From the election to budget deliberations, to citywide rezoning, to a water crisis, the only constant I have faced as your new Ward 4 representative is change. But that’s okay, because a desire for change is something I heard loud and clear from you and your neighbours during the election.
Whether it’s broken sidewalks, potholes, infrequent buses, recreation facilities in need of updating, or even aging water pipes, Ward 4 has been underserved by a status quo that has left our infrastructure behind compared to other parts of Calgary.
On my first day at Calgary’s historic City Hall, I put infrastructure as the top priority on the whiteboard in my office. Every day, when my team and I meet to discuss your needs and those of your neighbours, that is the word we see first.
The latest break of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main only highlighted that as the right choice.
But I know that delivering efficient and cost effective city services means making hard decisions and not passing the buck.
As a former community association president—your community of Winston Heights–Mountview—I know the importance of someone stepping up to take responsibility for making things better. Through the election, you selected me to be that person.
This is a Council that can no longer afford to kick decisions down the road. We need to make the big decisions that will shape our city over the next four years, so that we’re not just jumping from crisis to crisis.
You deserve to know why decisions are made and how they will affect your community. This needs to come from me, your Ward 4 Councillor, and from City Administration, who are tasked with delivering services to Calgarians.
That is why, when I cast a vote in Council that affects Winston Heights–Mountview, you will hear about it, and you will know why I voted the way I did.
And when we ask City managers to make the improvements required in the next four year service plan being created later this year, you will know what improvements you can expect for your community.
I’m going to need your help in making the right decisions for Winston Heights–Mountview. You are the expert in your neighbourhood. I plan on attending as many community meetings as possible and taking as many phone calls as needed from neighbours so I can hear directly what you’d like to see improved. I also want to hear from you through my website at djkelly.ca, or by emailing [email protected].
Together, we will make our part of Calgary the best in the city.
