Parker seeks seventh term
Ryan Parker may not be the longest serving Lethbridge city councillor, but he is still the youngest. On Monday, the 42-yearold filed his nomination papers to run for a seventh consecutive term in the October Municipal Election.
“I’ve been fortunate. Since 1998, the community’s entrusted me to be a steward of the community.”
If re-elected, Parker will bring his 19 years of experience but also his “youth and enthusiasm” to the table.
Parker and his wife have had two children over the time he’s served on council. He is a proud father of an eight-year-old and an 11-yearold.
Through the years his values have stayed true, but his perspective has broadened.
“As you get older and as you grow with your family, you see the needs of the community from a different perspective. And you see the issues facing young families and at the same time, facing all citizens, seniors and the youth.
“It’s neat. Your perspective changes a little bit but your values stay true.”
If he is elected to another term, Parker has a few goals. First and foremost, he says, council needs to ensure the City has the proper roads and infrastructure to all the new buildings being constructed. For example, he says it’s great the City is accelerating work on Métis Trail.
“But we just have to make sure we have the proper roads for our new fire hall, the proper infrastructure in place,” he said. Council also needs “to seriously look at this issue of a third bridge in our community.”
“It would take a lot of pressure off both University Drive, Scenic Drive and McMaster, and I think that has a savings in the long term. I think if we can find some funding strategies and leveraging both provincial and federal funds, if we can accelerate that project it would be great.”
Parker is looking forward to the next four weeks of campaigning and connecting with the public.
“Win or lose, the community has been awesome to me. It’s been great. I mean that sincerely.”
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