MOOSE JAW — Jamaal James announced that he will be running for a spot on Moose Jaw’s city council in the upcoming civic election. Following his announcement, the Moose Jaw Express reached out for a few comments on Oct. 29.
Q: “What motivated you to enter public service?”
A: James said that he was motivated by “A desire to do my part to help my community grow and thrive.”
Q: “How would you describe yourself as both an individual and as a candidate?”
A: “Honest, accountable, and approachable,” James replied. As a candidate, he said that he describes himself as “Someone who isn’t afraid to do the right thing — even if it isn’t popular.”
Q: “How do you stay connected to the community?”
A: “By talking to people and being involved in different activities, committees, and groups,” he said. “I’m currently vice-chair of the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery (MJMAG) board, I was involved with the Cultural Development Planning Committee, I’ve worked with MJ Residents Against Discrimination and Racism (RADAR), and I’m active in my union as lodge vice-president.”
Q: “How would you describe your vision for the city?”
A: “I see us becoming a city on the rise,” James said. “A city where we have great infrastructure and services, affordable housing, and fair taxation. A place where people want to raise their families, set up shop, and be proud to call home.
“I see a city where we plan big projects well, and execute properly and responsibly,” he continued. “I see a council that is honest and accountable to our residents, and ensures that we spend their tax dollars in ways that are sensible, sustainable, and (to) deliver maximum benefit to as many people as possible.”
Q: “How will you ensure accountability and transparency in your role?”
A: “By being open with people and willing to talk about the issues that impact our residents — even if we don’t see eye to eye,” James replied. “I want to give people honest answers for decisions that I make which impact their families and livelihoods.”
Q: “What are your top guiding values?”
A: James said his top values are honesty, integrity, and accountability. “(I also believe in) Doing the right thing — even if it isn’t easy,” he added.
Q: “What would you say are the top three issues or concerns in Moose Jaw that you would like to address?”
A: “Taxation is a huge priority for me,” he said. “We need fair and consistent assessments, and to be responsible with the dollars that come from it.
“Infrastructure is another huge issue that I want to tackle. We have major vital infrastructure projects that need to be completed ASAP, so prioritizing getting those done — and done right — is at the top of the list for me.
“Poverty reduction and affordability are vital,” James said in his third point. “We need to find effective and tangible solutions to address and mitigate poverty, food insecurity, and housing so that we can keep people from falling into (a cycle of) mental illness, addiction, and homelessness. We need to find sensible ways to address the root cause(s) in order to mitigate the effects of people falling into vulnerable situations.”
Q: “In your own words, why should people vote for you?”
A: “People should vote for me because I have a vested interest in seeing the city that I love — and have spent my entire life in — grow and thrive,” James said. “I’m not afraid to say ‘No’ when something makes no sense for our city, and I’m willing to give straight answers as to why I make decisions.”
James said he’s ready to face the challenges that are ahead of him.
“We have a great city with some big challenges ahead, but we have the ability to tackle them and set our city up for long-term success and prosperity,” he said. “I want to be a part of that process.
“With your support, and surrounded by others with diverse ideas and perspectives who share a common goal of Moose Jaw ascending to new heights, we can achieve great things.”
To learn more about Jamaal James, visit JamaalForCouncil.com or follow him on Facebook at ‘Jamaal James for City Council.’ James can be reached by email at [email protected] and also runs a TikTok account (‘jamaalforcouncil’) and X (formerly Twitter) account at ‘jcjames34.’
A complete list of election candidates with a link to their interviews can be found at "MJVotes24: A list of all 29 candidates in upcoming civic election."
The upcoming civic election will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
