MOOSE JAW — Coun. Crystal Froese says she wants to be Moose Jaw’s next mayor and would focus on economic development to help grow the community and ensure existing businesses thrive.
With dozens of supporters in attendance, Froese announced on Oct. 3 in Crescent Park that she was running for the mayor’s chair in November’s municipal election.
“We need a city that works for us and attracts investment. This includes building stronger relationships with our surrounding municipalities (including) their reeve(s) and councillors,” said Froese, noting Moose Jaw needs partners to help find a new landfill location and grow the agri-food industrial park.
Bringing together community business owners to acquire their input about making the city’s processes more efficient with less red tape is important because the municipality should support them when they expand or develop new projects, which leads to job creation, she continued.
“Leadership is about action, not just a position. As mayor, I will ensure that we pursue and are ready to seize the opportunity for growth and prosperity that fits Moose Jaw,” Froese added. “Because this city and its people deserve nothing less.”
Froese said her long-term vision is ensuring there are more businesses here — such as head offices — that can provide high-paying positions. Furthermore, since Moose Jaw is surrounded by and filled with agriculture-related companies and programs, she wanted to see more value-added businesses here to support that sector.
The two-term councillor also says the community must prepare to support “a pretty extraordinary expansion” at 15 Wing Air Base once the 25-year, $11.2-billion Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program takes flight.
Second time’s the charm
Froese finished in second place during the 2021 mayoral byelection, coming up 41 votes short. Asked why she thinks she can win this time, she said that she believes she has more support this time.
“I think I’ve really spent this last three years really proving myself to the citizens that I’m a really good listener and I act on things,” she said. “I follow up and I do everything I can to make our city better.”
Even though some situations cannot be changed as quickly as residents would like, Froese said she has brought their concerns to council to at least kick-start that change process.
If elected mayor, Froese said she would lead “laterally” by sharing information with all members, providing advice to the new councillors and helping them pull together while respecting their opinions and votes’ results.
Community involvement
Froese highlighted the many groups, boards and committees on which she has served, including the Prairie South School Division board — she won’t run for trustee this election — and the police commission. She noted that she would continue serving on most committees since the mayor is “ex-officio” and automatically a member.
Serving on these boards has also helped Froese address the concerns that residents have brought to her, from roads to garbage to seniors’ issues to safety.
“People know I listen, I follow up and I act … ,” she said. “My door is open. My phone is on. I return calls, even the difficult ones.”
Froese pointed to her advocacy in ensuring the Moose Jaw Police Service was adequately resourced with more officers, extra crisis team members, more internet child exploitation investigators, improved downtown patrols and stronger public-focused communications.
Many of those areas have been addressed, she noted, from the province providing eight new officers to the policing agency instituting an anti-trespassing initiative to more businesses participating in a crime prevention program (CPTED).
Addressing homelessness
When asked what role the city had in addressing homelessness, Froese said Moose Jaw is a small city that lacks the resources to support major social issues. However, council can encourage the province to provide funding and support community organizations already doing good work.
Furthermore, the municipality can work with and support emergency responders and help communicate some of their front-line activities, such as downtown patrols, crime deterrent programs, and meetings with business owners.
“I think that’s going to make a pretty significant difference in our community,” Froese added.
Infrastructure work
Infrastructure is also important to Froese, who pointed to her support for projects such as the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant renewal, the cast iron water main replacement program, and a new reservoir and pumphouse.
However, she said there are big challenges ahead, including funding the 2025 budget, finding $66 million for the Crescent View Lift Station project, the nearly $30-million Fourth Avenue Bridge rebuild, the construction of a new outdoor pool and continued roads and sidewalks renewal.
“These are significant tasks, but together, we can rise to meet them,” Froese added. “Together, we can make our city stronger, not just by addressing today’s challenges, but by building a future where businesses thrive, our streets are safe and every citizen feels heard.”
