Gordon Barnhart of Saltcoats is the newest president of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA).
When delegates at this year’s convention met in Saskatoon this week one of the first orders of business was to elect a new president.
The position was open following Debra Button’s defeat in municipal elections in Weyburn last October.
Button’s loss left Yorkton Councillor Randy Goulden as interim president until this Monday when elections were held.
Two names were on the ballot; Councillor Darren Hill, City of Saskatoon and Councillor Gordon Barnhart, Town of Saltcoats.
Barnhart is a newcomer to municipal politics, only being elected to Saltcoats Council in a by-election in December after a full slate of candidates did not materialize in October. He is however not a newcomer to the environs of politics having been the 20th Lieutenant-Governor of Saskatchewan from 2006 until 2012. He was also the acting President of the University of Saskatchewan from May 21, 2014 until October 24, 2015.
Barnhart said in his role of Lieutenant-Governor he was certainly aware of the workings of government.
But, as he gained knowledge of the system, he never followed a particular party.
“I’ve always been nonpartisan. I’ve never been a member of any party,” he said Thursday prior to the SUMA election. It was his nonpartisan position he said he felt would be a huge asset in a role as president of SUMA.
“I can go in and see the Premier or a minister without any political baggage.”
Barnhart said those in political circles also know him well.
“They know I’m a straight shooter … Let’s get to the issues,” he said, adding he wants to talk through things to find solutions.”
Barnhart said locally “I was approached,” to run last October, but decided not to, however when four vacancies were left after the election he decided to stand up and take the plunge after the lack of candidates made the news.
“I like my town to be in the news for good reasons,” he offered, adding he wanted to help his hometown.
And Barnhart said he was aware there were issues, in particular infrastructure needs.
The same issue is not unique to Saltcoats being a concern to communities of all sizes across the province. So it is not a surprise he sees the demands of infrastructure renewal as a key one for SUMA.
Barnhart said simply put water and sewer and other infrastructure from hockey arenas to asphalt is getting old and “starting to show wear” or has simply “gone beyond its life expectancy.”
And, once on Saltcoats Council he immediately looked at what role he might take with the provincial body.
“When I was elected to Council then I wanted to get involved with Council,” he offered, adding he has always been apt “to jump in with both feet. That’s how I’m wired I guess.”
Initially, Barnhart thought of running for vice-president of towns, but that was held by Mayor Rodger Hayward, Town of Naicam, adding from what he could tell Hayward was doing a good job in the role, “so why would I run.”
But the presidency was vacant.
“I thought I’d give that a try,” adding by running there would be a vote, and that is always a good process for an organization.
Heading into the convention Barnhart said he was busy getting his name out among delegates.
“I’ve been burning up the telephone wires. I’ve spoken to quite a few people,” he said, adding they were two-way conversations with him listening to their issues as much as talking about his own reasons for seeking election.
The telephone work was obviously effective, and Barnhart now embarks on a four-year term as SUMA head.
In a platform document on the SUMA website Barnhart suggested he will work to develop policies based on current realities.
“I could make all sorts of promises on what I will be able to deliver from government but I can’t and won’t. We are entering an interesting era of tight financial times for all levels of government. We have to show government that our services are essential and that we are good stewards of public funds. We can show that we are achieving economies when our communities work cooperatively. I will promise you, that I will listen to you and work hard to make our communities and our province an even better place to live,” he wrote.
