Lacombe City Councillor Peter Bouwsema says the timing is right for him to run for Mayor.
 
He declared his intentions at a media event this morning (June 8th), saying Mayor is something he's had his sights set on for some time, and with Steve Christie announcing he's not seeking re-election, Bouwsema feels he's ready for the next step after 7 years on Council.
 
Priority wise, Bouwsema says his platform will centre on economic development.

“I believe we are at the cusp of great things coming forward. We’ve seen our economy turned down for the last few years, even in my business I see it starting to go up again and I believe based on conversations with a number of people as well that we’re going to see some big change in the next few years and I’m really hoping to be a part of that and to help make it happen”.

Bouwsema was first elected in 2010 and owns and operates PJB Design Consultants in Lacombe.

He points to Council having already made some great strides to help pave the way for further growth.

“We have gone through the correct procedures in order to get as an example the Lacombe Market Square area approved, Metcalf Ridge which is right beside it, you know there’s already some of the work been done on that, some of the work has also been done on the west area, some of the work has also been done on the north end by Henner’s and all these things have started to contribute towards seeing things move forward”.

It’s that type of economic development which Bouwsema says is key to help take some of the tax pressure off residents.

“I definitely want to see our commercial base grow and that’s going to help our residential side as well, because then we don’t have to rely so much on that in order to provide the taxes that are required in order to operate the city. So that to me is critical”.

Bouwsema says he understands what it takes to run a city, he’s open to discussion, he’s objective and a good listener and he loves Lacombe and giving back to a community that’s been so good to him and his family.

He’s the first to declare intentions to run for Mayor ahead of municipal Election Day on October 16th.