“Action is my commitment to you; accountability is my promise to you.”
That is Allan Hunter’s pledge to Airdrie residents as he runs for alderman in this fall’s municipal election.
Hunter, 54, is in operations and project management. He says his many years of experience in commercial real estate management, development and construction could be a valued asset on City council.
“Capital and operating budgets in the private sector have to be accurate, on time and on budget,” said Hunter.
“If they are not, you don’t last long in the industry. I am also able to communicate with people and bring opposing viewpoints. It is about weaving the threads together into a strong fabric - something that stands the test of time.”
Hunter has been involved in civic, provincial and federal election campaigns since his early years in the oil patch. He said he vividly remembers losing his job with thousands of other young Albertans when former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau began the National Energy Program.
“I learned after many difficult years of outsider interference in the Western economy that we all have a responsibility for our community,” he said.
“We need to get involved and stay involved to make sure our ideas are heard and acted upon. If we don’t pay attention to what’s going on in the world, it will sneak up on us.”
Hunter says he hopes to get more youth involved in politics and voting, and he is starting with his own family.
“My daughter is my promotions manager who made my brochures and my son is creating my website,” he said, adding his wife is involved in the process too as his campaign manager.
“The decisions we make today are going to affect the youth and their future but there is total disengagement with them when it comes to politics. I am anxiously looking for ways to involve the youth in my campaign. I want to get more 18 year olds to vote than ever before. It doesn’t matter who they vote for as long as they vote. Your vote matters, your vote counts.”
Hunter said moving his young family to Airdrie five years ago was the best decision he has ever made.
“I want a place to continue to raise my family in and to grow old in,” he said.
“When you see people my parent’s age walking down a pathway holding hands, that’s why you build a community. The fabric of the community is the people.”
Hunter said he will do his best to represent those people if he is voted onto council on Oct. 18.
“If you elect me, I will work for you, not the government,” he said.
“I am hear to listen, hear and to act upon, not my personal views, but those of the people that have elected me.”
Hunter said the people of Airdrie need to start holding City council accountable for its actions.
“We need better planning, development and citizen involvement, while remembering that there is only one taxpayer,” he said.
“We as taxpayers must hold our elected officials accountable and that is where the citizens of Airdrie come in. How do you hold them accountable? Four letters: V-O-T-E.”
Why should residents vote for Hunter?
“Vote for me because you are informed about who I am, what I stand for and you trust that I will do what I say and say what I do,” he said.
“Vote for me because you also want a sustainable Airdrie that is sustainable to all parties: the council, the City and the people paying the taxes – present and future.”
For more information on Hunter, visit www.allanhunter.ca
