Mike Olesen, CEO of Westerner Park moving downtown to join The City of Red Deer

Mike Olesen joins City of Red Deer leadership team

There is a new face at The City of Red Deer with Mike Olesen joining The City’s leadership team after four years as the Chief Executive Officer at Westerner Park. Olesen will be taking on the role of General Manager for The City of Red Deer on June 19, 2023.“It is difficult to leave Westerner Park as I believe it is a place of strong connection where I have had the unique opportunity to build community here in Red Deer. But I am also excited about the opportunity to work in local government and to have a different kind of impact in the city where I live and am raising my family,” said Olesen.Prior to working with Westerner Park, Olesen was the senior director for administration and workforce for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer. His past experiences include time in Retail Operations for Parkland Fuel Corporation, eleven years at Hockey Alberta in positions ranging from Senior Manager, Operations & Events to Assistant Executive Director, and he holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Royal Roads University.

“I have every confidence Mike will be an invaluable asset to our general management leadership team and to our organization. His drive to build community and the pride for our city aligns with the values of our organization where we put our citizens and businesses at the centre of what we do at The City,” said Lodewyk. “He will be meeting people and learning the many business lines at The City for the first few months as General Manager. By mid-July he will begin his work leading specific departments.”

Related Topics:#CityofRedDeer #MikeOleson #WesternerPark feature

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Get to know your candidates for city council: Calvin Yzerman

2024 City Councilor By-Election / 6 days ago

Get to know your candidates for city council: Liam (The Level) Milaney

2024 City Councilor By-Election / 6 days ago

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2024 City Councilor By-Election

Get to know your candidates for city council: Calvin Yzerman

Published on April 14, 2024

City of Red Deer

From elections.reddeer.ca

About the Candidate

I know Red Deer. I have lived here since 1961. This by-election is a somber occasion for myself and many others in our community as we have lost an irreplaceable community friend and Councillor. Red Deer has been good to our family and has a lot going for it. Our choice location in Central Alberta along the Queen Elizabeth II Highway makes Red Deer an ideal hub to service the rest of Alberta and Western Canada. The Regional Airport is a short drive away. Thank you for taking the time to vote.

Candidate Priorities

Housing and Homelessness	I am hopeful that all levels of Government can come together to solve this urgent problem. Non-profits, and private-sector housing providers can also play a role in developing innovative and sustainable affordable housing projects.
Crime Prevention and Policing	Everyone wants a safe community and crime prevention is a top concern. I support Red Deer’s Annual Policing Plan. I was recently reminded by members of the Social Diversion Team to call 403-406-2200 if you see someone need of non-emergency support.
Infrastructure and Utilities	Infrastructure and Utilities is one of those areas that City residents rely upon everyday. I feel that the City of Red Deer has a strong Strategic Plan in place to address new and aging infrastructure. Spring road repairs could improve.
Public Transit	I feel that The City of Red Deer Transit Network Improvements Project was well designed to address transit service in Red Deer. I also support a modern safe high speed train connection between Alberta’s major Cities.
Restoration of Red Deer EMS Dispatch	Our local Red Deer EMS Dispatch model was top notch and service suffered greatly when the Province consolidated EMS dispatch. I would strongly urge the Province to restore EMS dispatch to its former model.

Contact Information

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Red Deer voters will have many opportunities to cast their ballot in this By-Election. Advance Vote will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from April 18 to 20. Voters will be able to select one of three Advance Vote locations at Parkland Mall, Baymont by Wyndham Red Deer or Westerner Park. The same voting stations will be open for voters from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on By-Election Day, April 22.

Information about the By-Election, including details about where to vote, who is running and how to vote is available on the Elections website at elections.reddeer.ca.

2024 City Councilor By-Election

Get to know your candidates for city council: Liam (The Level) Milaney

Published on April 14, 2024

City of Red Deer

From elections.reddeer.ca

About the Candidate

I was born in Red Deer and grew up between West Park in Red Deer and our Farm west of Bowden. I have been living in Downtown Red Deer for the last 20 years in a historic home built in 1904. In 2022 I ran for City Council because of my Love for the City and watching the history being erased and culture harder to access. I am running now and will continue to do so because I see how with my experience and forward-thinking approach, we can make Red Deer a better place for all.

Candidate Priorities

1. Managing the Fiscal Budget	We are still reeling because of the pandemic. I believe however that there needs to be more scrutiny when it comes to city spending. Management of projects and infrastructure, as well as finding ways to promote businesses to choose Red Deer.
2. Crime and Harm Prevention	Firstly, we need to provide more affordable and facilitated housing opportunities. To get people who wish to be off the streets, providing a safe place to live and grow a family.
3. Incentivizing Commercial/Industrial Business	The fact of the matter is that we need to start transitioning to more renewable sources of power and power production, now. I see these industries hybridizing in a cohesive way. Thusly reducing unemployment and increasing city growth.
4. Encourage Downtown Growth and Community	Our core used to be a destination! Not a place to avoid. For this, many factors come into play, including: the rise in the cost of living, unemployment, the way the city has built a corridor for the homeless and transient population.
5. The Protection of Red Deer’s Cultural History	We are still reeling because of the pandemic. I believe however that there needs to be more scrutiny when it comes to city spending. Management of projects and infrastructure, as well as finding ways to promote businesses to choose Red Deer.

Contact Information

Information about the By-Election, including details about where to vote, who is running and how to vote is available on the Elections website at elections.reddeer.ca.