Calliou for Change - Lacombe 2025

Calliou for Change - Lacombe 2025 Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Calliou for Change - Lacombe 2025, City Hall, Lacombe, AB.

This page shares my vision for Lacombe: safe schools and youth engagement, transparent leadership, strong local business growth, protection of our heritage, and building a family-centered community where everyone can thrive.

10/21/2025

Hello everyone,

I want to start by thanking every single person who took the time to vote…whether you marked my name on the ballot or someone else’s, we all share the same hope for a better path forward for our city.

While the results show that I didn’t come out on top, it truly doesn’t feel like a loss. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the chance to meet so many incredible people…business owners, parents, teachers, seniors, and students; all who care deeply about Lacombe and its future. Those conversations, the laughs, the honest talks in classrooms, doorsteps and in coffee shops…that’s what made this journey so meaningful.

I want to offer my sincere congratulations to Thalia Hibbs and to all the newly elected councillors on a hard-fought and well-earned campaign. I’ve known Thalia for 19 years (our sons are good friends that grew up together, from kindergarten all the way to graduation) and I’ve seen the time, care, and energy she’s given to this community. I look forward, as a taxpayer and a fellow resident, to seeing her lead with integrity and to holding her accountable for how our tax dollars are spent.

More than anything, I hope she continues to listen to the people of Lacombe — all of them — and works hard to address the concerns that matter most to folks across our city.

To everyone who opened your door, shared your thoughts, and let me get to know your stories, thank you. And to my friends and family who stood by me through every step of this campaign…your support, your encouragement, and your love mean the world. I’m so grateful to have had you in my corner.

Thank you, Lacombe, for the opportunity to run and to be part of something bigger than myself. We’ll see you around town 😉

10/20/2025

As the campaign comes to a close, I invite you to watch my final message and reflect on where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re headed next…together.

🎥 “From Our Founding Days to Our Future.”

10/20/2025

As the campaign comes to a close, I invite you to watch my final message and reflect on where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re headed next...together.

🎥 “From Our Founding Days to Our Future."

10/17/2025

Every campaign begins with a platform, a collection of ideas, goals, and principles that define why a candidate decides to run. For many people, that starting point comes from a moment of clarity…realizing that something needs to change, that a community deserves more than what it’s getting, or that the next generation deserves better than what’s been built so far.

But a platform on its own isn’t enough. As a campaign moves forward, it has to grow. It has to shift from what the candidate believes to what the community believes. The real test of leadership isn’t how well you can talk; it’s how well you can listen. The vision for a city’s future should never belong to one person. It should be shared between those who hope to serve and those who call the community home.

When it’s time to vote, people aren’t just choosing policies, they’re choosing a person. A name on a sign or a slogan on a poster doesn’t tell you what kind of leader someone will be. That comes from spending time with them, talking face to face, and getting a sense of who they are. Are they confident but approachable? Are they capable and honest? Most importantly, are they someone who will put the community first, a true public servant rather than a politician?

People often ask me if it’s hard to run for office as a first-time candidate. My answer might surprise you. I actually think it’s harder for an incumbent. Politics seems to follow a cycle. Big promises during the campaign, then the increases and unpopular decisions right after the election. As time passes, the promises start again once re-election comes around. It’s a pattern that depends on voters having short memories.

I’ve always preferred leaders who don’t follow that cycle. The kind of people who simply do the job they were elected to do and let their results speak for themselves. Because if you’ve liked what you’ve seen in the last few years, you’ll likely get more of the same in the years ahead…Leopards don’t change their spots, for better or worse.

That’s why I encourage everyone to take the time to meet your candidates. Ask questions. Get a feel for who they are and what they stand for. You’ll know pretty quickly if their vision aligns with yours.

My vision is change, a shift in the direction to where people feel like they are getting value for their tax dollars. I want to make Lacombe a place where people come to start businesses, raise families, and build their futures. A place that draws people in and a place that our kids will want to come home to.

Leadership isn’t about holding a title. It’s about building a community worth coming back to.

Advance Voting Begins Tomorrow!Every voice matters — but only if it’s heard.Advance voting runs October 15–18, 2025 (10 ...
10/15/2025

Advance Voting Begins Tomorrow!

Every voice matters — but only if it’s heard.
Advance voting runs October 15–18, 2025 (10 AM–8 PM daily) at the LMC

Change doesn’t happen by chance, it happens when we show up, take part, and encourage others to do the same.
Bring a friend, a neighbour, or a family member…let’s make sure Lacombe’s future is shaped by the people who call it home.

10/12/2025

Chamber of Commerce Questions (Part 2)

Question:
Businesses and taxpayers deserve clear insight into how their dollars are spent. How will you improve accessibility, clarity, and transparency of municipal budget reporting and financial decision-making?

My answer:
Businesses and taxpayers deserve to know exactly how their money is being spent—not buried in spreadsheets or hard-to-follow reports. The Municipal Government Act already requires cities to prepare annual budgets, audited financial statements, and make them available to the public. However, meeting the legal minimum isn’t enough—the information also has to be clear, accessible, and easy to understand.

If elected, I would support a more open and user-friendly approach to financial reporting. This means translating complex budget numbers into plain language—showing residents not just how much we’re spending, but why. For example, a "Where Your Tax Dollars Go" breakdown could clearly show how each dollar is divided between roads, recreation, utilities, policing, and community services.

I would also like to see the City’s website updated to include an interactive, easy-to-navigate budget dashboard, where anyone can view spending by department, project, or year. Many Alberta municipalities have already done this, and it’s a simple, transparent way to build trust.

