Peter Bouwsema has announced he will, in fact, run again for Lacombe City council in this fall’s municipal election.
“I have been honoured by the citizens of Lacombe to be their representative on council for the last term and wish to represent them again for this next four-year term,” said Bouwsema.
Bouwsema has lived in Lacombe for 29 years after moving from Calgary. He owns and runs PJB Design Consultants which designs houses, commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. The company has designed over 500 residential units in Lacombe alone.
“I have loved this community since I was a teenager. A small town atmosphere was where (my wife and I) wanted to raise our children.”
He said the community has given him so much quality of life that he chose to give back by running for council.
After being elected to council in 2010 he became further active in the community by being a part of the Disaster Services Committee, Lacombe Police Commission, Police Negotiating Committee, Lacombe & District Chamber of Commerce liaison and the Lacombe Heritage Survey Steering Committee.
He also participates locally by helping organize Lacombe Days since 2009 and being involved in the football teams while his children were in school.
Bouwsema said his business ability provided him many of the tools necessary to help with good decision making for the benefit of the community, and he plans to continue aiding in good decision making if he were to be re-elected to council.
“I have the sincere desire to see the east side of Lacombe develop with commercial and residential properties,” said Bouwsema.
He added that he would like to see the percentage of tax revenue dropped for the residential sector as a result of industrial and commercial growth.
One goal of Bouwsema’s as a council member is to see Lacombe grow into a destination community where people not only want to live but where people have the opportunity to work and play.
His intentions for the upcoming term would be to continue with the progress that has been made in the last three years.
“The present council was very proactive in creating a number of plans for the City of Lacombe with the most important one being the Strategic Plan.”
The Strategic Plan shows great importance to proper communication with Lacombe’s citizens and puts an emphasis on being transparent and open. “We, as council, want to make sure that we have more business coming to the City which means having sufficient resources and infrastructure.”
He said he feels as if he has just begun his work with the City in the position of councillor.
“I want to use what I have learned so far for the benefit of the City and its citizens.”