On October 15th, 2007, I was absolutely honourd that the citizens elected me to represent them as their Alderman. Since that time, I have been hard at work fulfilling all the objectives that I had promised to work on throughout that campaign.

By recognizing the difficult economic time that we find ourselves in, I have worked, along with my colleges on council, to keep taxes as low as possible while still addressing the issues we are facing as a growing community. In 2007, the City of Leduc's taxes were amongst the highest in the region. Now, we have come back to the middle of the pack.

St. Albert would be the City in the region that represents the uppermost taxed community being on average close to $3,800 for residential property taxes. This community relies heavily on residential taxes. On the other hand, Fort Saskatchewan would represent the lowest taxed community in the region, being on average just over $2,000 for residential property taxes. Fort Saskatchewan has lots of industrial assessment that helps keep their taxes low. The City of Leduc is now averaging $2,250 for residential property taxes. I believe that we can do better.

We will have to be prudent to make sure that our community has a good mix of assessment types. It is important to have Industrial assessment and we should continue to market the Leduc Industrial Park to the world. We have an advantage when it comes to industrial operations with the knowledge that has been developed around Oil and Gas. We also have the advantage of mobility. We are located by an International Airport and a Primary Highway. This gives our park advantages that will make locating in Leduc a great option.

We must continue to experience residential growth. The people in our community is what makes Leduc great. Our community should be welcoming to residence. Wether they be young families, the single resident, families who's kids are leaving the house and are nearing retirement, or seniors, Leduc should be welcoming and a place where all can feel at home.

Municipalities rely on property taxes to make up more than half of the operational revenue. I encouraged, and supported any good opportunities that administration had discovered to close loopholes or peruse fair ways of recovering financial loses. I promise to continue to explore these opportunities.

In the past few years, one of the most important issues along side the Economy has been Environmental Sustainability.

In 2007, I promised to bring forward a Blue Bag Recycling Program and in May of 2008 we delivered. Recycling has climbed by 90% since 2007. I campaigned on not just implementing this program, but assuring its success. We are now working on expanding waste diversion and I hope to implement more of these measure in the next 3 years. Recycling keeps our provinces rivers, lakes, and green spaces clean, but it also brings financial benefits to our City prolonging the life of our landfill.

Now, we are just days away from implementing a Public Transportation System that would reduce GHG's and be an economic generator for our City. It wont be long till all these legal matters are settled and this service is provided to our citizens. I have worked hard to get this program going on our council, with the Alberta Government, and the Capital Region Board. If re-elected, I promise to make sure that we succeed and expand our Public Transportation responsibly.

Perhaps out of all the environmental initiatives that we have moved forward in the past 3 year, the one that will have the greatest environmental impact is the development of the City's first Sustainability Plan. We have just begun this project and in the next 3 years I would like to see it through. This Plan will help guide all City departments and make sure that we are implementing programs and functions that are sustainable. Not just environmentally, but economical and socially sustainable as well.

It will be 1 year this coming November since we celebrated the opening of one of the Premier recreation Facilities in the region the Leduc Recreation Centre. I couldn't be more proud to be a part of the Council that got to bring this dream to reality. The LRC has become a source of pride for our community. It is an inclusive facility, that is welcoming to people of all ages and abilities.

Since the LRC's opening, it has played host to bonspiels, meets, and tournaments of all natures. It has also held everything from Trade Shows to the first Taste of Leduc. Along with the world class fitness experience, it is important that we continue to capitalize on the LRC's economic potential as well. The Recreation Centre has drawn visitors and new residence from all places. Because of this, It is important that we make sure that our business communities are attractive and inviting. This is why I believe it's important that we continue to move forward with the Downtown Revitalization Plan.

A few Months ago, our City along with the Downtown Progress Association (DPA) has begun the task of building a Plan for our Downtown. We have held consultation sessions with business owners, residence, and land owners. The process has been very inclusive and I would like to see it continue to be that way. I hope that I can have this Plan past by the spring and that we can start implementing some of the quick wins that we have been recognizing.

An attractive Downtown will help all businesses in Leduc. It will become a place for cultural and community events. I hope that we can capitalize on the best practices that have helped revitalize 118th ave in Edmonton, or the Downtown of Medicine Hat. Practices such as, the creation of a building improvement fund, cultural events, and public investment.

Telford Lake has been a wonderful asset in our community just waiting to fill all of its potential. I was a part of the Telford Lake Steering Committee that developed the Telford Lake Master Plan . This Plan, builds on the success of Leduc's multi-way trail and will extend the trail around the lake. It will include mountain biking single track, and a rowing facility which I hope will have some commercial space.

This Plan respects the environmental integrity of the lake while making it an exciting place to recreate and build community. May it be though the off leash dog park, community gardens, rowing, cycling, walking, or the natural amphitheater on the south east end.

These are the types of world class amenities that will grow our community and businesses. But, as it stands right now, we have a Plan. In the next 3 years, I would like to make sure that we make this a priority. It will require funding and partnerships with various community groups and other levels of government to see this go from a plan to a community feature that we can be proud of.

As our City continues to grow, our municipal infrastructure is placed under greater stress. Our City needs to continue to utilize off-site levies to have new development pay for the new infrastructure they require. Our City should continue to explore ways to make our infrastructure dollars go further. Such as utilizing economies of scale, multiple tendering and going to market at strategic times, and catching smaller problems before they become major issues. Furthermore, we need to keep other levels of government aware of our growing infrastructure needs. Such as 65th ave and 50th ave/Hwy 39.

I believe that the Revitalizing Downtown, seeing the Telford Lake Plan through, the continued success of Public Transportation, infrastructure management, and being a steward of our taxes is the right direction for our City. It's my job as a candidate to convince you of that and it will be my job as your Alderman to see it through.

It is not just homes and businesses, roads and rec facilities that make our City great, but shared ideal and goals and a common sense of purpose.

The Greek philosopher Archimedes one wrote "Give me a place to stand, and I will move the world." I promise if you grant me the opportunity to, once more, represent you on City Council that I will do my best to make Leduc an example for the World.

Thank you for your interest,

Dominic Mishio