The single vacancy on Lloydminster City Council has attracted businessman Hamid Rahmanian to enter the local political arena for the Feb. 13 by-election.
The real estate and property owner hails from Iran. He did graduate studies in economics and moved to Lloydminster in 1979. He and his wife are empty nesters with their children and grandchildren residing across Canada.
As part of his overall philosophy, he says you cannot affect change on the macroeconomic side, but you can concern yourself with making a difference on the microeconomic level.
“At the macro level, we don’t have much control, but the only thing we have control over, and we can do something about is microeconomics. Our own pocket money. Our street or neighbourhood. Our bank account.”
Strengths of Lloydminster
Rahmanian says the border city between Alberta and Saskatchewan is very friendly. The oil and gas sector represents another area of huge opportunity. Also, shopping amenities as many people from around the region come to Lloydminster.
“Costco will really be helpful. The new refinery. The last few years we had so many empty properties. Now, it’s all full. Jobs are being created here. People are coming into town from out of town. And before, I didn’t have that.”
Rahmanian says Lloydminster has the infrastructure for any type of business to grow, but feels there is room for it to be more business-friendly.
“It is a very vibrant city – very progressive. There are many facilities that people envy for a city of this size.”
On Education, he says the schools are fantastic and his kids went through French immersion and “loved it.”
Challenges facing Lloydminster
He says a city should be run like a business, if you have the money, you spend it, and if you don’t have money then you wait.
On the loss of the WestJet option to fly from Calgary to Lloydminster, Rahmanian says it’s unfortunate and something he wants to work on.
“We need to have a connection to the world, otherwise we are cut off. The drive to Edmonton and Calgary is not an easy thing to do. My brothers go to Vancouver for the hotel business, and they depend on that.”
On the downtown renovation, Rahmanian questions the outcomes of the development.
“They took a bunch of parking spots out. They have made traffic harder by the clock tower. That is very counterproductive. I have downtown property. There is not enough parking. They should have one hour parking. All of 50 Avenue and 50 Street downtown should have one-hour parking. Two-hour parking maximum. We should not have a guy parking his car all day.” He notes the only way to attract people downtown is by having easy parking.
Rahmanian wants to see chicken ownership allowed in the city. He says bigger cities like Vancouver and Toronto allow people to raise chickens in the city. He had previously taken that matter to council and was denied.
Provincial issues affecting Lloydminster
On policing and security, he feels that if the cost of hiring another constable is too much, then place greater reliance on the Citizens on Patrol.
“You can pay the gas money to the volunteers, and they will keep an extra set of eyes on the street for you. They will be 10 times more effective and half as much cost.”
He says on occasion he has called the local police, and they did not come to his business.
“They did not show up. Last year – you ask the police; they were overwhelmed. They did not have enough resources to deal with a problem arising.”
Rahmanian sees room to expand the cooperation between Lloydminster and Onion Lake.
“They are two sister cities. Anything that happens – their problem becomes our problem. Anything we can do for them – that would be great.”
On healthcare, he boasts that he has been very fortunate to be able to bring several doctors to the community.
“I have five families, but they have seven doctors in it as both the husband and the wife are doctors.”
Rahmanian sees the need for a bypass to get the railway out of downtown. He says many times he has had appointments on the north side of the city only to be stopped on the tracks. Whether it’s a medical or other emergency, the train should be moved.
“It is not a luxury; it is a necessity. If you go to Vergeville they have it. They did that 20 years ago. Lloydminster should have done the same thing.”
Reason to vote for Rahmanian
Responding to why people should vote for him, Rahmanian says having lived here since 1979 and raised his family, he knows the area and is willing to offer solutions to various concerns like homelessness, security, and growing the city. Being a businessman, he says he brings an alternate way of looking at things and offering solutions.
By-election information
Advanced voting takes place on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Council Chambers, City Hall.
Election day is Tuesday, Feb. 13, and voting will take place from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., also at Council Chambers, City Hall.
MyLloydminsterNow has profiles on the other candidates who are Leo Aguinaldo, Stan Bugiera, Darrell Dunn, Ben Harrison, David Lopez, Corey McKee, and Fred Sirett.
