The CAMROSE BOOSTER, October 30, 2018 – Page 25
Anderson runs for UCP candidate to help everyday people By Murray Green
Dawn Anderson is running for the candidate position of the United Conservative Camrose Constituency because she wants to make a difference.
“I want people to get to know me as a person, so they can feel comfortable and trust me. I don’t have a political background, therefore it is important for people to keep an open mind in how my current career background lends extremely well to serving in an MLA capacity. I have compassion for people, and a wish to learn and understand their concerns even if they don’t mirror my concerns,” explained Dawn. “Going into this process, I don’t have my own agenda. I think that is very important for someone running for an MLA position. My issues and concerns aren’t at the forefront. It should be about the issues or concerns that are from the people in the constituency that I would be representing.” People have opinions and concerns on current hot topics such as higher minimum wages, and carbon tax, etc. and so does she. “If someone asks me if I have a problem with the current public education system, I would have to say no. Personally, I don’t and my child seems fine. He seems to be getting the attention he needs and the teachers appear to be doing their jobs well. But if you have concerns, then I want to hear those concerns. That’s what I need to know to bring forward to the appropriate people,” she said. “What I want to do is make a difference. We have 87 MLA’s in our province and one of them is going to be the premier. We will have a new direction because it is a brand new political party. The United Conservative Party doesn’t intend to bring out their entire platform until the end of November I have heard. Most of the candidates will be picked at that point, so we don’t know what some of the stances will be for sure until then,” shared Dawn. You have to run the province with the economy in mind. That doesn’t mean social issues take a back seat, they have a solid place in
the passenger seat helping us reach our destination, but you can’t run a province with that in the forefront,” added Dawn. “I believe if I put my mind to it, I can do anything. I have lived in Camrose for the past 10 years. Over the last decade, I’ve proven my support for my community by being on numerous boards and committees. I love it here in Camrose and I don’t want to leave.” When Dawn decided to run for the UCP candidate position there were approximately 1,200 members in the Camrose Constituency. “It is amazing that such a huge decision, as to which person gets to advance as Candidate, comes down to such a few people. My goal of selling many memberships is because I believe more people should have a say and play a part in who should be the next candidate,” she said. “I believe my message is quite clear and the most personal.” She aspires to be transparent about ourselves, our strengths and weaknesses. “Everything I have experienced, great and not so great in my life, has made me who I am today. I have always held the belief that everything happens for a reason. We grow and learn continuously.” Due to the death of both her parents, she has lived on her own since the age of 15. “I have worked full time supporting myself ever since. I’ve never been afraid to venture off on my own and try new things; therefore, in my teens and early 20s I worked all over as a gas jockey, housekeeper, busser, dishwasher, seismic hound, waitress, bartender and telemarketer.” She gratefully found her current home here in Camrose and at the Camrose Resort Casino. “I got a call from Stagewest Hospitality looking for a general manager to oversee their property in Camrose. The rest is history.” Keeping with her theme of everything happening for a reason, the opportunity to work in Camrose is one of those wow moments. “My career was on a much different path, working in bigger cities, overseeing multiple projects. When the offer came up to come to Camrose, it was a small step back in my plan for the future as it was a single facility. That being said, it is one of the largest employers in the city and still afforded me a respectable salary–enough to settle myself and son nicely into the community. I have grown to love Camrose and the many surrounding communities, having visited quite a few through my volunteering and my son Gavin’s sports.” Phone Dawn at 780-7815858 to discuss issues, or to purchase a membership by Nov. 1.