wouldn’t only be on the young.
“I would like to see more things for seniors as well,” said Reed.
“I want this to be a great community for my parents when they retire.”
Reed said she is aware that every service has a cost and it will be difficult to find a balance between the services the City needs and determining how to pay for them.
“Growth has really started to slow down so we should lay off infrastructure,” she said.
“The crucial things we need are a hospital and a post secondary institution to bring people to Airdrie.”
Reed will concentrate on curb-side recycling, taxes, road construction and doing things right the first time if she is elected.
She said although there are some services the city needs, for the most part, Airdrie is a great place to live.
“I have grown up here and it is a wonderful city,” she said.
“I feel safe and comfortable walking around at night. Genesis Place is amazing and the small businesses really give it a small-town feeling. Lots of different people are attracted to our city and I want to make sure it stays that way.”
Reed said she would make a great alderman because she is young, fresh, approachable and her heart is in the right place.
“I have a lot to bring to the City,” she said.
“I want to be face to face with people, knocking on doors. I want to know the issues and help people.”
