Mayor-elect Fraser Tolmie says he is humbled and honoured to be re-elected for a second term and to have the chance to represent the citizens of Moose Jaw.
“I’ve always said that the potential of Moose Jaw has always been in its people. And in my last four years, I’ve been able to see great things and … what they’ve been able to accomplish,” Tolmie said at city hall on Nov. 9 after the election finished. “So I’m very excited about that.”
Tolmie received 3,189 votes during the Nov. 9 municipal election, representing about 55.06 per cent of all ballots cast for mayor. John Kot received 2,316 votes — or about 39.99 per cent — while Nancy Nash received 287 votes or about 4.96 per cent.
A total of 5,793 ballots were cast for mayor during the election, which means roughly 22 per cent of the electorate turned out to vote this year. None of the numbers are official until city hall releases all the data on Friday, Nov. 13.
Tolmie thanked everyone who ran during the election, pointing out to run for politics means making oneself vulnerable and exposed to the public.
“You campaign on your record. So I think our record has been strong and I think the people have recognized that,” he continued. “And we’re very excited to continue the good work for the people of Moose Jaw by making sure that infrastructure is addressed, that we will continue to focus on economic development, and at the same think about the things that make a community grow.
“We will continue to do that. We will always circle back to our campaign promises and make sure we are fulfilling those promises as we did in the first term.”
Voters chose three new city councillors — Jamey Logan, Kim R. Robinson and Doug Blanc — to represent them and decided that council incumbents Crystal Froese, Heather Eby and Dawn Luhning should also return.
Tolmie said he looked forward to working with this group for the next four years.
“I’m someone that is a consensus-builder (or) a bridge-builder. I’ve liked what I’ve seen. I’ve liked the majority of what people have been bringing to the table,” he continued. “So what you need to do is you need to sit down and ask them, ‘What did they mean by some of the nuances that they used?’ We will address that to make sure that there is absolute clarity.
“And we want to make sure that those councillors achieve their platforms as well. And you have to look at a collaborative approach and that requires communication and dialogue. And that’s what we’re going to continue to do as we have done in the first term. And most people buy in and that’s what I’m hoping this term.”
Tolmie was excited for an announcement about economic growth in Moose Jaw that was to happen on Nov. 10. He noted that city council and city administration had worked hard to bring this project forward.
Since Moose Jaw operates in a global market, council’s job is to advocate for — and be the face of — the community and not run it down, he added. Residents deserve good jobs, along with good businesses that contribute to the economy, the community, sports teams, social organizations and clubs.
The new council will be sworn in on Monday, Nov. 16.
