Tim VanderBeek is one of the candidates for Lethbridge City Council. (Photo supplied by Tim VanderBeek)

By Justin Goulet

Tim VanderBeek running for Lethbridge City Council this October

Sep 12, 2021 | 6:05 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A ‘life-long north sider’ is running for Lethbridge City Council in this October’s municipal election.

Tim VanderBeek told LNN that his top priorities would be “to get something done with the current crisis with the homelessness, drug abuse and crime.”

“All three of those are related; you can’t treat one without treating the others.”

VanderBeek said a number of different methods are needed to successfully tackle those issues in the city. He said that includes initiatives like harm reduction and finding homes for the homeless.

VanderBeek is hoping for a change in the culture of council, noting that, “we need to get back to where you can have a free discussion on issues and where all viewpoints are respected.”

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“I’m a lifelong north-sider and I would like to see some north side representation getting back on council.”

He also wants to help diversify the economy and attract more students to stay in the city after graduating from Lethbridge College and the University of Lethbridge.

VanderBeek believes his experience working as a substitute teacher for the Lethbridge School Division has helped “broaden his horizons” and has “allowed me to see different viewpoints.”

Additionally, he has working experience with the City of Lethbridge’s Parks Operations and Maintenance. VanderBeek told LNN he’s currently on a leave of absence from the City in order to run for council.

He remarked that he has seen the impact of homelessness in Lethbridge first-hand.

“It also lets me get an idea on how the operation actually works at the bottom level, so when you’re making decisions and you make those decisions at the top, you have an idea of how they’re actually going to play out at the bottom.”

VanderBeek said he wants to see more of a focus on improving existing amenities in the city.

He told LNN, “Instead of pursuing the new capital projects, we need to keep up what we already have.”

“We’re pursuing new projects, but the parks are falling apart, streets are falling apart – we need to keep those things up.”

General voting day in the 2021 municipal election is October 18.