Thank you to all supporters and other candidates.

I really want to thank everyone for the support.  I am one vote but my vote is the voices of Cold Lake.  We need to focus on getting Cold Lake back to the community that it once was.  Growth will always be a huge challenge and we need to make sure it is done in a efficient manner.  I look forward to working with all the elected council and mayor.

MP Brian Storseth meets with Cold Lakers

On October 12th Brian Stroseth came to Cold Lake for a town hall meeting.  There were some interesting questions which were brought up including work Visa's and imigration.  I asked Brian about the regulation of Provincial water and how the Canadain Government monitors this.  I personally would like to see the best independent scientists in Canada regulate any lakes, streams or rivers that industry uses for thier water supply.  This would insure that all water in the Provinces and Canada stay clean and safe for future generations.  Brian said that there will be a group of scientists forming to study the Athabasca river up near Fort McMurray.  I told him that this group of scientists should study all bodies of water that industry uses and he agreed, and he hopes the Province can develop a monitoring system.

Alberta Government relies on large companies to do lake studies

I contacted the Alberta Government last week to find out how much water was taken out of the lake through licenses and after getting the information I asked how they regulated the amounts.  They told me that they rely on the scientists that are payed by the large companies to do sustainability studies.  I asked if they had anyone that is considered an expert in the field to help regulate the Provincial lakes and the amounts used and the government said NO!  I find this very unacceptable that our Province is relying on big companies who are profiting from our natural resources to do all the research.  Big companies should be taxed a research fee so that the money received from the tax can be used by the Government to hire experts to monitor these natural resources.

My Promises to Cold Lake

My name is Darrell Mac Donald.  I was born and raised in Cold Lake.  My father was John Mac Donald and he was the president of Cold Lake minor hockey when the Cold Lake North Arena was built. Cold Lake has seen many changes over the years and I feel I can make a positive contribution to the development and growth of the City. I will do this by:

•    I will listen to the citizens of Cold Lake to find out what they would like as priorities.  I will be      accountable to the public.

•    Focus on sewer and roads.  Every tax payer should have the basics and not have to worry about whether their sewer will back up with every storm

•    Monitor and regulate Cold Lake water usage to ensure that Cold Lake water does not become contaminated or depleted.

•    I will try not to increase taxes.  Instead I will continue to lobby both Provincial and Federal Governments for infrastructure money.

•    I will continue to create green spaces and or parks that can be used by the general public.  This can be accomplished by asking developers to reinvest property or money into the City of Cold Lake

•    I will finish the major projects that previous councils started.  Arena’s  and twinning of the hi-way and make sure they stay within budget.

What makes me qualified to make decisions about the spending of taxpayers dollars and the level of services we receive?

What makes you qualified to make decisions about the spending of taxpayer dollars and the level of services we receive?”

I have many attributes that make me very qualified for making decisions that affects Cold Lake Citizens.  I have 2 University Degrees: Physical Education – Major Coaching and a
                  Education Degree

Both Degrees have given me experiences and practice to ensure I do the right job.    My first degree in Coaching has given me the training in how to look at problem and find a solution.  Some solutions being easy to fix and others taking time to find a resolution. 
My job as a teacher gives me lots of experience with dealing with budgets and people.  I must work within a budget and utilize all possible resources to deliver the most for our students.
 In 1995 I started my own English Languge School in Japan.  Within 6 months I was able to hire a second teacher and make a great income.  Being an entrepreneur in Japan I was able to learn how to balance expenses with revenue.  I am very proud to say that my school is still operating in Japan, even though I have sold my shares.

I have grown up in Cold Lake and will live here a long time.  As a citizen I want to ensure that Cold Lake grows in the right direction.

I leave you with this quote by Helen Keller: " I long to accomplish a great a noble task; but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble."

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.