It’s going to be some interesting and very busy times when it comes to politics in Saskatchewan this fall. Essentially, we’re all headed to the polls twice on back-to-back Mondays; that is, if the reported election dates are absolutely set in stone.
First up is the provincial election, which Google says is taking place on Monday, November 2. This is followed by municipal elections in all communities big and small exactly one week later on November 9.
I want to dedicate this space to the political scene at the local level, the inspiration coming from a conversation my co-worker Shelley and I had last Friday afternoon.
See, I get a real kick out of the random bullpen sessions in the office where my co-workers and I basically solve all of Outlook's problems; or at least, we like to *think* we have. Mind you, we've been labeled some interesting things by elected officials when we tried addressing and highlighting such things in the past, but let’s just say that cow’s already been milked. Those bullpen sessions are our version of Coffee Row; a time spent reflecting on what’s going on out there in the public, what we feel would be the ideal solution in certain situations, things of that nature.
Shelley and I got on the topic of elections and what kind of qualities someone should have if they wanted to serve their community, and it got me thinking about this being a municipal election year. Specifically, we were left wondering who may be interested in running for local office in the Town of Outlook. With that question at hand, it brought out several others that need honest answers. What do the roles of Mayor or town councillor all entail? How much of a time investment is it? Is it as thankless of a job as it looks on the outside looking in? What qualities are John and Jane Taxpayer looking for in a new mayor or councillor?
Depending on your vantage point, I think some people may be surprised by the reality of it all.
With that, I want to present something of an open letter to anyone who may be interested in running for Outlook town council or even going for the title of Head Honcho itself in the seat for Mayor.
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for displaying such a vested interest in the decisions being made behind the scenes in Outlook. You’ve taken that big first step in putting your name out there for consideration amongst your fellow citizens and for that, you are to be commended. Now, should your campaign bear fruit and you indeed find yourself in council chambers after this fall’s election, please allow me to share a few things you can expect during your time as an elected official.
First off, it’s a big commitment when it comes to personal time. Yes, council meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, but it’s more than that. You’ll sit on at least one committee, maybe two, and be required to attend meetings specific to them. There’s the Protective Services committee, as well as Infrastructure, Administration, Recreation, and outside of those, there will also be “special meetings” here and there when something comes up seemingly out of the blue, as well as Committee of the Whole meetings, which bring all of you together to discuss a very specific agenda outside of the standard regular council meeting setting. In short, you’ll be checking your calendar to make sure you’re available.
Secondly, it can be a rather thankless job. I hear all too often at council meetings about one or two officials being stopped in the street or called at home by residents to discuss matters or to outright complain, and it’s hard not to empathize. You have to make friends with the fact that when you’re in a public role, you answer to, well, the public. Just a fact about life in politics, no matter what level.
Let’s talk about what kind of qualities your citizens are looking for in their candidate. Based on many conversations I’ve had over the years, people gravitate towards those who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo; people who look at the way things have always been done and propose alternative solutions. If *this* is the way something’s always been done but you’re only getting *these* results, then why not try something different? There’s a solid argument that the current council is a mixture of those who want to stick by the old formulas and those who present different viewpoints and put forth new ways of getting things done. Who you choose to be, dear candidate, is your decision.
Finally, let’s touch on why you’ve decided to put your name out there to begin with. This is Outlook. It’s an amazing town full of people who come together to create a unique melting pot of humanity. A town that still has untapped potential in more than a few areas. How, when and where we realize that potential are questions that need answers, and the people of this community will look to you for them.
Good luck to you. Being an official for this town is a sizable workload, but as an observer and an analyst of all the goings-on in Outlook both inside and out, I can say that it’s worth it if you’re someone who truly wants the best for this community.
For this week, that’s been the Ruttle Report.
