MOOSE JAW — Incumbent councillor Heather Eby has announced that she is running in the Nov. 13 municipal election. Presented below are Eby’s answers to questions from the Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com.
Why do you want to run again?
We have made some big strides in the last few years on infrastructure renewal and I want to continue to ensure that these big projects don’t stall out. It would be easy for new a council to not know how hard we fought to get these things in the budget and moving along. I believe it’s important that the historic knowledge of how we got here is not lost. My experience will help keep these projects in the forefront.
What did you think of your previous experience on council?
I have been so fortunate to be on council with several experienced councillors right from my first term. Even though we have not always agreed, I have always taken the opportunity to ask questions of seasoned veterans and learn from their experience and glean from their particular skill sets.
What do you think this council did well and what were some of its achievements?
We listened to people and acted. People wanted us to re-evaluate SAMA, and although we didn’t make the changes people hoped we would, we did ask a lot of questions of SAMA and some assessments did change for certain properties. There is still work to do in this area, but we did listen and did initiate some change.
We also listened when people asked for a public meeting regarding the homeless situation in our city. We were not required to, but we did and it was well attended and we heard from many people that night.
We supported the opening of North 49 Pork Processing Plant and the re-use of the long-abandoned XL Beef plant.
We approved the creation of a slump zone strategy that, although it doesn’t affect every resident in the city, is critical for some areas.
We dealt with the problem at Stadacona Apartments.
We approved the Warriors’ contract renewal, which had been unsigned for quite some time.
We agreed to a partnership with the Warriors for an advertising and capital enhancement program.
The 16th Avenue NW Feeder Main was a huge project to get underway.
We approved the creation of a grant writer position, which has already resulted in a number of grants for city programs and projects that we very well may never have applied for otherwise.
What areas do you think council should have done better or missed addressing?
There are always things that could be done better and one of those things is I think we let the decorum and following of proper procedure in council chambers begin to slip and become lax. City council is the third highest level of government in the country and I believe it deserves to be treated with respect and in high regard. It is not a willy-nilly organization to be taken lightly. Respect is imperative.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
It is my hope that we will be able to address the Crescent View Lift Station replacement in the next year or two. As well, the Fourth Avenue Bridge is a huge project that is becoming a “must do.” Economic Development is always on the list and with a few projects coming to fruition, hopefully they will be catalyst for more business development.
What would be your top area(s) of focus?
Core Infrastructure.
What issues do you think need to be addressed in Moose Jaw?
Core Infrastructure. Business development and retention. Cleaning things up. The “look” of the city at times could definitely be improved.
How would you make life more affordable for residents?
Council only has so much power over general affordability. Of course, keeping tax increases, city utilities and user fees as reasonable as possible is always the goal.
How would you reign in excessive and/or unnecessary spending? Would you consider cutting taxes or reducing projects?
I am not interested in making cuts just for the sake of making cuts. Cutting programs or projects that are vital just kicks the can down the road and makes re-implementing things more expensive in the future.
Think how much more cast iron could have been replaced 20 or 30 years ago if it had been done when it should have been done instead of putting it off? If there are programs citizens feel they can live without, then I would absolutely be willing to cut them. But to cut something that just needs to be re-instated at a higher cost in the future really isn’t a saving for anyone. And it does not lend itself to a good quality of life. As far as excessive or unnecessary spending — if I knew what you were specifically referring to, I could answer that.
Would you approve of using taxpayers’ money to support the Hilton Hotel project and/or a related parkade?
Any business development is a private venture and does not receive city funding. If a project of any kind needs zoning amendments or reasonable policy changes — absolutely I would support that. If there are synergies within the city when developers are developing, it is only in the best interest of everyone when people work together instead of opposing each other.
How would you address the issues facing the community’s impoverished and homeless residents?
This issue is not isolated to Moose Jaw. It has definitely increased since the end of the pandemic here and everywhere. My opinion is that one of the biggest factors is mental health and addiction and those things fall outside the parameters of city council. We can definitely support agencies that are working to help in these areas with policies and representation but taking a financial role in it is not in our mandate.
How would you enhance security or safety in the community?
We are going to have eight more police officers in 2025, which will definitely help. Our PACT Unit is a huge asset and we need to continue to resource the Moose Jaw Police Service properly in order to be sure this program continues. I am a huge supporter of foot and bike patrols in downtown Moose Jaw, including Crescent Park and I will continue to push for those.
Supporting the levels of government and agencies that fund and manage mental health and addictions and homelessness initiatives is vital. But it is my strong stance that we must work within our mandate and not dabble in issues that don’t belong to us.
What steps would you take to increase economic growth or encourage businesses to move here?
There are changes happening in the planning and development and economic development departments that will help reduce red tape and hopefully make doing business in Moose Jaw more seamless. I will always support initiatives within these departments to make things simpler and easier to navigate, whether that’s technology or restructuring.
How would you address the issues between SAMA and the business community? Would you push harder for that secondary audit?
I don’t know if “pushing harder” for a secondary audit would result in any change. But meeting with other cities that are doing things differently than we are may be a good start. Perhaps a contingency of the mayor, city manager and a couple of councillors taking a trip to another city to find out how things work there may be warranted.
But property assessment is legislated and therefore no matter who does it, the manual and processes used will always be the same. But if there is a better, revolutionary way to do it I’m completely open to exploring that if it’s what is deemed best for Moose Jaw.
Would you halt spending money on the agri-food industrial park until an anchor tenant is found?
I believe the $780 million Great Plains Power Station is our anchor tenant.
What is your long-term vision for the community 10 to 20 years down the road? How would you bring that to fruition?
It is my hope that in 20 years Moose Jaw’s reserve system will still be annually funding a good portion of the budget. My vision also includes an infrastructure renewal program that is nearly caught up to where it should be; I’m not saying it will ever be completed but we could be in a much better shape.
Most importantly, my vision is of a city that has left division aside and is operating in unity. I also hope that a new sense of community pride has taken deep root within the next few years and is flourishing in all areas of life in Moose Jaw by then.
Why should people vote for you?
My experience allows me to be a councillor who can be a good resource to new members of council as well as administration. I am a team player and will work to collaborate with colleagues to move decisions and initiatives forward. I am a person who does what I say I’m going to do.
Respect and professionalism are very important to me and I will carry those values into all meetings of council and committees and beyond. I promise to be prepared for every meeting and to use my experience and knowledge to make good decisions that will benefit our beautiful city.
