Jeff Nelson would like to improve the City of Moose Jaw.
That was why he decided to run for city council in the upcoming municipal election.
“I love the City of Moose Jaw and I think it’s a great place to live,” said Nelson, 45. “I would like to keep it that way. I would like to help Moose Jaw to become an even better place than it is already.”
Nelson said a priority issue is the aging infrastructure that needs to be replaced.
“The infrastructure is getting older and we don’t have the money to replace it so it’s something that needs to be really looked at,” said Nelson. “I think we need to do research and a plan has to be made.”
Research needs to be done on things such as sewer and water lines, Nelson said. The city also needs to come up with a plausible solution to figure out how to pay for the research and replacements.
He added that a lot of people are interested a dog park and the city needs to do something with the wild animal park.
“I think Moose Jaw is becoming a tourist destination and I would like to keep that part going and also look at attracting other businesses that would bring higher paying jobs,” said Nelson. “So those are some of the things I’d like to do too.”
Nelson is a chef by trade and an entrepreneur. He owns two catering companies in the city and also helps young people by teaching cooking at SIAST and the Regina Skills and Trades Centre.
Right now, Nelson is teaching a culinary arts program through the Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council and on weekends, he works on a session of exhibition grounds all in addition to his catering.
Nelson began his chef career in Moose Jaw and went to Toronto for additional training before returning to Moose Jaw where he has lived for the past several years. He has travelled around Canada, working in places such as Montreal, Toronto and along the West Coast.
“I think people in Canada are very lucky to live here and I think it’s important that we give back to our community, our city and our province,” said Nelson.
He said values - such as loyalty to his friends, family and colleagues, fairness for everyone and integrity - are very important to him.
“I am a bit of an introvert so I’m a deep thinker and I’m good at solving problems so I think I can be helpful,” said Nelson. “I think those traits are good for someone that is going to be working with the public on council or any other kind of politics.”
