And the first person declaring his intentions to run for Moose Jaw 'smayor in the upcoming October civic election is . . . Ernie Penney.
The 45-year-old Mosaic employee said he has lived in the Moose Jaw area his whole life and has always had a real interest in the Friendly City.
"It's a great place to live and I want to make it an even better place," Penney told the Times-Herald. He also ran for local office during the 1994 election, when he lost his bid to serve as a councillor.
"It's been on the back of my mind ever since."
At the time, Penney was a recently single father of five. He had sold the livestock on the family farm and was looking for work and residence in the city while going through adult education.
He found lodging thanks to the Moose Jaw Housing Authority and, despite what challenges might have existed in his personal life, Penney said he still managed to win 1994 Citizen of the Year for his role as chairman of the penny project, which raised $10,000 towards the renovations and expansion of the Moose Jaw Public Library.
Penney said volunteering is his lifelong passion and he currently serves with many organizations, including the Moose Jaw Canada Day Committee and the Saskatchewan Goat Breeders Association.
He still works the family farm, where he lives with his current wife (who brought four more children from a previous marriage into his family). At the moment, although he has always considered himself a Moose Javian, Penney is not technically a resident of Moose Jaw, as his farm is just beyond the city boundaries.
However, he started renting an apartment in downtown Moose Jaw and will be a legal resident by September, which is early enough for him to seek the mayor's chair.
Although he has no official platform yet - he says that will soon come - Penney said trying to find an inexpensive rental unit recently proved quite difficult and made him realize at least one local issue he would like to address as mayor.
"Our city needs more affordable housing."
Penney said someone with a low-paying job would have trouble finding an apartment locally that didn't drain a large portion of monthly wages and the city should do its part to try and improve that situation.
Before XL Beef shut down temporarily in the spring, Penney was an employee at the plant. Although he found other work right away, Penney said he knows of former co-workers who are still unemployed. Although he expects the plant will open again in the fall, Penney said the situation demonstrates the need for more jobs locally and he thinks the city must campaign aggressively to attract new business.
He believes projects such as the multiplex aid in attracting such business.
In 2006, Penney unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the Rural Municipality of Moose Jaw's council.
Carter Haydu can be reached at 691-1265.
Ernie Penney first to enter mayor's race
Ernie Penney first to enter mayor's race
-
Published on
June 30, 2009
- Published on July 10, 2009
-
Staff ~ The Moose Jaw Times Herald
- Rate
- Top of the page
Comments
-
- charlie horse
- - October 9, 2009 at 12:43:48
What you are looking at is a working man. "Stating The" may not have ever seen one before, so be patient. They work for a living. Pay taxes; that sort of thing. . aka Swansonites.
-
- S
- - September 18, 2009 at 15:07:01
If it's between Penny and Hagel..then Penny has my vote for mayor..at least he's honest! Plus I believe he is sincere in what can be done.
-
- darkwing
- - September 18, 2009 at 15:06:28
i heard hagel would start a new trend in local politics by actually conducting city buisness in the public eye. This would allow the back rooms to be once again used for storage or whatever else.
-
- Colleen
- - September 18, 2009 at 15:02:58
For anyone to suggest that Glen Hagel is anything but honest shows the lowlifes we have in Moose Jaw. He has given years to improve the life in this backward community. The Sask Party did not accomplish anything in making a mountain out of a molehill. They only made themselves look like a bunch of incompetent politicians, which they are. The problem with Moose Jaw voters is that they wouldn't recognize a quality candidate if they were to trip over him.
-
- Colleen
- - September 18, 2009 at 15:02:02
You believe what you have been told and I will believe what I feel about unions. We now have a society that feels the workers have the right to tell owners how to run the show. Workers do not risk their money to keep a business afloat. Workers are making ridiculous demands and perks are just as ridiculous. If workers earned exactly what they were worth they would work harder. We lost a brewery in Regina because workers were lazy and getting away with reading Playboy instead of actually doing something to increase productivity. Million dollar upgrade wasted because of union workers. And that goes on every day. The only time a union worker gets excited is strike day.
