Chris Istace knows this much: after an enjoyable first term on city council, he would like to stick around for a second term. He's just not sure where exactly he wants to sit.
Istace said he has yet to decide whether he will take a run at the mayor's chair or run for re-election to council. In an interview Monday, Istace admitted he is very interested in replacing Mayor Gary St. Onge who will not be seeking re-election. However, a couple of factors are weighing on his decision.
First and foremost is the element of time. A local business owner who also manages an oilfield company and has a young family, Istace is unsure if he would have the time to fully commit to the job.
"I want to run for mayor, I really want to," he said. "I've had a lot of people ask me and they like where I am at with my vision and my thoughts and my attitudes towards things.
"But I am a lot younger than the other councillors and I don't have the free time with activities with my kids and other groups and managing an oilfield company."
Istace said if he doesn't feel he can fully commit to the mayor's position he will not run. To that end, he has spoken with St. Onge to get an idea of how big a commitment the mayor's job is and is closer to deciding.
"Do I want to run for mayor? Absolutely. I am 98 per cent sure of saying if I am there or not. At the very least I want to run for council. I want to be part of the city no matter what."
Istace has until the end of September to decide on what direction he plans to take but added if he does run for mayor, he will need to decide soon with fellow councillor Roy Ludwig already announcing his desire to be Estevan's next mayor.
"If I am going to run against somebody and be successful about it, I don't want to let them have too much ground and have momentum before I get into it," he said. "If I am going to do it, I want to have the right campaign for it."
Speaking of Ludwig, Istace noted that was the other factor in his decision. He has enjoyed working with Ludwig on council and would like to continue that partnership. At the same time, Istace also has his own ideas on what a mayor can do for Estevan and what he can personally bring to the position.
"I find the role of mayor is to be that positive (person) that gives enthusiasm and energy to the city and runs with it," he said. "The City of Estevan has been the way it has been for a long time and I have seen changes start finally in culture, belief and just attitudes. We need to grow that and keep that momentum going. I am a lot younger than anybody else that has ever been mayor and that comes with a new way of looking at things."
