John Prince for Mayor
"Time for Change and a new Direction"
"Vote for Change! Vote Prince!"
JOHN PRINCE FOR MAYOR
ABOUT JOHN!
John Prince has already served one term as Municipal Councillor and is presently seeking election to the Mayor's chair. He and his wife Diane of 40 years have lived in the Crowsnest Pass for over 16 years and have developed a strong sense of community. They both are actively involved as volunteers in many organizations throughout the Pass.
With over 20 years in the Hotel and Airline industries, Mr. Prince has a wealth of knowledge and management experience in Hospitality and Tourism, gained from having worked and lived in three provinces. As well, he is a graduate of British Columbia Institute of Technology (B.C.I.T.) Hospitality, Tourism & Business Administration. He and his wife have also been owner managers of several small businesses in the retail sector. At present, he is a Realtor® with CENTURY 21.
Service to the community and a passion for politics along with a firm belief that there's no point "just complaining about things, you have to do something about them" is why Mr. Prince is running for Mayor.
"As a community, we are at a crossroads in time", he says. "New leadership, with vision and a plan to take us forward is what is needed here, at this time. Some people think as a community we have hit rock bottom. I say, if that is the case then we can only go up from here. In this regard, I believe the sky is the limit as far as this municipality's potential is concerned. Tear down the firewalls that have kept this community back and get ready to embrace the world, I say. We really can be all we can be if people here are ready to believe in themselves again. My job will be to bring people and this community together again in a common effort to instill that spirit of 'Mountain Freedom' in God's country, here in the 'beautiful' Crowsnest."
It's time! It's time for a new voice with fresh ideas. It's time for change!
Why I want to be your mayor?
Almost 9 years ago, when I first ran for the mayor's chair, I spoke out about our lack of direction and drive, economic stagnation and declining population. I saw then the problems we were facing and the trouble we were in, if we continued down the path we were on. Since then, as you know, things have only gotten worse. In addition, we now have a huge debt and little to no reserves, needing to borrow in the millions in order to carry us through from one year to the next. Today, I stand before you, once again, to offer my services as a catalyst to turn things around here in the beautiful Crowsnest. It won't be easy, and it will require a full-time commitment for sure, but it can be done. And it will be done! We can turn things around and be all we can be, provided, as I have already stated, we tear down the firewalls that have hemmed us in, all these many years.
I want to be your mayor because I believe in this community and its people and know we can do better than what we have done, provided we all pull together in a common effort. It will be my job to bridge that gap between the old and new and find the common ground from which to build on.
We are the envy of other communities within our region for being second to none in natural beauty and opportunity. Yet to-date, we have not been able to capitalize on either. Below are some of the initiatives that I would as your mayor initiate in order to grow this community once again, as someone would grow a plant or a tree, while endeavoring at the same time to keeping the spirit and friendliness of our community in tact.
What's my platform?
My platform is built on my commitments to you and all residents of the Crowsnest Pass. I am a true believer in maintaining our quality of life, being a good listener and responsive to your needs, demonstrating accountable government and growing your trust. I will work for a sustainable, caring community and a strong business sector.
1) True Believer
I believe that the true benefit of living in the Crowsnest is found in our quality of life.
* Balancing resources for all generations
* User-friendly public services
* Defending municipal-owned utilities
* Protecting our environment
* Preserving the past while promoting the future
2) Responsive
I hear your frustrations with the Municipality, I will
* Ask for your opinion
* Tell you about municipal plans
* Inform you about municipal priorities
* Turn your ideas into action
3) Accountable
As your Mayor, your questions are my questions. I will
* Lead Municipal Council in directing staff through the CAO
* Ensure staff follow council's directions
* Apply sound business practices to municipal operations
* Answer to you
4) Trusted
I will make the hard decisions for the right reasons, there will be
* Less council business in closed sessions
* Greater accessibility to municipal officials
* Cooperation between developers and the Municipality
* Support for your participation in local government
That's who I am. That's why I'm running for mayor and what I plan to accomplish. In addition to the above, I will endeavour to get my council to work together in cooperation and partnership where need be with private industry and with our provincial and federal counter parts, towards specific projects such as:
* Affordable Housing
* Seniors' Housing
* An efficient and all inclusive public transportation system
* A multi-faceted community center (with an indoor swimming pool and exercise facilities)
* Emergency shelters for those suffering from domestic violence and/or in need of transitional housing
* Economic Development/Job creation
As stated, the above list of projects for the most part can only come about in large measure with private industry and/or from both provincial and/or federal government participation. If the latter ignores us and won't cooperate in helping our distressed community it is my intention to setup toll booths at both ends of our community to help fund these projects, and as a result I expect to raise millions of dollars annually for this purpose... or at the very least to get their attention... and/or to utilize other measures along these lines. Obviously, I jest here. :-) But I am serious in impressing upon you, the voter, that one way or another, I will be outspoken and a strong advocate for this community, for in my opinion both levels of government have ignored the plight of this community for far to long. Either by hook or by crook, we will shake things up and get things done! Like they say, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease". Well, I plan on doing a lot of "squeaking", if you know what I mean. :-)
Summary
It's now time to hear from you, our residents, young and old, newcomer and old-timer. Tell me what's great about this municipality and where I as your future mayor can do better to improve it. I urge you to join in this campaign, get out and support your candidates, come to the public forums and be sure to vote on October 18th. This is a great community it deserves our support! I also ask for your support on October 18 to vote John Prince, the right mayor at the right time.
I look forward to further dialogue with you here by way of email at johnprince@shaw.ca, on the street, or at one of our local coffee houses, or call me direct at 403-564-4518. You can also find me here:
blog.johnprince.ca
John Prince
