The race for Prince Albert City Council Part 2 – key questions | saskNOW | Saskatchewan | News, Sports, Weather, Obituaries, Classifieds

So, now the electorate can focus its attention on the candidates they think are best suited to the job of making the political decisions in Prince Albert for the next four years. And there’s little doubt as we remain in the midst of the COVID pandemic, there will be challenging choices to be made.

Who do you think is best qualified to navigate the eight-rower boat? Incumbent mayor Greg Dionne’s campaign is hinged on ‘proven leadership.’ The man who has been his most vocal and active challenger so far, Darryl Hickie, is promising governance that is ‘not about power but purpose.’ Another runner, councillor Dennis Nowoselsky, has made a zero tax rate increase and cuts to the police budget some of the key pillars of his platform. And then there is Josh Morrow, a controversial candidate four years ago who made an eleventh hour bid this week, who is promising a new culture at the council table.

Love, and getting things done

It’s important to acknowledge, despite the personality conflicts highlighted in Part 1 of this editorial series, and as noted in that article, the incumbent council has made progress. This includes securing funding for the ambitious new recreation and aquatic centre, completing the Rotary Trail, advancing economic development such as the 15th Street project featuring Peavey Mart, extensive playground revitalization, spray parks and improvements at Little Red River Park, widespread street improvement and traffic calming measures, and collaborative efforts with local First Nations along the riverbank to enhance its appeal and visitation.

It’s also important to realize no one enters the local political scene to be loved. If any politician did, then they were either sadly misinformed, are delusional, or their egos need a mega dose of antihistamine.

Good intentions

However, people most certainly do run for office because they want to make their city better. There is no doubt every city councillor who ever entered this arena did so with that very purpose. It is always the electorate and the electorate alone, who ultimately determines how a local politician has performed, no matter how well-intentioned they may be.

So, with just over four weeks to go to municipal election day here are some questions to ponder. And, if you’re the type who gives sober thought to this fine city’s political process, you may be interested in answering them. You can do that quietly on your own or feel free to chime in on our Facebook page.

Key questions

Do you think more people should have joined the 19 souls who submitted their nomination papers to run for the first time or are seeking re-election? Or are you satisfied with the depth of the field? Here’s the full list.

Should P.A. city council be more diverse? You certainly can’t blame the current group for their demographic makeup, but would you have liked to see more Indigenous and younger candidates in the running?

What is your appetite for political change? As a voter, are you looking for a revolution: a complete renewal of the mayor and eight city councillors? Perhaps you’d prefer a blend of some existing and some new councillors come Nov.9 – some experienced hands who can help guide some of the newbies? Or maybe you’d rather there be no change at all to the current council line up?

What do you expect from your favorites? With a ward system, councillors are elected to represent the city’s eight different geographical zones, although they are not obliged to live in that area. Do you expect your elected official to focus on and fight primarily for neighborhood issues, or would you rather they centre their efforts on the greater city good? Can they realistically and fairly do both?

And what of the mayor? Do you expect your political leader to remain largely neutral while fostering and guiding debate around the table, or would you prefer they advance a certain vision and coax councillors towards that end? Mayoral styles can differ greatly.

The job of the politician – local, provincial or national – is largely thankless. When things don’t go well with how taxpayer dollars are spent or with the direction of an administration it leaves them open to complaint. In the coming months and years the effects of COVID-19, and whatever economic aftermath it leaves, will loom large in P.A., as it will across the planet. Very tough choices and perhaps very unpopular ones may be needed.

So, the ability to take criticism will undoubtedly go with the territory of being a city councillor.

That perhaps leaves the biggest question for you as we start to process, filter and decipher the numerous campaign messages from all our candidates.

Would you do the job?

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For all things election – municipal and provincial – head to our special election section.

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow

by Glenn Hicks

The race for Prince Albert City Council Part 2 – key questions

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