Hi, I'm Paul Ashford. I live in Calgary, and I've been fortunate to have a second home on Front Street for the past 20 years, which I call my "happy place". White Sands is special, and I'd love nothing more than to see the community hold on to its unique nature even as White Sands and the surrounding communities grow over the coming decades. The time is right for me to step up and give back to the community that continues to mean so much to me, my wife Julie, and my three daughters. Hence, my decision to run for Council is this by-election.
A bit about me: My love of the White Sands community is rooted in its rural charm within a quiet and beautiful natural setting. My affinity for this type of environment is rooted in my childhood, where my early memories are of boating on Georgian Bay in Ontario on the wooden cabin cruiser that my father built over four years while I was a toddler. I was instilled with a love of nature, adventure, challenge, hard work, and practical solutions to problems. Those values led me to an education in Geotechnical Engineering at UBC, where I learned that love of nature, environmental stewardship, fiscal accountability, and managed growth are all mutually achievable.
My career is in the oil and gas industry, specializing on the operational engineering side of the business with a more recent focus on greenhouse gas emissions management. I’ve added value through optimizing production and costs, reducing emissions, and championing value-adding opportunities. I have a hands-on approach, and I've built a reputation around identifying opportunities and solving problems, whether at the wellsite or around the house and cabin, effectively analyzing and then finding the solution that fits together all the puzzle pieces to find the best answer that stands up to validation and scrutiny.
I've been exposed to a broad variety of technical, leadership, and managerial roles through my career, with assignments in head office, field, and international locations. I have had success bringing people together, building strong relationships with effective communications among field and office staff, executives, stakeholders, and regulators. My deep engineering, business, and managerial experience will add a level of bench strength to the White Sands Council to ensure that the best short and long term decisions are made on the many complex issues facing our community.
My vision for White Sands is to see the village maintain its tight-knit and supportive community, being a gem of a place that has a natural beauty, is sustainable, and offers great family recreational opportunities for both seasonal and permanent residents. I want White Sands to keep the rural and natural beauty of a small village, with a responsibly managed lake and shoreline that balances the environment with accessible recreational use for all residents.
If elected to represent the residents of White Sands, my immediate priority for the remainder of this term will be to draw on the wisdom of past and current council to maintain continuity; to build relationships and effectively represent White Sands interests with the provincial government, the county, and the surrounding communities; and to diligently steward property tax revenue through a review of spending and operational efficiencies. That being said, the Council represents all White Sands residents, and I intend to be responsive to the diversity of vision and direction communicated from the community.
We can all feel optimistic that several capable candidates have stepped forward to run in this by-election. I will be honoured if I am elected to Council this fall, and I will faithfully represent the interests of the White Sands community through to the next election cycle.
Thanks,
- Paul Ashford
Hello my name is Steven Lockhart. After careful consideration of the Village needs and listening to the residents’ concerns, I have decided to run for council. I have been a fulltime resident of White Sands since 2009. My wife Bobbi-Jo and I love our life here, have met many people and built strong long lasting friendships.
My career as a Water & Wastewater Operator spanned 39 years over 3 municipalities which includes the Town of Stettler (5 years), Town of Banff-Supervisor (17 years) and retiring from The County of Stettler after 15 years of service as a Supervisor.
In my role as a Level 3 Water Plant Operator and Level 1 Wastewater Treatment Operator, I have actively participated in council meetings and attended the Shirley McClellan Regional Water Services Commission meetings, gaining valuable experience and contributing to important discussions. At the Town of Banff, I managed utility operational expenses exceeding $1 million, where I successfully presented recommendations and maintained oversight of line items to ensure budgetary compliance.
Since my retirement, I spend my time working on my classic cars and walking our 2 dogs, and of course my wife’s “Honey-Do List”. Having spent countless hours enjoying our lakes and beaches, I have a keen awareness of the issues that need to be addressed to enhance and preserve these valuable community resources. I feel my experience with Municipal Governments and Colleagues make me a valuable candidate. I look forward to serving this great village. In finishing, I applaud all candidates for running and contributing to our community.
