We have far too many talented people in Estevan to have them just sitting around or loping along at half speed these days thanks to the economic downturn.
So here’s my pitch for when I get elected Mayor of Energy City. Any other candidate is free to borrow all or part of this platform, to try to defeat me, just remember where the brilliance erupted in the first place because my moments of lucidity are few and far between.
We need to launch an all-out assault on regional head offices, because quite frankly, they are located elsewhere and thereby defying common sense. They are where they are right now only through political interference and questionable lobbying tactics. So I have decided that we here in the Energy City could engage in a few unfair tactics ourselves to regain what is properly and logistically ours.
Of what do I speak?
OK, here goes.
We need to relocate the South East Cornerstone Public School Division’s headquarters here along with the Sun Country Regional Health Authority offices. We also need to affix some common sense into the other powers that be and re-establish the regional library system as well as the Southeast Regional College, right here in Energy City. And while we’re at this relocation game, why are the southern Saskatchewan water systems and agricultural field generals located in Moose Jaw and Weyburn respectively?
Has anyone in the provincial government looked at a map lately? Rafferty, Alameda, Boundary Dams and reservoirs are not that close to Moose Jaw. They are relatively close to Estevan.
I know, I know, the bureaucrats who run that domed place in Regina don’t like driving two hours to Estevan to tend to their flocks. They prefer the shorter runs of less than an hour to MJ and Weyburn, thus one compelling argument in favour of those two villages. But laziness should not be allowed as an argument, should it? Geographic common sense and logic should prevail. We just have to remember though, we’re talking about appointed bureaucrats.
But because we’re talking about bureaucrats, why can’t we finally unleash all these clever people in Estevan and get them working on these files? It would be child’s play against an unarmed enemy. We need to regain that which is properly ours.
And if you don’t believe me, check the historical files.
In the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and early 2000s, independent studies and committees recommended that Estevan be home for all of the above agencies that ultimately ended up elsewhere, thanks to backroom wheeling and dealing and more than a little skullduggery I would suppose.
In other words, we got out-lobbied and I don’t think we should take a back seat when it comes to skullduggery. I believe Estevanites can skulldug with the best of ‘em if we’d just unleash the talent. And as mayor, I will provide cash incentives for every regional head office that is returned to its rightful location … somewhere in the legal boundaries of the City of Estevan or the RM of Estevan.
Do you know how much money is wrapped up in salaries alone for all those people who are forced to ply their administrative trades in Weyburn and Moose Jaw?
It’s in the tens of millions of dollars, and that doesn’t include the residual benefits such as housing, schools and, yes, business boosts.
OK now all of you 13 readers of this column, keep this plan quiet for now. I’m not mayor yet. Don’t worry, nobody from Weyburn reads this column, our secret is safe for now.
