As mayoral candidate Fraser Tolmie prepared to introduce his campaign platform Thursday night, he began with an anecdote.
Tolmie, who has served the past three years as a city councillor, said he was recently at the Superstore when he walked past a six-year-old girl who was shopping with her mother.
“Mom,” he heard the girl say as he went by, “that’s the guy who’s running for President.”
Tolmie said the story served a dual purpose: first, to illustrate that, even down to a small child who likely recognized him from his campaign posters, there’s a palpable sense of something happening in Moose Jaw during this campaign.
He also said the tale represents a primary goal of his as a politician: to keep the city progressing toward a healthy future, where today’s children will stay to build their careers and raise their families.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said to the small crowd of media and supporters gathered at his campaign headquarters, “this election is about the future.”
Tolmie, 42, is one of two candidates seeking the office of mayor of Moose Jaw. He was the first to announce his intention to run in early September.
He released his platform on Thursday night from his campaign office at Victory Church on Main Street North, outlining his goals for the term ahead.
Speaking to the Times-Herald following his presentation, Tolmie said he views himself as someone who will stand up as an advocate for the city.
“We’ve watched as other cities have progressed at a much faster rate, and they’ve already had a head start,” he said. “There are things we need to fix, but we can’t ignore the future.”
He also spoke of the importance of working together with the council that is elected, of respecting and listening to each other.
“You don’t compromise your values, you look for common ground,” he said. “Every person that’s elected is there to do their best for Moose Jaw, and I understand that.”
In his presentation, he pledged to offer a fresh, strong voice to represent the city, to welcome business and nurture economic growth.
For more information, see Friday's edition of the Times-Herald.
