MOOSE JAW — Steven White is running for a spot on city council in the upcoming civic election. Following his announcement, the Moose Jaw Express reached out with a few questions.
Q: “What motivated you to enter public service?”
A: “My family,” White replied. “They are my world and I want to make sure they have a city that is safe, clean, and thriving so that when (my children) finish university this is a place they want to call home.”
Q: “How would you describe yourself as both an individual and as a candidate?”
A: “I am an extremely hardworking and passionate individual,” he said. “I don’t believe in taking ‘No’ for an answer just because it’s the easy way out. If we need a solution to a problem, let’s dig in and find out the best one.
“My family always comes first and I’ve travelled this country to make sure my daughters get to their events and can perform at the highest levels.”
Q: “How do you stay connected to the community?”
A: “I try to be involved in as many of my family’s activities as possible. I’m coach of the St. Agnes girls basketball team, and I attend all the volleyball, basketball, and archery events that I possibly can. I’m involved with the Filipino community and recently sat on two City of Moose Jaw advisory boards as well as the St. Agness SCC for over a decade,” White said.
“I’m one of those people who smiles and talks to anyone…,” he added.
Q: “How would you describe your vision for the city?”
A: “My vision for the city is to see a vibrant, safe, and welcoming community that attracts business, tourists, and families that not only want to visit, but also to stay and grow this community,” White said. “We have long been The Friendly City and we need to bring back that ‘feel’ to the community again.”
Q: “How will you ensure accountability and transparency in your role?”
A: “Accountability will be met by starting with city council holding the city employees accountable for their job titles. First and foremost, we are employed and elected to serve the citizens of Moose Jaw. Some seemed to forget that.
“There is no excuse to hear stories of how citizens’ (concerns) have fallen on deaf ears at city hall when they needed our help the most. (I’ve seen it take) two months to answer emails, (I’ve heard residents) being told they can’t speak to council without council knowing about their issue, and (have seen) work being done in front of their businesses without consultation to find a way to make sure customers can still get to their business.
“These things are unacceptable; the culture needs to change.”
Q: “What are your top guiding values?”
A: White said his top guiding values are family, morality, hard work, and commonsense.
“My guidance will always come back to how something will affect my family. Is it morally the right thing to do? Does it make sense to do this? Then, nothing else matters because I will work as hard as necessary to accomplish the goal.”
Q: “What would you say are the top three issues or concerns that you would like to address?”
A: White said the top three issues he sees are crime, infrastructure, and growth. “If we don’t fix the first two, we will never get the last one to fall in place,” he explained.
“If tourists and businesses come to our city and see that it is unsafe and then (they) leave with $1,000 auto repair bills, no one will want to come back. Tourism Moose Jaw has done an amazing job attracting people to our city; we now must put into place the things that make (visitors) want to return and, more importantly, stay.”
Q: “In your own words, why should people vote for you?”
A: “I believe people should vote for me because they will always get an honest answer to their questions,” White replied. “I’m not afraid to tackle the tough issues (and will not) back away from finding a solution. If you want to see change going forward and someone who will listen to your issues, I’m the right person for the job.”
In his concluding remarks, White referenced the recent mayoral forum. “As was stated at the mayoral forum… with five people running for mayor and 24 for council, the citizens have stated they are looking for change. Between now and Nov. 13, citizens have the opportunity to make that change. The power is in their hands.
“I believe all hope is not lost and we can turn this ship around before it’s too late — but we need to act now. I am truly honoured and thankful for all the words of support I have received and look forward to serving the community as one of your next city councillors. Thank you,” White concluded.
Steven White can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 306-690-7136. You can follow his campaign on Facebook at ‘Steven J. White for Moose Jaw City Council.’
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.