Transparency also means explaining decisions before and after they’re made. When large capital projects or rate changes are on the table, residents should be able to see the options considered, the costs, and the long-term impact. Council reports are public by law, but they’re often written for internal audiences. I would encourage administration to prepare public summaries that highlight the key points in plain terms—so people don’t have to sift through 100 pages of technical language just to understand what’s happening.

In addition, I would push for a stronger report-back process, showing what projects actually cost compared to what was budgeted. That kind of accountability gives taxpayers confidence that their dollars are being managed responsibly.

I would also like to see regular public reporting of mayor and council expenses, so residents can see exactly how their representatives are spending public funds. Many municipalities already do this, and it’s a simple way to show accountability and respect for taxpayers.

Ultimately, improving transparency isn’t just about posting documents. It’s about building trust between the City, residents, and businesses. The more people understand where their money is going, the more confident they can feel that their concerns are being heard and their contributions are respected.

Municipal spending will always involve tough choices, but those choices should never feel hidden. By improving accessibility and clarity, through better communication and simple explanations, we can make City finances something everyone can follow, question, and trust.

Thank you for taking the time to read my responses.

10/12/2025

Chamber of Commerce Questions (Part 1)

Apologies for the delay in sharing my responses to the Chamber of Commerce questionnaire. I wanted to take the time to fully understand the laws and regulations around the City’s current processes before forming my opinions…but time got away from me. Still, I felt it was important to share my answers with the community.

⸻

Part A:
Should the City include a component in its decision-making process that gives weight to a supplier’s locality and/or community involvement?

My answer:
Yes, I believe the City should consider a company’s local presence and involvement in the community as one factor in its decision-making. However, that can’t be the only factor, and it can’t come at the expense of taxpayers.

The City’s first responsibility is to make sure we’re getting the best value for the dollars we spend. That means looking at the quality of the product or service, the company’s reputation and professionalism, safety record, references, and whether they’re in good standing—for example, with the Better Business Bureau or other industry groups.

There are also rules we have to follow. Under provincial trade agreements, municipalities can’t give unfair advantage to a company just because it’s local once a purchase goes over certain dollar limits. But for smaller projects or purchases, it makes sense to invite local companies to quote or give them a small edge when they’re competitive.

Where we can, the City should continue to write contracts and bids that encourage community benefit…for example, hiring local apprentices, using local suppliers, or supporting youth programs. That way, we’re still supporting our local economy while keeping the process open and fair for everyone.

In the end, I believe “shop local” shouldn’t mean “pay more.” It means making smart, fair choices that strengthen our community and ensure taxpayers are getting good value for their money.

⸻

Part B:
What level of involvement should City Council, as a whole or as individual councillors, have with administration in the selection and awarding process for City RFPs or supply contracts?

My answer:
City Council’s job is to set the rules and policies, not to pick who wins a contract. The City’s administration and CAO are the ones who handle the day-to-day business of running the City, including how tenders and RFPs are carried out.

Council decides what needs to be done, how much we can spend, and what priorities matter most, such as transparency, fairness, and community benefit. Once those policies are in place, it’s up to administration to follow those rules and choose the company that offers the best overall value.

Individual councillors shouldn’t be involved in scoring bids or talking directly with companies who are applying…that’s how conflicts of interest and favoritism can creep in, even if it’s unintentional.

That doesn’t mean Council is hands-off. Council can and should review policies, ask questions, and hold administration accountable to make sure the process is fair and the community is getting good results.

So in short: Council sets the direction and oversees the process, while staff carry it out professionally and independently. That separation protects the City, keeps politics out of purchasing, and ensures every supplier—local or not—is treated fairly.

10/11/2025

Experience Comes in Many Forms — Leadership Comes From Results.

Some people ask whether not having served on city council should be a barrier to becoming mayor. My answer is simple: leadership isn’t defined by how many council meetings you’ve sat through; it’s defined by how effectively you’ve led people, managed budgets, solved problems, and made things happen.

In my professional life, I’ve spent years building and leading teams in one of Alberta’s toughest industries: oil and gas services. Every decision carries real-world consequences — safety, budgets, equipment, and livelihoods. I’ve worked in high-pressure environments where planning, accountability, and teamwork aren’t optional; they’re essential. That kind of hands-on, results-driven leadership translates directly into managing a city’s priorities and ensuring taxpayers get value for every dollar spent.

I understand what it means to balance a budget, to make operations efficient, and to earn people’s trust through consistent performance, not political titles. My focus has always been on identifying problems, building solutions, and working collaboratively to get results. That’s the same practical approach I’ll bring to city hall.

Lacombe doesn’t need more of the same; it needs capable, forward-thinking leadership that’s grounded in experience outside the council chamber. Running a business, managing projects, and leading people have taught me how to bring ideas to life, how to listen, and how to act decisively.

I’m not running to learn how government works; I’m running to make it work better.

10/10/2025

Hello everyone, I had some request for more lawn signs and I had a few more done up. If you would like to have one for your lawn, feel free to message me and I can arrange to get you one!

Thank you all for the wonderful support!

Tomorrow marks the last outdoors Farmers’ Market of the season, and I’ll be there from 2–4 PM!If you haven’t had a chanc...
10/09/2025

Tomorrow marks the last outdoors Farmers’ Market of the season, and I’ll be there from 2–4 PM!

If you haven’t had a chance to stop by this year, it’s a great time to come out, stock up on your favourite local goods, support our vendors, and enjoy the energy that makes our market such a special part of Lacombe.

I’ll have a table set up and would love to chat about our community, hear your ideas, or just say hello. Hope to see you there!

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