Pat Jeffery wants to bring her years of experience as an educator and her commitment to the community to the council table.
Jeffery, a former teacher and school principal will be seeking a seat on Drayton Valley town council at the October 22 municipal election.
Jeffery has lived in the area since 2002. She has worked as principal of both HW Pickup junior high and Frank Maddock high school. Her final position prior to retirement was as principal of the Drayton Valley Community Outreach School, where she played a significant role in the school’s development..
She describes herself as “rooted in education and committed to community.”
“I have always been an active community member and I see this as a way to share my expertise and continue my involvement. Not only do I have the skills needed, I now have the time to take on the role of town councillor,” she said in an email to the Free Press.
Aside from her time as an educator, Jeffery’s community involvement includes being an active member of the Rotary Club, where she has served as both president and treasurer. She has spent 10 years as a board member of the Community Scholarship Trust Society and also sits on the boards of the Drayton Valley Community Foundation and the Eagle Point Blue Rapids Parks Council. With that blend of experience she feels this is the right time to take a shot at elected office.
“Drayton Valley is a vibrant community providing all essential businesses and services while maintaining a small town atmosphere of inclusion and friendliness,” she says. “I am proud of the fact that I live here and I would welcome the opportunity to help ensure that all of this continues.”
If she’s successful in securing a seat on council, Jeffery says she’d like to focus on taking care of existing infrastructure, particularly recreational facilities, parks, walking paths and streets, and fostering an inclusive atmosphere that shows acceptance of everyone who chooses to make Drayton Valley home. Other priority areas include supporting and showcasing local businesses; supporting a network of community groups, volunteers, businesses and municipal staff to share resources; lobbying the Province regarding health care and education and ensuring that every citizen is able to access information and resources needed to bring concerns to council and have a voice in important decisions.
“I believe that developing relationships is essential to understanding problems and coming up with solutions. I would seek opportunities to meet new people and use my past connections with groups and individuals to bring people together,” she says.
Jeffery says she believes it’s important to distinguish between needs and wants when making decisions as a councillor. It’s important to focus resources on those things that are needs and to make sure the municipality can take care of what it already has before investing in new projects.
“I would make an ongoing effort to reach out to local citizens to listen to concerns and invite input to solve problems.” she says. “I recognize the importance of communication happening both ways and would make an honest effort to respond to individuals who are sharing issues and concerns.”