-
- David
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:57:46
I hope the deposit isn't too much when this person finally decides to enter the race for mayor. I wouldn't want to see him lose a huge amount.
-
- Yucky
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:57:15
Ha HA HA HA .............nice pic you loser, have you showered this decade ?
-
- Dwight
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:55:29
I really don't care who gets in for mayor, just as long as Swanson doesn't get on city council again.
If you want to watch the BEST COMEDY SHOW on T.V. just watch a city council meeting !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Would someone please tell Swanson that the Multiplex is going ahead.
It seems that he can't get it through his skull that it is a go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-
- hugh betcha
- - October 7, 2009 at 10:11:13
Swanson and Luhning speak for the thousands of residents and taxpayers who think that municipal government should concentrate more on infastructure - streets, sidewalks - that sort of thing - than spending our kid's future on what is for the most part a hockey rink. If the multiplex is such a money-maker then where were all those captains of industry? Truth is we have now mortgaged our future, and we'll make the best of it. But don't kid yourself, Swanson gets it - he's one of the few that does. Ddddwayne obviously does not.
-
- Jimmy
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:55:22
Actually, he looks like he just got in from the field. The goat herder's got my vote. That is, unless a former teacher runs.
-
- B
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:53:07
Penny may be what we need in the mayor's chair. Someone who is honest, down to earth and can't be bought, unlike some of our current council.
-
- rob
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:51:43
Hey I've had the priv to know Ernie for a lot of years and think his kindness and honesty would be welcomed in the chair ,mind we could have a goat show every year or a petting zoo of sorts .X from me Ernie
-
- Hmm
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:48:12
Why do you say that, Stating the Obvious? Are you just assuming? I read the part where it said he believes projects such as the multiplex help attract business. I cannot imagine Swanson or anyone on the same page as him would say that. He also led a drive to raise money for the expansion of the library. This is not sounding CAVE-ish - am I missing something?
-
- greg
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:39:16
I hope their are no present councillors planning to run for mayor. I also hope Glen Hagel doesn't run as we've had enough stupidness in this city. he'd be ok as far as organizing parties and celebrations but as far as mayor, forget it. I really think lorne had a hard time putting him anywhere in cabinet that he wouldn't screw up but even as minister of social services he ended up being investigated by the authorities..Stay retired.
-
- g
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:32:16
If glen runs for mayor we are totally screwed. this guy will get bounced out of the premier's office on his head. This city needs a new face not some tired old proffessional politician who has rode off taxpayers coat tails for a quarter of a century now..please don't run. We will be sunk for sure
-
- Jeff
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:21:28
Stan,
Why do people always assume that everyone who supports the NDP is a union member. I'm a business owner and I support the NDP. Last election, Hagel only lost to Michelson by about 40 votes . There are a lot of poeple who support him. -
- Stating the
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:20:27
Card carrying C.A.V.E member right here ladies and gentlemen. Take a good look, this is what a Swansonite looks like when they come out of their basements.
-
- What?
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:06:26
What's he looking at?
-
- Lisa
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:49:16
Just wanting to give props to the TH for posting a really flattering photo of the guy. First impressions are everything and this dude looks like someone snapped him on their phone camera after a two-four of Pil!!!
-
- Stan
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:47:47
Lowlifes in Moose Jaw. You better check the independant report done on the happenings in the Hagel office. We are not lowlifes according to the report it is the Cheif Commisioners office. Sorry colleen - polish off your union card and go whine somewhere else!
-
- sTAN
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:43:03
At least he is not lieing about anything. Not like any other candidates!
-
- Fred
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:35:26
If Hagel removed backroom politics, how would these vampire-clowns suck on the taxpayers?
-
- Colleen
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:33:31
Sorry to burst your bubble Stanney boy but I have never carried a union card and firmly believe that most of our economic woes stem from greedy union workers. Their dmands have ruined this country. We used to have manufacturing jobs and they have all been shipped overseas where wages are not inflated. Here we have groundskeepers earning wages and perks like they were performing brain surgery. Every time a union person goes on strike the rest of the country suffers. But I still think Hagel has more to offer the mayors office than an under achiever.
