MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Seven current councillors, mayor now officially running again
Jamie McIntosh has become the eighth member of council to announce intentions to seek re-election this October, and says his relatively late announcement had nothing to do with building suspense.
He told the News Tuesday the timing is based on how his first foray into politics in 2013 worked out.
“I made the announcement after school started and decided that was effective,” said McIntosh, a teacher in private life who is nearing the end of his first term on council.
“I think that in the middle of summer people truly aren’t thinking about the election in the fall. Now we’re back, things are in shape and we’re moving forward.”
McIntosh was one of four new faces on council following the 2013 election, joining five with council experience.
“There was a huge amount of growth for me over the term,” he said.
“We worked as a group that ... over four years, I think, has done a number of things that have put the city in a better position from where it was.”
He cited the Financially Fit budget review, which aims to shrink an operating deficit via tax increases and cost containment over 10 years.
He called it an “important step” to reduce previous budget’s reliance on resource revenue.
“There’s still significant work to do there,” said McIntosh.
Other key issues in the next term, he said, would be continuing current economic development efforts, and returning profitability to the energy division.
He said the South Saskatchewan River should play a greater role in tourism marketing.
In terms of accomplishments, he says he’s proud to jog daily on the berms built since the 2013 flood.
“Hopefully they will never be used but it took nine people to make that happen,” he said. “We had to dig into reserves but the timing was right.”
McIntosh sits on council’s utility committee and is also a member of the audit committee.
His entry into the race now means eight of the nine current council members have said they will seek re-election.
The other, Celina Symmonds, says she will announce her plans soon.
A total of 15 candidates have registered their campaigns with the chief returning officer, including two mayoral candidates, incumbent Ted Clugston and challenger Scott Raible.
Candidates must submit official paperwork by Sept. 18 to appear on the ballot on election day, Oct., 16.