Moose Jaw Forum

Doing some last minute review looking for a 6th candidate to vote for and I'm wondering about this Scott fellow.

There isn't much out there about him to go off of, but I'm liking his answers at discovermoosejaw.

On developing and growing Moose Jaw

"I'd like to develop a committee to develop Moose Jaw across the country to bring more job opportunities. The only way to increase the population and the economy is if jobs are here to attract and keep young people in Moose Jaw."

On the multiplex

"I'm for the Multiplex but against the downtown location and the process that was involved. If it was a new home for the Warriors it should have been built two years ago at a cost of $15 million at the Civic Centre location. Downtown revitalization is more than a rink and should be looked at as a whole by people trained in urban development."

On affordable housing

"I like the proposal for the Ross School development and if viable we should be considering any other property that's available, provided that it's cost effective. If not, we should look at new development."

On decorum at council

"If the people elected need to remember they represent the interests of the entire population and work towards bettering everyone's standard of living and interest and not just one sector of the population."

He seems to be on track with what I consider to be important, and his responses were alright. Anyone know Scott or had a chance to meet with him and if so, what are your impressions of him?

I never met the man but he does speak a good speak - I just wonder if elected he will walk the good walk??????
I will make a comment though I am left wondering that if a ward system might have made it easier for people to know who this guy is??? And if so many will be voting based upon recognizable names and not on the issues that this community is going to face.

I think we should give him a shot...thanks for the lowdown TD, it's hard to find 6 worth voting for with the info out there. It is refreshing to hear opinions that sound like they are his & not written for him.

I have known Scott for years , he is a good guy.
He,s young and interested in the wellbeing of the City .
And the best part , ( No Hidden Agenda )......

JJ007 wrote:I have known Scott for years , he is a good guy.
He,s young and interested in the wellbeing of the City .
And the best part , ( No Hidden Agenda )......

Are you voting for him?????????

Yes....

I will be voting for this guy.
I will admit I did not know exactly who he is and I sort of liked what he is saying so I did what any informed voter would do I got him on the telephone.
I did not tell him I was going to submit anything to this forum, I spoke to him as a voter and asked him Who are you? What do you want to accomplish? And why should I vote for you?
We spoke for over an hour. He had no complaints.

Long-time member of the Y Board.
Community involvement despite long hours in his previous job

Lack of long-term plan
Scott told me he was "fed up with the city just doing enough to get by."
Examples he gave me was the replacement of traffic signals downtown. The city scrambled to get money for one traffic signal with no plan to set aside funds to do the remainder later.
Another area is that the city just seems to pave streets and then a few years later rip up the street to replace the water and sewer lines and repave it in a patchy way. Should have been planned for and done right the first time.
Mentioned how Moose Jaw was once receiving income and now has interest payments to make because of Multi-Plex.
"Things need to be done better than this."

Sports Facilities
Many were simply monuments to previous council's capabilities.
The facilities need to be tailored to the users.
You can build something but at the same time restrict use wasn't acceptable.
Asked about the outdoor pool and wading pools and he said the same thing often shutdown early when lots of people would and wanted to make use of them.
Old Natatorium Building is a patch up job. Either fix it up right or knock it down.
Multiplex not what promised. Splitting it up not good. If all they wanted was a hockey rink could have built it years ago at present site for a lot cheaper.

Job Creation
City should have independent people out promoting the city.
Actual zero population growrth forever.
Work to create good jobs not $10 per hour to attract people.
Questions why so many local young people are leaving and that the city should look at job creation as a top priorty.
Would like to revisit old projects such as the 1980's proposed co-generation plant at the Moose Jaw Refinery. Stated that something like that was way ahead of its time and is the future. Producing good paying jobs in an area on the upswing.
Wondered why city would not have looked more closer at a proposal by a private company to buy the Old Natatorium and turn it into a health spa with rooms in the back. Could have worked out a deal to preserve the building with private firm, create jobs and maybe even provide free dressing rooms for the outdoor pool at zero cost to the city. Adding to the tax base.

Seniors
Lots of seniors in city. Need to improve bus services and street/sidewalk cleaning for them.
Need to promote facilities that are here such as Timothy Eaton Gardens and Providence Place.

Street Cleaning
Wonders why snow blowers sold when Al Schwinghammer was city engineer.
Wonders why city workers could not be called in early to clear streets before traffic and accidents.
Says a long term plan and flexibility is necessary here.
More street cleaning needs to be done, not just main roads.

Council
Questions some of the closed door meetings that took place.
Many of the Multiplex meetings never should have been behind closed doors.
Can see need for closed door meetings on some personal issues but not in most instances.
Admits he is not a politician.
Says cold work with Councilor Swanson. Would not agree with him all of the time but would work with him and listen to him because Councilor Swanson does his homework.
City needs someone on council working to get the best bang for the buck and not wasting limited dollars.
Would vote for the best for the city and is in nobody's back pocket.
Said when on Y Board disagreed with some proposals but listened to others and agreed to try something that worked out really well in the end. Shows he is open for compromise.
Would not bow to special interest groups but look at what is good for entire city. Would move dollars out of downtown area to other areas of the city not doing well.
"The downtown is doing fine."

Citizen Concerns
City needs to be open and not simply hanging up on people with concerns.
Has heard many valid concerns being made by many citizens that have not been acted upon. Same concern by many different people such as SIAST parking problems.
Will listen to special interest groups concerns but also what citizens have to say and make the right decision even if it does not suit any special interest groups. Mentioned how his e-mail has been flooded by special interest groups asking questions.

New hospital
Supports it as it is needed. It is something everyone wants.
Wonders why we would spend so much money to patch up an old facility on numerous ocassions instead of just doing it right in the first place.
Need a long-term plan to get it done the right way and not waste money.

He's a guy that wants to get things done but do them right. PROPER LONG-TERM PLANNING AND NOT CHEAPING OUT AND MAYBE DOING IT A BIT LATER WILL SAVE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN. is the best way to sum him up.

Sounds pretty good to me.

Good work TD.

I sent an email out to a friend who said Scott has been a huge supporter of the decisions of Brian and Dawn, and that he is quite concerned with the sportsplex and other facilities and the fact that there is no plan in place to maintain them.

I think I've got enough info on this guy to make a decision. He's got my vote now.

Placid wrote:Good work TD.

I sent an email out to a friend who said Scott has been a huge supporter of the decisions of Brian and Dawn, and that he is quite concerned with the sportsplex and other facilities and the fact that there is no plan in place to maintain them.

I think I've got enough info on this guy to make a decision. He's got my vote now.

U R welcome. I could have wrote more but I just wanted to sum his thoughts up.
Money can be saved in the long run with a good long-term planning. Do it right the first time and you won't have things to fix up later for yet more money. Facilities built and then not utilized because of no staff or budget showed improper planning to him.