Stephen Campbell: Local fighter for freedom looks to join city council
By Medicine Hat News on August 24, 2021.
Stephen Campbell, who made a name since COVID arrived claiming health orders were infringing on civil liberties, is fulfilling a longtime political dream by running for Medicine Hat city council.--SUBMITTED PHOTOStephen Campbell has made a name for himself during the course of the pandemic as the leading local voice advocating against limiting personal freedoms.
Now he is hoping to put that advocacy experience toward giving a voice to Hatters in his bid to become a city councillor.
Campbell’s lived in Medicine Hat since 1996 and was drawn to the area by the opportunities it provided through the oilfield.
But involvement in politics has long been a draw and, after working at the city’s Goodyear plant, he went back to school to get a business administration diploma to help him achieve a goal of running for public office.
“City council is where I always wanted to start,” said Campbell. “It’s where you can make the biggest impact. It’s the most challenging and unforgiving job.”
Having travelled coast to coast, Campbell says Medicine Hat is one of the most beautiful places, “and I want to make it a better place.”
One of the ways he’d like to do that is by promoting a central place where those requiring financial or emotional support can receive services.
“I think there is lots of room for improvement,” said Campbell.
And the message he is hearing clearly from Hatters is they are unhappy with city council not sharing information.
“There seems to be a lot of confusion and lack of transparency in there and I think that is something we need to fix on the inside,” said Campbell. “I think we need to change administration and be more transparent so we can properly deal with the situations that are at hand.”
Campbell says if elected, he will post on social media what his position is on a topic and why. He says one of his top issues is water conservation.
He says water and sewer infrastructure is running at capacity and by promoting conservation, capital costs can be deferred until more efficient technology can be developed.
And, he says, it could help low-income earners save funds.
“If we could come up with a solution where everybody would win, such as give landlords incentives to upgrade their premise,” said Campbell.
“Then you would see residents living in a better place.”
Campbell is anticipating a significant change to the faces on council after the election.
You advocate against limiting personal freedoms? I am fully vaccinated, wear a mask and show my proof and ID. I have unlimited personal freedom to go anywhere I choose. Look at the numbers Stephen and get off your soap box. There will be a significant change to the faces on City Council…I seriously hope yours won’t be one of them.