By CHAT News Today

Meet the Candidate: Julie Friesen

Oct 13, 2017 | 8:00 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Councillor Julie Friesen says she still feels privileged and honoured to serve the city, and is hoping voters will see that on October 16th.

“The work is never done,” she said. “We’ve accomplished a lot in this term – there’s a lot accomplished in every term – but there are trends, there are things shifting in the city, there is all kinds of marvellous opportunities for vibrancy.

“Fresh new ideas are very important, but I think experience is too. I think you need a balance of both. I’ve got lots of energy, lots of enthusiasm, and I think I have lots to offer. That’s why I’m running.”

Friesen has served six terms in total on city council, the most among current councillors (Councillor Robert Dumanowski been the longest consecutively serving councillor since being elected in 2001). Friesen was first elected in 1989, serving a three-year term. She was re-elected again in 1998 and served until 2010, when she ran for mayor, narrowly being defeated by Norm Boucher. She was re-elected to council in 2013.

Friesen says she is running on several priorities, including economic vibrancy, developing an entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and diversification, a safe community, sound infrastructure, a commitment to financial sustainability and improving quality of life.

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“A municipality has a very important role in economic development, but it is not necessarily to be the economic developer,” she said. “It is to ensure there is an environment that fosters and supports strong economic vibrancy.

“We have done a lot of work over the last few years with being a partner and a presence in economic development. It’s been paying off in the last year or two, particularly through Invest Medicine Hat, but not limited to that.”

She adds quality of life also is important for her as a councillor.

“To me, quality of life and economic development are intrinsically linked,” she said. “You can’t have one without the other.

“If you’re looking to have a business here, grow a business here, open a business here, whether it be small or large, quality of life is important. You want your employees and their families to love the community too. There has to be things for them here.”

Friesen says her experience helps set her apart from the other candidates, saying it has helped her build trust from a variety of stakeholders. She also cites her humility as a positive quality.

“I always say, if I start feeling like I am important, it’s time for me to go, because it’s not about that, it’s about serving the people who have elected you,” she said.