Donna Marquardt
BIO
Bookkeeping/ Secretarial
Diploma, Medical Laboratory Technology, NAIT Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, UBC Electronics Engineering Diploma, SAIT
Account Executive, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
GOVERNANCE EXPERIENCE
Multiple committees, Secretary, Treasurer, President
Student Senate at SAIT, Finance position, negotiated employee contract
Served two terms on Condo Board, negotiating contracts, maintenance, AGMs, bylaws
Operated a small business featuring technology, training and setup.
College Of Medical Laboratory Technologists, council member and financial liaison- AGMs, bylaw revisions.
PLATFORM
I am a full-time village resident and multi-property owner. My vision for the community is a transparent government for the people and by the people. I would like to see us in a mode for sustainable growth using the expertise of the residents to form guiding committees on a wide range of issues.
The golf cart bylaw needs to be investigated. Council can bring it forward to a point where a referendum can be called. A committee to negotiate a long-term lease with the province for the shoreline management and boat launch maintenance is also on my radar and I already have some volunteers for this.
A published vision for the community made by the community is also on my to do list. Long-term, we would benefit from succession planning and streamlining governance.
As your prospective elected representative, I want what’s best for our community based on community feedback.
FOR THE VILLAGE, BY THE VILLAGE.
Summer Village of White Sands Candidate Bio - Dan Zembal
In 2020 my wife Debbie and I chose to make White Sands our permanent year-round home. Our two children, three grandchildren and many friends enjoy spending many hours visiting with us at the lake. I grew up on a farm near Grassland, Alberta and have lived in Edmonton (Go Oilers), Calgary (Go Flames) and Victoria (Go Vikes) field hockey . . . because it is just not cold enough in Victoria for a decent ice hockey team.
I believe I have the core values, integrity, education, experience and community involvement to make an excellent councillor for the Summer Village of White Sands.
Education
Master of Public Administration - University of Victoria
Awarded the University of Victoria Graduate Fellowship (2 year Academic Scholarship)
Bachelor of Arts Degree – Psychology (Graduating with High Distinction) - Concordia University College. Awarded numerous academic awards including the Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze Medallion & Scholarship
Business and Management Experience
I have over 30 years of business, management and leadership experience with various Alberta companies. I am the founder, owner and president of Alberta Waste and Recycling, a successful Calgary based company focusing on providing innovative, cost-effective waste recycling solutions and facilities in southern and central Alberta. I am also co-founder of PolyAg Recycling and owner of PolyLumber Recycling (Bashaw); recycling companies that process agricultural plastic waste from Alberta, Saskatchewan, BC and Manitoba into PCR pellets, plastic lumber, curbs and outdoor furniture. I also worked with the BC government as a business consultant and with Alberta Transportation as a materials/field inspector (civil projects and roads).
Community and Board Experience
I am an active environmental and business leader and have served on numerous boards, committees and organizations. Business related board participation includes past President and Director of the Recycling Council of Alberta; and, Director of the Alberta Recycling Management Authority. I also served on the Board of Directors of the Institute of Public Administration (BC); BC Film Sector Planning Committee (Co-Chair/Facilitator); Greater Victoria Business Recyclers (Chair/Facilitator); and the Vancouver Island Economic Development Association.
My community volunteer work includes Vice-President of Park 96 - Calgary where I volunteered with a team to help organize and host Summerfest for over 15 years; and, Bashaw Chamber of Commerce where as a director I helped coordinate/organize Bashaw HomeTown Days and other business/community events.
At White Sands, I earned first place people’s choice at the 2023 Chili cook-off (yes, I like food and am a decent cook). I was a semi-finalist in the competitive 2024 corn hole tournament this summer (Debbie claims she carried me the whole way but I am reasonably competitive too). I also enjoyed helping others with building, flooding and clearing the curling and hockey rinks in the winter.
Goals as a Councillor
If elected, I will work diligently to maintain and improve existing community services such as landscaping/beautification, mowing, road maintenance, snow plowing, and waste and recycling services. I will continue to support the Hall Society in their endeavour to encourage community interaction and involvement. I will work with other councillors to manage and improve financial stability and accountability. I will work on local Committees to address lake issues and also emergency support services. Another goal is to speed up the relocation/completion of the village office and get staff back to the village. I will also engage the CAO to build a stronger relationship with councillors, staff and community.
Thank you for considering my candidacy. I am excited about the opportunity to serve as a councillor and to work together to make White Sands an even better community. Thank you for your time and consideration.
You’ve got to be passionate about what you do.
Dan