It’s only fair that you put yourself in the hot seat once in a while, right?
Last week, all 13 candidates who are running in this year’s municipal election in Outlook participated in a questionnaire that resulted in some solid arguments for why these people are worthy of votes, as well as some very interesting views, opinions and commentaries on where the community is or should be headed in the future.
This week, I thought I’d put myself in these candidates’ shoes and turn some of my questions around on myself, taking on the adopted persona of an Outlook resident who has also decided to throw his name into the hat for a seat on town council.
I deserve your vote because…
I’m asking for you to grant me the opportunity to sit in that council chamber and represent you for the next four years because I want Outlook to thrive and truly tap into its potential. I think there is a way for this town to maintain a balance between its modest, rural roots and the need for growth in order to prosper.
Do you believe Outlook stands out from other communities of similar size? If so, how? If not, how can Outlook stand out?
Well, the thing is that Outlook both does and doesn’t stand out. I know that’s a frustrating answer, but it’s also the truth. Outlook’s location sure can’t be beat for a town of its size, being right beside the South Saskatchewan River. We’re also a leader in irrigation, which is why we emphasize it in our slogan. But to be honest, Outlook is struggling to stand out, particularly in its business corridor. We have far too many empty buildings, and I see no reason why they shouldn’t be filled with operating businesses. The key is answering the question of, ‘What are we missing?’ and fulfill that desire and/or need.
With its title of being the ‘Irrigation Capital of Saskatchewan’, Outlook has a unique opportunity to benefit from the announcement this past July of a massive irrigation expansion project centered around Lake Diefenbaker that the government says will more than double the irrigable land in the province. How can Outlook become a central hub for this project and reap the rewards such as new jobs and increased tourism?
Stronger relationships with surrounding RM’s and communities are going to be key when this irrigation project starts to trickle into this area. There are relationships right now that are more than a little contentious, and if there is such an air of toxicity, that’s something in which Big Business doesn’t want to get involved. Outlook also isn’t going to reap any rewards without getting itself known to the world, so a deeper effort into promoting what we have and promoting where we are is also going to be essential.
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen many people flock to online shopping (ex. Amazon) and supporting the ‘Big Box’ stores while small businesses and tourism have suffered in towns much like Outlook. Is there a role for town council to help put small businesses back on the map and promote what we have in our own backyard?
The topic of supporting small businesses means a great deal to me because not only have I seen far too many wonderful businesses go under because of a lack of said support, but I’m a long-time figurehead at one of Outlook’s ‘legacy’ businesses that could use more of that support. We need to be more ‘vocal about local’ and I believe council plays a strong role in supporting the storefronts and home-based businesses that make up Outlook’s economy. Sure, this town’s relatively close proximity to Saskatoon is convenient, but I see no sense in promoting big box stores because it just means that much-needed local dollars have gone bye-bye to big city coffers. Going forward, town council needs to be open to new opportunities and provide resources for businesses of all types in order for everyone in Outlook to hopefully grow and succeed.
What are some of the key issues that you believe need to be addressed in Outlook right now?
Residential property expansion is sorely needed right now. Young families are looking for the kind of amenities, groups and services that Outlook offers, so we need lots for them to build their homes on!
Government transparency on large projects has to be improved. The biggest problem that a sizable number of people had with the Town’s new fire hall project was that it seemed to be decided on and pushed forward with next to no input from ratepayers. As well, the mindset from some on council that those who had questions about the project size or cost were “against it and against the Town’s prosperity” was grossly misguided. No, I don’t believe that every little decision needs to be run by the taxpayers because you’re elected to represent their best interests after all, but I do believe that seven-figure projects of this size and scope certainly need to cover more bases.
Filling vacancies in our downtown business district is something I really want to see. Why is there a medical clinic building that has sat empty for years right by our most used intersection? Or a recently renovated storefront next to Outlook Printers that wound up going unused for a cannabis outlet? Doing what we can bring vitality to Downtown Outlook is going to be key for prosperity.
So then, do I have your “fake vote” on November 9?
For this week, that’s been the Ruttle Report.
