14 YEARS IS ENOUGH
Ward 8 councillor Mike O’donnell stepping aside
Mike O’donnell says his 30 years as a teacher and administrator in Regina’s school divisions prepared him for his time sitting on city council.
“This is a job about dealing with people and sometimes you have to mediate,” said O’donnell, speaking on Friday morning from his home.
“Standing in front of a classroom of 30 kids, you have to work with everyone, you accept everyone, and you deal with all the things they have to offer.”
Having represented Ward 8 for 14 years, O’donnell announced he won’t seek a fifth term as councillor in Regina’s municipal election in November.
“It’s my hope that in stepping away, some younger folks will consider their involvement in civic politics,” he said, adding that he hopes a new round of younger councillors will be able to inject some energy and new ideas into the city.
“We need to maintain a youthful focus to our future.”
In an emailed statement announcing his council retirement, O’donnell wrote, “It is time for another person to have the opportunity to listen and provide leadership for the ward.”
Mayor Michael Fougere said the councillor “is a gentleman, a man of principle and a very hard worker.”
The mayor said O’donnell will be missed on council, as he always came prepared and went to bat for the causes and files he felt strongly about.
“I have a lot of admiration for Mike and I respect him a great deal,” said Fougere. “He’s going to be missed.”
Prior to running for council, O’donnell was a teacher and school administrator working as a vice-principal and sports administrator in the city. O’donnell also worked with the Regina Soccer Association, where he focused on improving indoor soccer facilities and leagues.
O’donnell grew up in Regina, living in North Central during his youth, where his parents ran a grocery store called Parkdale Confectionary. O’donnell would go on to teach at O’neill, but was also part of the first class to attend the school.
Not wanting to boast, O’donnell emphasized that, as a “piece of trivia,” he was the first person to score a touchdown in the school’s history.
“One of those unique things in life,” he said, laughing.
Over his 14-year tenure on council, O’donnell said he was proud to see Regina attract and keep new immigrants, and that the city was able to be welcoming. But on his way out, O’donnell said he won’t miss being brought in to mediate disputes between neighbours in his ward.
“I wasn’t quite prepared for that,” said O’donnell. “It really came in handy having been a vice-principal.”
Of his time on council, O’donnell said he was proud to lend his voice to encourage additional dog parks and to take steps toward Regina becoming a more sustainable city, by initiating motions on solar and alternative power sources.
He also noted that he led two National Infrastructure Summits, chaired the Olympic Torch Relay and pressed the city to opt for a paperless council.
In his post-council life, O’donnell said he “wants to play the role of grandpa” to his seven grandchildren, born to his own seven children.
“We really want make sure we have a relationship with all of them. They’re spread out across Canada,” he said.
Fougere said that before he arrived on council, he knew O’donnell’s reputation and his “fierce intellect.” For many new to council, the mayor said O’donnell was a good resource to help others get up to speed on the position.
“Mike was very well suited to do that,” said Fougere. “He’s a very strong individual, but also very tender person, often speaking to people about how they can become more involved in council.”
In addition to representing Ward 8, O’donnell was also elected to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, served on the Municipalities of Saskatchewan executive and board, and chaired the Regina Planning Commission.
In his letter, O’donnell said his door was open to anyone considering the job on council, encouraging hopeful candidates to come to him “to discuss, at length, any questions they may have about being a candidate.”
It’s my hope that in stepping away, some younger folks will consider their involvement in civic politics.