Butterfield running for Medicine Hat council on platform of smart growth, strong community

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity, and I will learn a lot along the way and be even more excited to hit the ground running if elected.”

Butterfield, 43, was born and raised in Medicine Hat. After moving away in 2002 for school and work, she returned to Medicine Hat in 2014 and worked for the city.

During her time at the City of Medicine Hat, she worked as a manager of the energy division’s land department, an operations manager with Invest Medicine Hat, and a manager of land and real estate.

“It really opened my eyes or allowed for a viewpoint of what’s out there and how we could better facilitate it,” Butterfield said.

“Gave me a good feeling of where the city sits.”

She now works in the private sector as senior lead of corporate operations and resourcing for a land acquisition and right-of-way consulting company with projects across North America.

Butterfield said her time working at the city helped her realize that she could have a voice for the community in scenarios where some people don’t feel comfortable being that voice.

“That was something I was really focused on was advocacy and how I can help facilitate those things, understanding city processes, but also understanding from the private sector standpoint to a public sector standpoint, and how they kind of intertwine with each other and how we can, possibly, do business more effectively,” Butterfield said.

“I see a more strategic plan that is more tangible in the long run, whereas I think the previous strategic direction was a little too high level,” she added.

“I’d like to get a little bit more intricate so that we have a plan in place and we can initiate it.”

Butterfield adds that from a governing standpoint, a solid strategic direction will help administration follow through.

“I think a guided strategic plan helps them feel more positive about making a change and a difference going forward,” Butterfield said.

“When it comes to development and growth and what we can do, I think there are so many opportunities for investment, for being shovel-ready, not letting investment drive past us, getting it to stay, and really appealing to the business community as to why Medicine Hat is a great place to invest in and continue to grow if they’re already here.”

Priorities for Butterfield include tax incentives, affordability, and building trust between the council and the community.

“With the economic climate that we’re in, we don’t want to continue to put pressure on people if we don’t need to,” Butterfield said.

“Making sure that we’re reviewing the budget and making sure that costs are effectively allocated rather than in a siloed approach. I’d like to see it as a fulsome, holistic approach. And one that is tangible,” she added.

“Building the trust between council and the community. That’s very important for us to build back. I think we’re lacking there a little bit, and I think that it’s time that we developed that.”

Butterfield said that some issues were shown with that in the previous city council.

“It’s important than anything that we collaborate. We can have different views. We can have different opinions. But I think we’re all there for the same reason,” Butterfield said.

“I think that should be our focus, as well as trust between council and administration. I want them to feel comfortable that we’re there for both the community and for them,” she added.

“That we’re there as a guiding and governing body to help them. I think that’s super important, especially in the times we’re in now.”

She said the current council did the best they could with what they had.

“I do think there were bumps in the road that came about and couldn’t be avoided. I think decision-making is so important, and trying to get all the information,” Butterfield said.

“When you’re a first-time council member, trying to understand what the city does on a daily basis, and how many things we oversee and govern as a whole, as a business, as a municipality, all the things were unique in that aspect,” she added.

“Agenda items or decisions could have been moved forward quicker. I do appreciate and respect every one of them that have been there, and they followed their values and poured their heart into it. So, that’s super important.”

Butterfield said she thinks there are some building blocks in place from the previous council.

“Some of the distractions kind of glanced over some of the good work that’s already started,” Butterfield said.

“I do think people are ready for decisions, and decisions to be made and to move forward. Government as a whole takes time. There’s process, policies, all the things in place.”

by Jesse Gill

Butterfield running for Medicine Hat council on platform of smart growth, strong community

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