Moose Jaw’s Karen Andersen Tyers, a co-manager at Joe’s Locksmith, announced her candidacy for the position of Moose Jaw mayor on Friday. Tyers said she decided to run about a month ago after hearing complaints around town about the operations at city hall.
“It’s just everybody complaining about this and that and everything.” She told the Times-Herald the cause of this public distress, in her opinion, is a lack of proper communication in city hall and city council. Tyers said as mayor she would work to increase the flow of communication between council and administration, as well as city hall and the citizenry.
She said communication is part of her campaign goal to promote healthy change. “Change is an opportunity for growth.” At 38 years old, Tyers said she feels her age is an asset. She believes she is able to connect with broad age groups.
Tyers, who is currently raising children on top of helping run a business, said she has a lot of life experience that could benefit city council and the community if she were mayor. Prior to moving into the Friendly City 11 years ago, Tyers attended the University of Regina but was unable to finish due to the time restraints of being a single mother. She worked in a local doctor’s office before getting married last year, after which time she started working with her husband at the local locksmith. If elected, Tyers said she would be able to quit working with her husband to make municipal politics her priority. Tyers said she would be a “hands -on” mayor, dedicated to the office and taking all citizens concerns into consideration. Tyers believes the city isn’t currently listening to all aspects of its citizenry and that’s something she intends to change.
“Change is an opportunity for growth.” - Karen Anderson Tyers
She added that as of Friday, she isn’t yet ready to unveil what her campaign might look like. However, she has been compiling in her mind what she would do if elected mayor, based largely on issues brought forth from people with whom she speaks. Tyers joins Ernie Penney and Glenn Hagel as candidates for the mayoral seat.
City hall starts accepting candidate nomination forms on Monday and the civic election will be on Oct. 28. If she wins the election, Tyers would be Moose Jaw’s first female mayor, and she is confident that’s exactly what will happen.Carter Haydu can be reached at 691-1265.
