Kerry Towle
Innisfail resident and local business owner Kerry Towle has announced she will be running for office for the first time in the next provincial election.
Having lived in central Alberta most of her life, Towle said that she believes everyone is looking for a change in government, which is why she has decided to run for candidacy for the Wildrose Party in the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake riding.
Towle owns Royal LePage Weber in Innisfail near where she lives with her husband and two daughters.
As a business owner, farmer, and property owner, Towle said that over the last few years she has noticed the current government not taking their job seriously.
“I have lived in Alberta my whole life and believe everyone deserves to be heard,” said Towle.
After spending much of the last two and a half years in hospitals with her bother, Towle said that she believes the overall health system is in a crisis.
If she was elected one of the things she would like to see is improvements in the health care system to make hospitals run more efficiently. She also would like to work towards ensuring schools are better equipped and wants to see residents tax dollars going to better use.
Towle said she also has concerns over the huge costs of the transmission lines and wants to stand up for property rights for rural Albertans.
The Wildrose Party attracted her because of its desire to create better environment for Albertans.
“They have great front line staff. Danielle Smith is a great leader and they are a grassroots party that gives their members free vote. I like what they have to say,” said Towle.
Rod English
After missing a Division 5 Red Deer County Council seat in the 2010 municipal election by just three votes, Rod English was not turned off of politics and is now seeking candidacy for the Wildrose Alliance in the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake riding.
Having lived in central Alberta all of his life, English has familiarized himself with many issues close to the people in the area. English said that he believes what people in central Alberta now need is a voice.
“We need a voice and a vote that is not controlled by legislature, the Wildrose Party allows us to speak for the people in our own area,” said English.
Currently living near Eckville, English has spent much of his working life in the oil industry and was a high voltage substation journeyman for Calgary Power for 11 years. He then started his own oil service company, which he later sold and currently works in the Kussammo Industrial Park near Eckville.
English said that his experience in these industries has given him a better idea of what people in Central Alberta need.
Some of the issues he wants to focus on are creating standardized government buildings and implementing mandatory credit courses in high school to teach students how to manage credit responsibly. He also wants to encourage feedback from locals on what their needs are.
“I believe in groups of farmers meeting and talking to the MLA about things that can help them,” said English.
Although he said he has supported the conservative party almost his whole life he is now disappointed with what has been going on in the party.
English said that he believes the momentum is already there for the Wildrose Party and that it is the only party he saw as a viable option for himself.
“It is time for a new youthful party and this party is exactly that,” said English.
