Let the campaigning begin. Chad Blenkin, Yorkton's NDP candidate for the upcoming provincial election, officially opened his campaign office doors last week in the city and he says he's ready for the long haul.
A resident of Yorkton for the past year, Blenkin and his wife Mary-Anne, along with their five-year old son, are expecting in early 2012 and he says this is home. It's where his wife's family resides and where they plan to stay and raise a family.
Leading up to his latest career mind set, Blenkin says he was a management consultant and because of that, he will have what it takes to manage this region and see that it prospers into the future.
"For ten years before that I was the head of marketing and communications for SIAST. Before that, I owned my own advertising agency..."
Today his focus is on winning the election.
"We're essentially in full campaign mode now. I've been out knocking on doors for the last three months... meeting people, getting ideas... I'm not out there trying to sway the vote, I'm out there to hear what people have to say."
And the reception has been very positive he says, noting the fact about 150 people turned out for his office grand opening.
The feedback he's received thus far centers around one theme and it's a concern that needs addressing he says.
"The number one concern we've been hearing, right across the province is affordability and that ranges from housing, to affordability for families, for seniors... What we're hearing consistently, is that the cost of living is outpacing everybody's income."
It's not just affecting low income earners either says Blenkin, rising costs are taking a toll on families also.
"Housing, food and gas costs are going up by at least 10 per cent a year and wages are only going up one per cent. It doesn't take long, let's say over a four or five year period that your wage is pretty much cut in half... that's what we're seeing."
Locally, he adds, the flooding compounded the problem.
"I've literally visited one person who is living in a trailer in the back of someone's yard. He has no water, no power, no heat and he's a local small business owner. This is how we really start to know there's an impact and we need to address this.
"When we talk about affordable housing sometimes it's stigmatized... with just low income but this is starting to hit even families..."
It's also taking a toll on students says Blenkin and the parents who are trying to ensure their children receive the best education.
"It's all about making things more affordable. It all comes back to that."
Blenkin believes the NDP party has what it takes to get things right.
"The reason why I chose to run for the NDP is actually two prong... number one is prudent fiscal management. I'm an entrepreneur so a lot of people would have expected me to run for the Sask. Party but the NDP has success in resolving these issues. These issues are the same that we had in the 70s and the early 80s..."
And the NDP saw the province through he says.
"We also have a very vibrant, well educated, and experienced group of new, young candidates. At our last caucus meeting there were more than 20 of us who are in the under 40 age group... some of these are existing MLAs. This gives me a lot of inspiration."
Taking a look at the NDP Party history also inspires him he says.
"They're about caring for the people and helping the people get along. But most important is prudent fiscal management. If you have that you can solve the other problems. My concern is that we just had record revenues and yet we're taking money from the 'Rainy Day Fund' to balance the budget. That creates a problem in itself."
Personally, Blenkin says he has what it takes to move both Yorkton and this region forward. He says with his business management background he has the skills needed to grow this part of the province.
"I spent three years with Enterprise Saskatchewan on the Entrepreneurship Council developing plans for businesses across the province... and I think a strong skill set I can bring to the table is looking at strategic planning and taking that consultant approach.
"I like to say in my consulting world I bring my ignorance to the table... not necessarily knowing everything, or the solutions to everything. What I mean by that is sometimes you don't have all the solutions, but it's about going out and asking the right questions, meeting with people and finding the solutions..."
Blenkin says he's been using his strengths already in caucus. "I have been and can, get the message out about Yorkton. That's one thing that Clay Serby did very well and it needs to carry on. We need to spread the message. This is the third largest region in the province and that needs to be understood... not just for this city, but for the whole region."
Blenkins office is located at 209 Broadway St W. Hours will be posted on the door and people are welcome to stop by. He can also be reached by calling 782-NDP1 (6371) or emailing: [email protected].
Saskatchewan residents will head to the polls on Monday, November 7.
