Mitchell seeks council seat

Promoting environmentally-friendly ideas at city hall, pressing social issues such as affordable housing, working towards a more co-operative city council — these are three of the main issues driving Don Mitchell to run for city council in the upcoming municipal election.

The former councillor, mayor and 2008 federal election Palliser NDP candidate handed in nomination papers on Tuesday, making him a city councillor candidate.

"I would like to contribute to positive action on renewable energy, energy conservation, waste reduction, an expanded local farmers market and affordable housing."

Mitchell, 65, told the Times-Herald be believes contentious issues have largely split the current council and future elected officials must undergo a collective exercise to develop an agenda with priorities common to all members.

“I would like to contribute to positive action on renewable energy, energy conservation, waste reduction, an expanded local farmers market and affordable housing.” - Don Mitchell

“That sense of teamwork has broken down,” he said, adding the current council as having a “leadership vacuum.”

Aside from improving council chamber conditions, Mitchell said he hopes to promote environmental issues at city hall.

For example, he said the city could adopt more environmentally-sound policies within its own daily operations, such as switching to CFL lights in all city facilities and considering switching to alternative fuel sources for city vehicles.

hugh betcha: - October 7th, 2009 at 10:42:28

Don Mitchell is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get to work. That might be a nice change from some of the coasters and slackers that just want the position to bump up their monthly income a bit. (and we've had our share of them lately.) So all you citizens out there - don't buy in to the fear mongering and name calling - this guy is a smart, decent hard working guy - he is by far the most capable candidate in the race - and all these name callers know that only too well.

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Wayne Dwop

- October 8th, 2009 at 00:50:44

i know Don . He's a hell of a guy. Give you the shirt off his back. Not a stick in the mud like some we've got now. Hugh is right. He'll do a great job for our city!

justathought: - September 30th, 2009 at 17:59:56

We do not need people like Mr Hagel and Mr Mitchell. We need a Mayor and council that are truly concerned for the city. New ideas, new plans. Lets vote in people with a plan to put this city on the map in a big way!

Stevo: - September 29th, 2009 at 16:12:05

God help us all if this guy and Swanson get voted in. Last one out turns the lights off..

DP: - September 29th, 2009 at 15:16:21

I am patiently waiting for all of you to file your papers, as obviously each and every one of you is eminently qualified. Seriously, any of the mayoral candidates will do better than the last two, and there's starting to be a decent selection for councillor as well.

Jeez: - September 29th, 2009 at 15:10:15

This is the guy who hired "Mr. Penrod" to axe city resources to the point the city had a crippled administration. This is the guy who sold all of the new snow clearing equipment the city had just bought. (That we needed just a few years later) This is the guy who was part of being ONE METER short on the Kinsmen pool. This is the guy who sent the city into numerous needless labor disputes and job actions when he was mayor...CUPE, Fire and the police strike of 1992......Its hypocrictical that he ran as a NDP candidate....... This is the guy who talks alot but accomplishes nothing. This is the guy who exhausted most of the city's reserve funds so today we are triing figure out how to replace/pay for equipment, buildings and other infrastructure at twice the cost...... This is the guy who has absolutely poor public image. I will not be voting for regression ---Mitchell & Swanson

Greg W: - September 29th, 2009 at 14:32:43

Are you kidding me with the group of would be councillors and mayors up for election. This is rediculous we need progress and there are 95% of these people who don't know the meaning of the word. People like Hagel, Mitchell, Hendry, Findlay are to old and tired to help MJ. The rest all have hidden agendas look at the facts people ex cops, ex teachers, people who don't even live here come on MJ will we ever learn, The people who should be running aren't because their will be too much vote splitting and that is really to bad. Extend the nomination deadline and get some real canidates...Geez

Yikes: - September 29th, 2009 at 14:06:19

This is not a good thing for the city of Moose Jaw... I want to know who all the shakers were that were fighting against the MP. Don M and Brian S were on council and fought to stop the Spa and Library projects.. we need to make sure these 2 are not on council. They are flat out destructive. Margaret Moran is going to do much the same as well. We need to spread the word and fast.

Clifford

- September 29th, 2009 at 14:46:20

OK I am on my way to the coffee shop and I will spread the word - You can count on me!
charlie horse

- October 9th, 2009 at 16:19:38

Message for Yikes : If you ever get a clue, my advice would be to hang on to it. The movers and shakers that masquerade as captains of industry would not touch a project like the multi-mess with their own money. its a money loser. That is why the good citizens of MJ had to anti up. Movers and shakers as long as the public purse is wide open. Socialism at work for the guys who pretend not to like it.

Hmmmm: - September 29th, 2009 at 13:44:31

Hey, it this slate gets elected it will really pee off Brad Wall now would it not.....maybe J W should run and it would be deja vous.....

Sam: - September 29th, 2009 at 13:31:41

I’m happy to hear that Don Mitchell has put his name forward to run for council. Don is a smart, considerate, even-keeled man who will help bring a spirit of co-operation which was so badly lacking on our last council. Mr. Mitchell mentions lack of affordable housing in Moose Jaw, as have many other candidates. I suggest that incentives be put in place which would entice entrepreneurs to build rental accommodations rather than just add to the thousand plus units already managed by the Moose Jaw Housing Authority. Housing co-operatives would be another avenue to explore in building up a supply of affordable housing for the less well off in our society. Having councillors who are in their 50s or 60s who are semi-retired or retired is a plus as they will have that much more time to spend on some very time consuming matters concerning the governing of our city. It’s usually people in their 20s or 30’s who seem to think that people older than them, have somehow lost their ability to contribute anything worthwhile as an elected official. The sixth largest city in Canada, Mississauga, has as its mayor the much respected Hazel McCallion, who at 88 years old was last elected with a 92% majority.

mj is in trouble: - September 29th, 2009 at 12:07:56

Moose Jaw is going to be in BIG trouble if this slate of CAVERS gets elected. I was skeptical when Hagel announced he was running, but he's only one voice. Once some of the other people decided to run like Mitchell, Gray, Moran, Yakichuk, plus some other people, you can clearly see we are in trouble. The rest of the province in growing and prospering, but Moose Jaw is still stagnate. These people don't want progress. They are stuck in the past. If you thought this last council was poor, wait until this slate of Socialists gets elected. Wow....This will be a huge NDP love in. Moose Jaw will be on the bottom of the provincial gov't's list to help. This is scary people......Be careful who you vote for. Look at the candidates closely....We need some movers and shakers in this city..not a council of Retirees. That has never benefitted Moose Jaw before. That brings up another issue, until we start paying some better wages for Mayor and council, we are only going to attract mostly pensioners. Now i am not against retired people, they have worked very hard in their life, and one or two on council is ok, but not a full slate. The mayor should get at least 100K per year, council should get at least $50 - 60 K. This might entice some strong leaders to run for the job. BE CAREFUL WHO YOU VOTE FOR!!!!!!!!

Charlie Horse

- October 7th, 2009 at 17:55:13

It is too bad that a naysayer like this takes up so much space spewing such garbage. He is trying to scare people . . . All I can say is: People - don't buy it. "This is scary" "slate of socialists" - hey wait a minute. Tommy Douglas was a socialist. Ring a bell? Only the greatest Canadian ever. People are smarter than you think - they can smell a rat in a rant like this.

anna1: - September 29th, 2009 at 11:09:53

Oh please, if it were up to Mitchell he would still be discussing whether or not MJ should build the spa. This guy is so far behind he thinks he's first.