-
- Fred from Moose Jaw
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:24:19
Is this a joke????
-
- S
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:23:22
Colleen: I would hesitate to ever refer to Mr. Penny as being an 'under achiever'. These are not words to describe this man. Seems to me he has accomplished quite a bit in his life. Success is not always measured in dollars and cents...
Mr. Hagel's record speaks for itself...'nuff said. -
- Stu
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:07:57
Colleen, Your belief system is out of whack. You say it is the greedy union workers that have caused the economic woes?? A statement like that comes from the mouth of a fool!
The current economic crisis was caused by the meltdown of the bloated US financial sector, not by greedy union workers.
The largest corporations on the planet have, for too long, been engaged in a massive tax shell game consisting of tax avoidance, flight of capital, asset manipulation, ponzi schemes, and the like.
People like you need to think about who brought about changes to things like minimum wage laws, occupational health and safety regulations, maternity/paternity leave, pension plans, 40 hour work week, health benefit plans, etc.. I can imagine what our country would look like without these things. Poverty wages, no human rights, child labour, abused workers, so that the corporations can profit even more? Most companies don't just give you these things because they want to. Unions have benefited EVERY worker. As for the country suffering because of strikes...over 95% of agreements are reached without job action.
The only thing we will probably agree with is that so far, Mr.Hagel is the best option. H -
- Stu
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:05:42
Colleen,
Here's a thought Colleen, maybe the employers should open their books and show the data on profits, productivity, and labour costs. For your information, the brewery didn't close because of the reasons you stated. I don't know where you get your information. I don't believe everything I am told, my life experiences count more for me. I have worked in both union and non-union workplaces, as an employee and in management. I have also owned a business.
If employers treated their employees like they already had a union, there would be no need for one. But, there are few employers that do so.
As I have said before, unions have benefited ALL employees unionized or not.
Get educated Colleen and not through the right wing media!
You should step out of your boxed mind and go meet a few unionized workers, chances are you come across them everyday, why not tell them what you think of them and see how excited they get?....and it probably won't even be strike day . -
- introvert from Moose Jaw
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:03:48
I have known Mr. Penney for many years and to call him an under achiever is a waste of words,obviously you do not know how hard Mr. Penney works. He helps in the community every chance he gets, he runs a farm and works full time and when someone calls, they know they can rely on him to help.He has never said a harsh word about anyone or to anyone. Acheivement does not always mean having a diploma hanging on the wall, sometimes acheivement is shown by commitment to his family, friends and community and that is something you can not take away from Ernie is his commitment to the above. My last statement is to Yukky from sk. Don't judge a book by its cover, I have read many books to know that the cover does not show what is in the inside. Mr Penney gets my vote for becoming Mayor and an achiever.
-
- Stan
- - September 18, 2009 at 12:58:29
Lowlifes in Moose Jaw. You better check the independant report done on the happenings in the Hagel office. We are not lowlifes according to the report it is the Cheif Commisioners office. Sorry colleen - polish off your union card and go whine somewhere else!
-
- greg
- - September 18, 2009 at 12:55:58
I hope their are no present councillors planning to run for mayor. I also hope Glen Hagel doesn't run as we've had enough stupidness in this city. he'd be ok as far as organizing parties and celebrations but as far as mayor, forget it. I really think lorne had a hard time putting him anywhere in cabinet that he wouldn't screw up but even as minister of social services he ended up being investigated by the authorities..Stay retired.
Come on Yucky, who knows - maybe he cleans up quite nicely. And who are you- George Clooney? But I take your point, it makes you wonder if Ernie is a serious candidate. Maybe that's what we need. A mayor in overalls instead of a suit and tie. What bothers me about watching council meetings this past term is how stiff and formal they all try to talk, Especially city administration when answering a question. They put more effort into flowering up their language than actually answering the question honestly. They are all trying to appear so damned smart. Most of the time it doesn't work. Just speak plain English.