Content provided by 99.5 Drum FM: 

We have asked the same five questions to all of the candidates of the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills riding to provide a profile for voters in our area.

Please provide background about yourself:

I am from just north of Hussar. That is where I grew on my ranch with my parent. I am a fourth generation Albertan and rancher. I went to school in Drumheller after they closed the Hussar School. I worked at 99.5 Drum FM for three years on and off or so. I have also worked in and around the area of Three Hills and Drumheller for my whole life. I am currently finishing my degree up in Camrose at the University of Alberta's Augustana Campus, and I will be finishing my Bachelors of Management with a Major in a Business Economics in the spring.

What is something that you stand for?

I stand for the development of rural communities. I am very passionate about rural Alberta and continuing to grow the prosperity for all Albertans, especially us here in rural communities. That includes dealing with some of the issues that are unique in our constituency, such as rural crime. That is one of the biggest things that we are going to have deal with here, and that poses a real problem. If I had to stand for absolutely one thing it would be for the development and investment in our rural community.

What do you feel is important for our constituency?

I touched on rural crime. The fact that is increasing in both frequency and severity and is something that really needs to be addressed and needs the attention of all levels of government. There needs to be a cooperative action between us. We all have a role to play in solving the issue. People have to feel protected, people have had enough of the way things are. In order to find solutions, we need to devote some attention to it. It is a complex issue that stems from economic and social issues. Although there are all these things that contribute to the problem, we need to find a solution quickly in addition to the systemic problems that are causing it.

How do you plan on helping your constituency?

My biggest thing is being open and available to my constituents. I know it sounds cliche but it is something that I don't think many politicians have done a good enough job of is valuing the constituents and valuing that it is our role to represent them. You have to be open and available to consultation and dealing with your constituents and dealing with those concerns because you could be up in the legislature in Edmonton and be hearing policies and platforms from others, but you have to make sure that works for your constituents. That is one of the biggest things I am going to ensure if I am elected. I am going to ensure that the policies and platforms that are being suggested in Edmonton, are going to work for the constituents of Olds- Didsbury- Three Hills first and foremost. Forget about parties and ideologies, my absolute number one concern is the constituents of Old- Didsbury- Three Hills and if they are unhappy with something I stand with them first and foremost.

What inspired you to become interested in provincial politics?

This may sound a little corny but it would probably have to be my dad. We always grew up watching tv, and heavily involved in watching politics keeping our ears on it. So I have always had that instilled in me since day one. I have always been sitting around the kitchen table with my dad with other ranchers and farmers, just talking politics because it is something that impacts all of us as Albertans. I think that just being dedicated to the province and dedicated to the prosperity of our fellow Albertans, is one of the things that has inspired me is the ability to help my fellow Albertan and bring some positive change to our province.