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Council candidate Dana Christensen hopes to bring some value back to Medicine Hat with his business experience and analytical view. His main focuses are a strong community, quality infrastructure and fiscal responsibility.
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
Council candidate Dana Christensen is ready to take the plunge and treat his potential term as a full-time job.
He has spent his time in business and in travelling all of Western Canada. Looking at Medicine Hat compared to some other places he’s been, his concern there may not be any reason for his son to stay in the community when he’s older fuels his desire to be part of the solution.
“One thing that I bring to the council is that I’m very analytical,” said Christensen. Every process or every thought I think about, I usually calculate for a day or two, do proper research and then come up with viable solutions.”
With this analytical approach and the experience collaborating on decisions, working with people and learning how to find all of the information he needs, Christensen feels he can bring some value back to Medicine Hat when it’s needed most.
“The number one priority is strong communities and safety,” said Christensen. “Everybody deserves the right to feel safe in their own neighborhoods. It isn’t just about policing. It’s about belonging, dignity and connection.”
A strong community needs a strong economic engine and for that reason Christensen’s next priority is focused on economic growth and business development. He feels the future of the city depends on a diverse range of businesses and that it is the city’s job to make it easier for businesses to get started, establish themselves and grow, whether that business is one person operating in their basement or the largest employer in town.
“Obviously, we do need to be attracting big organizations to Medicine Hat. You know, we are on the Trans Canada Highway, we have the number three highway. Medicine Hat is the central hub of Western Canada via freight, and that’s from here to Vancouver,” said Christensen. “We should be attracting businesses that want to build things, or shipping logistics companies.”
His next priority is in quality infrastructure from roads and utilities to housing and recreation. Christensen says he would push for development that makes sense and doesn’t come at the expense of other areas of interest and maintaining what’s present to avoid larger bills down the line.
“Lastly, fiscal responsibility and transparency,” said Christensen. “Every tax dollar belongs to the people of Medicine Hat, not City Hall, it needs to be respected and treated with care. I think we have wasted a lot of money in the city over the last four years instead of properly investing it. I want to make sure every dollar spent has a purpose.”
Should he take a council seat in the upcoming election, Christensen is committed to making his role as a councillor his full time job dedicating 44 hours a week to the people of Medicine Hat.
“I’m going to invest all my time and energy, 44 hours or more a week, to rebuild Medicine Hat,” said Christensen.
He has so far built momentum on a word of mouth campaign, speaking to people, being active on social media and attending events, which is how he hopes to continue as the election fast approaches.
“What I want everybody to know is, I’m a Hatter. I go through the same struggles everybody else does. I see the same things and the frustrations, I’m a common person. I’m not a career politician, just an everyday person,” said Christensen. “I work hard, I have a business background and I’d like to bring that business level to Medicine Hat.”
