Moose Jaw Forum

I've heard both good and bad things about Mitchell, and when he was on council/mayor I was in Elementry school so obviously I wasn't very interested in civil politics. Since he is now on council again I'd like to get to know about him a bit more, what were/are his accomplishments? What does he stand for? even what kind of a guy is he in general? Any info or feedback would be appreciated.

hey Just a Dude, I would suggest beginning by looking at the city's revenues and budgets for the years when Don Mitchell was on council, and especially when he was Mayor. You will see some people with very selective memories condemn him for making some cuts, have a look at what he had to work with, and what he accomplished. But my advice would be to maybe get some ideas of where to look from other people, but verify/analyze the facts yourself..

I have known Don for years.
I have found him a very civil man.
He is on the left-side of the NDP. Lots of people call him a socialist or a communist but it does not seem to bother him.
Don once ran for the provincial leadeship of the NDP. His supporters were on the left side of the party.
Don always seems at every election to make his way to my north hill residence and most times is the only candidate who shows up let alone chats with me for 20 minutes.
We always agree to disagree on the social issues but he respects my views and that has been going on now for 20 - 25 years.
I think the first time he came to my door was when I had a 4 by 8 foot Preston Manning sign on the front lawn.
I am not in the NDP and shake my head at them but I have voted for him now on three ocassions because at least he listened, respected my positions and told me flat out why or why not.
If I see him out and about I always say hi to him and the debate might continue if we have the time.
Don will know the issues and if he doesn't will spend hours learning them.
Don would definitely be seen as a social progressive on council.
If he believes in somethng he will say so and take the heat as a badge of honour. People on lower incomes love the guy as he champions things many of them believe in.
He was one of many long ago that worked together on such issues as Hunger In Moose Jaw.
Many in the business community and others like the Old Boys Club don't like Don.
Don is a big environmentalist and from what I can tell practices what he preaches. Shasko I would think would like him and knowing Don, he could probably teach her a lesson or two.
Don is married to Martha Tracey.
Their son was kidnapped right here in Moose Jaw by a very notorious pedophile. By some fluke, or I call it an intercession by God - Don probably wouldn't - they were found in Thunder Bay (I thnk that was the place), and Don's son returned. Later after getting out of prison in Ontario the pedophile almost immediately breached his release conditions and was re-jailed.
Martha, was to the best of my knowledge, highly involved in protecting children from pedophiles after what happened to her family.
I also think Martha worked in Social Services in Youth Probation.
Don and Brian Swanson, many years ago were in the same position that Sawanson and Luhning were in over top of the Multi-plex debate and they were allied on many issues.
That duo was despised by the same type of people who seethed at Luhning and Swanson.
I would see Mitchell easily working with those two (and others on council) for what he believes is for the good of the city.
I have never ever seen him at a Warrior game, but maybe he has been there, and if I did I think myself and half the crowd would have heart attacks. It just ain't Don's style.
Don is a guy who does not compromise his beliefs and values and I think that federally and provincially in politics he has paid for it. Don has, from what I have seen over the years, NO hidden agenda. Don is Don is what I like to say.
While on council he always did his homework.
The Fab Five of the day use to hate Swanson and Mitchell but both stuck to their principles and are still getting elected.
Don to me seems willing to work with business to bring in new jobs, but I cannot envision him ever falling into their pocket.
He was a lecturer in and you probably can guess it, Sociology, at the University of Regina.
Don was elected mayor on a lot of union support. While mayor Don had to make drastic cuts to a lot of services in response to cutbacks in provincial government transfers to municipalities.
Don lost union support and the rest is history.

Thanks for the rundown TD.

Definitely helps those of us that do not know the man as intimately. Like I'm sure a lot of us on here, I too was in school when he was Mayor and in council. Hope his past helps bring Moose Jaw into the future. Sounds promising for sure.

I probably wasn't in town when he was mayor, but I like what I'm hearing here.

Yeah Don Mitchell's innocent. Known him and his kids, and Martha Tracey, for years.

I'd like to say thank you to those who have responded so far.

I wasn't sure what to think of him but now I have more respect for him. Great forum!

I am not saying that Don is the best but he does live by his principles.
I am always arguing to him about gun control for instance. I can see farmers using guns as a tool to protect livestock and hey there just was a person killed by two coyotes the other day. Don is pro-gun control. But I do agree that if someone has it in the city it probably isn't a good thing to be walking down Main Street With.
Helping the poor. Don is a more handout kind of a guy where I am a give them the tools and a kick in the butt to work.
Healthcare we agree on need it and have it universal. I have seen the horrors of a two-tier mediacal system abroad and how the good doctors only look after those with money.

I have sworn about some of the things he has done but then again I have about Swanson as well, but deep down he is committed and just trying to do what he believes is good for Moose Jaw.
All I can say is - DON IS DON.

Another good person - fiscally responsible, realist - to have on council in order to try and clean up the mess left from the last group of five!