Mayoral candidate Deb Higgins has a vision to keep Moose Jaw growing.
“There’s been a fair bit of progress in the past number of years and we need to make sure that that continues,” said Higgins, who served as a provincial representative for Moose Jaw for 12 years since first elected in 1999.
“First and foremost, city council works for the people of the city. So we need to listen to the people of the city — the citizens — and address issues that are important to them.”
She said working with city hall administrators would help council gain a better understanding of what needs to be done in the city. Those employees work with the issues daily.
“We need to be able to move forward with a city council that works towards a common vision and work as a team,” said Higgins. “I have earned a reputation over many years in public life that I am approachable and easy to work with and that I go into issues and meetings with an open mind and that I’m quite willing to look at all sides of an issue before making a decision.”
She said Moose Jaw has many advantages for economic development, such as education at SIAST and access to major transportation routes. As such, she said the city should be “extremely aggressive in promoting economic opportunities.” Higgins believes the city should hire a full-time economic development officer.
“We have someone that’s in charge of tourism. We have someone that’s in charge of roads. We have someone that’s in charge of transit. All of the separate areas that are important to the city all have someone that focuses on it full-time,” said Higgins. “Economic development is important for the future and to build sustainable development and ultimately broaden our tax base and provide the services that are needed in the city.”
She said recreation, culture, arts and green space are among important aspects to recruiting new people to the city.
However, one shortfall in the city is affordable housing.
For more information, see Friday's edition of the Times-Herald.
