Community
Tara Veer outlines position on hospital expansion, infrastructure and key priorities
The following was supplied to Todayville by Tara Veer and published on September 28:
Views on the Red Deer Regional Hospital- What is your position on the need for hospital expansion in Red Deer?
“Even though Hospital infrastructure is completely under the decision-making jurisdiction of the Provincial Government, the needs of our community are a priority for the City.
There are numerous examples over the past four years of the City strongly advocating to the Provincial Government to fulfill our local provincial infrastructure needs; The Hospital is one of them and most certainly will continue to be a priority until we secure the expansion of the Red Deer Regional Hospital.
When our City team met with various Premiers and Ministers over the past term, our consistent phrase in representing Red Deerians to the Provincial Government has been, “When you build Red Deer, you build Alberta”. Infrastructure expansion in our community not only benefits Red Deerians, but all Albertans by building service capacity. Most importantly, building capacity in the Red Deer Regional Hospital ensures patients in Red Deer and region have more equitable access to health care services closer to home instead of being forced to travel to Edmonton or Calgary, especially in critical situations.”
What has Council done to support our community in this infrastructure & service need for Red Deer?
“Over the past few years our community has raised various concerns about critical provincial infrastructure needs for Red Deer, examples include the need for expanded courthouse to fulfill community safety objectives and Polytechnic University status for Red Deer College. In response to our community, City Council adopted these as advocacy matters to add the City’s voice to our community’s concerns to the Provincial Government.
Following a public meeting initiated by local Emergency Room Doctors last winter, the people of Red Deer became acutely aware of the critical need for infrastructure and service expansion at Red Deer Regional Hospital. When the Hospital didn’t receive additional funding in the Province’s 2017 budget this past spring, many of our citizens were very upset.
In response to community concern, City Council adopted an official advocacy motion requesting the Government of Alberta to prioritize the Red Deer Regional Hospital on their capital plan. As Mayor, I have written to the Minister of Health to formally submit City Council’s position on behalf of our community. We are also currently in the process of seeking letters of support from the Mayors and Councils across the Central Zone region. Once we have received letters from all participating municipalities, we will formally add these to our submission to the Minister of Health.
I have also met and spoken with our local MLA’s and the Minister of Health regarding our community’s expectations regarding Hospital infrastructure on multiple occasions. If citizens of Red Deer would like to add their voice to our community and Council’s advocacy efforts, we encourage citizens to contact the Minister of Health and your local MLA (Kim Schreiner or Barb Miller if you live in Red Deer).”
If you’re re-elected as Mayor on October 16th, will you continue to prioritize this issue?
“Absolutely. One of the greatest leadership successes of the past term was our ability to advocate successfully for long-awaited infrastructure & service needs of Red Deer. Over the past four years alone, we have successfully helped to secure Provincial decisions to:
Keep Michener Centre open
Keep ambulance dispatch in Red Deer & area
Re-purpose the former Red Deer Nursing Home site for affordable seniors housing
Expand the runway at the Red Deer Airport
Expand the capacity at the Red Deer Courthouse
Rebuild the QE2 and Gaetz Avenue interchange
Partner with the City to integrate local affordable housing
Currently, the established advocacy priorities of Council are Red Deer Regional Hospital expansion, Polytechnic University status for Red Deer College, and emergency shelter capacity. It is essential that these areas remain a priority until these local needs are fulfilled by the Provincial Government.
Over my term as Mayor I have demonstrated myself as a strong advocate for the needs of Red Deer to decision-makers in the Provincial Government, and if Red Deerians choose to re-elect me I will continue to work with Council, our community and partners to secure results for the people of our city.
I invite you to visit my full campaign website at www.veerforreddeer.ca to learn more about my leadership record, 2017 platform, and my thoughts on issues that Red Deerians are discussing.
Community
100+ Women Who Care Red Deer celebrates 10th season in 2025 with new leadership
L to R: Cindy Jefferies, Susan Knopp, Lane Tomalty, Bre Fitzpatrick
Photo credit: The SnapHappy Photographer
After a decade of leadership under Cindy Jefferies and Susan Knopp, 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer (100+ WWCRD) is proud to celebrate 10 years of supporting local charities and the announcement of Bre Fitzpatrick and Lane Tomalty as its new co-leaders. This marks an exciting new chapter for the group, which has made a significant impact on not-for-profit organizations in Central Alberta.
Cindy and Susan have led 100+ WWCRD with vision, dedication, and a commitment to empowering women to lead and inspire change. Under their stewardship, the organization has raised over $630,000 for local charities by hosting 4 annual 1-hour meetings. Since 2015, more than 36 local charities have received funding through the group.
Reflecting on their tenure, Cindy and Susan stated:
“Leading 100 Women has been an honour and a privilege. When we began this journey, we didn’t know where it would go – we simply loved the simple, elegant, and fun ‘100 Who Care’ concept and thought it was a great fit for our community. We are grateful to the many women who have stood with us. They are the magic of the organization! We are confident Bre and Lane will steward this leadership role well and we look forward to supporting it – just not from behind the microphone!”
Bre and Lane bring a dynamic energy and fresh perspective to the organization. Both have been involved with the group and have been mentored by Susan and Cindy over the past year. They are eager to continue the collaboration, connection, and local support this team of women have established in Red Deer.
In their joint statement, Bre and Lane shared:
“We are humbled to step into this role and build on the incredible foundation Cindy and Susan have laid. Many needs are at the doorstep of our community and in the hearts and minds of our members. We know a powerful, caring, and united group of individuals can play a huge role in driving change and breaking barriers.
To celebrate this milestone and leadership transition, the 100+ WWCRD hosted the final meeting of 2024 on November 25th at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club. The evening featured reflections from Cindy and Susan, the selection of the Salvation Army as the charity of choice, an opportunity for members to connect with Bre and Lane as they outline their vision for the organization’s next chapter, and a toast to 10 years.
For more information, please visit www.100womenreddeer.ca
About 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer
100+ Women Who Care Red Deer is a network of compassionate, empowered, and dedicated women who make a direct, immediate, and positive impact in Red Deer and area. We support local non-profit and charitable organizations that work every day to make our community a better place to live. 100% of funds donated go to the selected charities – there are no
administration fees, and all costs are covered by the generosity of sponsors. Collectively, we make a difference.
The group meets 4 times annually for 1 hour. Non-profit and charitable organizations are nominated by members. After hearing 3 randomly drawn pitches, the members vote to select their top choice. The group with the highest number of votes receives the members’ donations. Each member or team commits to donating $100 at each meeting. Since 2015, the average raised has been more than $15,000 per meeting.
Membership is open to all women In Red Deer and area. We invite you to join us! The first meeting of 2025 will be on Monday, February 3, 2025.
Founded in February 2015, the organization currently has about 150 members. We are committed to uniting this powerful group of 100+ women who care and lifting the amazing non-profits and charitable groups they support.
Community
Festival of Trees tickets on sale! Update from the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation
Festival of Trees tickets are on sale now! Get ’em while they’re hot!
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