Steven Pudwell hopes to be part of the city's next council, having already spect years active in the community through various groups and nonprofits. He says economic diversity is key to building a better Medicine Hat.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
From the Kinsmen Club to the Chamber of Commerce, working within the community is a habit for council candidate Steven Pudwell.
Pudwell believes in serving the community’s greatest needs above all else, something the said makes choosing to run for council his logical next step.
“I have been part of the business community and organizations, nonprofit organizations, and it’s just time to step forward,” said Pudwell. “There’s going to be some needed discussion going forward with the city council and how it operates. I think I can provide leadership and collaboration to make our decisions a little bit simpler and to really get down to what’s important to the people of Medicine Hat.”
This biggest focus is creating a “diverse economic engine,” which he feels will lead to the vibrancy and innovation the city needs to grow and continue to be relevant on the grander stage.
One of the biggest ways to do this, Pudwell says, is to make it easier to do business here in Medicine Hat, regardless of the size of the business. With extensive experience working with businesses as part of the Chamber of Commerce, Pudwell says he has a strong idea of what these businesses need to come to the city and thrive.
“I think communication is a big thing that needs to be done as well,” said Pudwell. “If I’m part of the council, and the other people that are going to be part of the council, we have to get into the habit of making a plan, implementing that plan, monitoring the plan, and then if tweaks need to be made, we have to get that done right away.”
This pertains not only to council but also to administration, staff and the residents, ensuring everyone has the information they need and feels heard when issues arise or hard decisions have to be made.
“When you start looking at mental health and addiction issues, we need to start targeting some of those community resources that we have to identify and put action into place, so that when people are in crisis, we’re there to help,” said Pudwell.
Affordability also makes the list, especially how it affects the wellness and mental health of residents, says Pudwell.
He says a lot of communities are concerned with affordability, not only Medicine Hat. However, he is certain with the right council looking at the “pulleys and levers” to invite activity, progress will be made.
If elected, Pudwell commits to putting his experience to work, solving problems and facilitating as much communication as possible to ensure the city runs smoothly.
“I try to find all the facts, I listen to both sides of the story,” said Pudwell. “Sometimes there’s a third side to the story, so I try to get all those views and information properly, so that a decision can be made, and then that we can act on it and make a plan.”
His campaign is a grassroots one, based primarily in trying to speak with as many people as possible; both familiar faces and those he’s yet to get to know. Those interested in getting to know more about his platform and vision for the City of Medicine Hat are encouraged to visit his website at stevenpudwell.ca.
“One of the things I’ve learned is that it’s all about serving the community’s greatest needs,” said Pudwell. “It’s a big part of my life, and I want to make sure that Medicine Hat has some growth to it that makes sense.”
