Red Deer Minute: Mayoral Candidate, Fire Academy, and a Market Partner Sought
Red Deer Minute: Mayoral Candidate, Fire Academy, and a Market Partner Sought
Red Deer Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Red Deer politics
This Week In Red Deer:
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This morning, at 10:00 am, there will be a Council Agenda Review Committee to set the agendas for tomorrow's Special Council Meeting and the February 10th Regular Council Meeting. There will be a City Council Special Meeting tomorrow, but the agenda will not be available until the aforementioned Agenda Review Committee concludes today's meeting.
- Tomorrow, at 5:00 pm, there will be a meeting of the Red Deer & District Family and Community Support Services Board. The agenda includes a Program Specialist Update, Year End Cost Share Actuals, and the Prosperity Project Action Plan. The Committee of the Whole and the Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee will meet on Wednesday, but no times or agendas are available for these meetings yet.
- The Red Deer Downtown Business Association (DBA) is seeking a new partner to manage the weekly downtown farmers market. Challenges such as declining vendor participation and shifting work trends have impacted the market’s success, prompting the search for a new operator. The DBA will provide financial and logistical support, including funding, marketing, and municipal navigation, to ensure a smooth transition. Interested applicants must have or be working toward not-for-profit status and appoint a market manager to maintain Alberta Farmers Market Association accreditation. Applications are open until February 28th, with more details available online.
Last Week In Red Deer:
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Councillor Lawrence Lee has announced his candidacy for Mayor in the upcoming municipal election. Serving on Council since 2013, Lee says he aims to prioritize community safety, affordability, and economic growth. A longtime entrepreneur and business owner, he also holds leadership roles with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Red Deer and District Chinese Community Society. During his announcement, he expressed appreciation for outgoing Mayor Ken Johnston, who recently declared his retirement from public life.
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Red Deer Public Schools announced the launch of a Fire Academy for Grade 11 and 12 students in partnership with the City of Red Deer Emergency Services. Set to begin in the 2025-2026 school year, the program will combine classroom instruction at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School with hands-on training at the Ed Howell Emergency Services facility. Students will earn high school credits while gaining firefighting skills, accreditation, and leadership experience. The academy will accept 20 students per year, with an annual tuition of $2,000 covering equipment and specialized instruction. Applications open in March, with an information session at Fire Station No. 3 on March 11th.
- Red Deer City Council's January 27th meeting covered borrowing bylaws, an electric utility update, and trail lighting concerns. Council passed first reading of tax and fleet borrowing bylaws to fund infrastructure projects, with final readings expected on March 24th. The Short Term Operating Borrowing Limit was raised from $30 million to $50 million to manage cash flow fluctuations while maintaining investment returns. Amendments to the Electric Utility Bylaw were also approved to align with Alberta’s Rate of Last Resort. A motion to install lighting on Montfort Heights trails for safety was unanimously supported, with discussions set for the 2026 capital budget. Additionally, two citizen representatives were appointed to the Housing and Homelessness Integration Committee.
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