Mayoral candidate Elliott hopes fourth time the charm
Longtime activist says he's committed to environmental, fiscal sustainability
Nine candidates are vying for the mayor's seat in the Nov. 9 civic election. The Leader-post is profiling each one. Today, we take a look at Jim Elliott.
Jim Elliott is not deterred by his previously unsuccessful runs for mayor. Now on his fourth attempt, Elliot says he's still encouraged by the community and the voters he speaks to.
“My primary focus has always been to make this city better,” he said on Thursday morning. “Whatever I can do to help out.”
Elliott has long fought for sustainability, renewable resources and reconciliation. And while the popularity of political issues will ebb and flow, Elliott has remained steadfast in his commitment to environmentalism since — at least — the early 1990s when he was on the city's parks and recreation board. In that role, he advocated for more bike lanes and for the city to stop using pesticides and herbicides in parks.
Sustainability, both environmentally and fiscally, are key issues for Elliott now and in past elections.
“We've got kids that are in this city, that want to live in this city, that know it's not going be sustainable or perhaps even livable in their lifetime. We need to push a little more strongly,” he said.
He said the possibility exists now for renewable energy and green technology to employ people in the city, people who are facing economic hardship brought about by the pandemic.
“Green energy is a very clear job creation method at both getting people employed and saving people money,” said Elliott.
The majority of candidates for mayor come from private sector backgrounds, and Elliott feels that they often look there for answers. He feels the community, not just businesses, should take on a more active role in fixing things.
“I see the community as having much more potential to solve its own problems,” he said.
Elliott says when he first started running in mayoral races, he did not see things he valued represented or covered by other candidates. Even now as the city has developed plans to end homelessness and to become 100 per cent sustainable, he feels there is little follow through.
“We've got this wonderful vision of being sustainable and affordable
and inclusive and accessible but we've never gotten past the vision,” he said.
“We have these catchphrases, but nothing goes past that.”
Elliott is not in favour of development in Wascana Park. “I think the park should be left in its natural state,” he said further calling it “a gem.”
Throughout the pandemic there have been a number of things he has found heartening. Examples of the community coming together, be it neighbours helping neighbours or REACH and the North Central Community giving out food parcels and meals.
“People are still stepping up,” he said. “The people's strength is still there.”
So long as someone in the city finds a cause they identify with or a policy point that clicks, Elliott plans to keep coming back.
“People are phoning me up out of the blue,” he said. “They look at my platform and say, `Hey, we've finally got some stuff on the agenda; I'm voting for you.' ”
Hearing new people enthused by his platform with a passion for shared goals spurs Elliott to keep running.
“That's what gives me energy.”