After calling Yorkton his home for the past 26 years Doug Forster has decided it is time to step up and seek election to City Council.
“I am entering this race with one simple plan, that is to listen to the people and be their common-sense voice on city council,” he stated in a release Monday.
Forster said he feels he is ready for a seat in Council based on being involved in other areas of the community in past years.
“For years I have been actively involved with several service clubs, organizations, and community events in Yorkton and I will bring this same dedication to council,” he said.
Forster said Yorkton needs good people at the table to ensure the city’s future.
“Yorkton is a great place to raise a family,” he offered. “We need to ensure proper decisions are being made in regards to our community, facilities and the programs that surround them.
As a small business owner in Yorkton I truly understand and sympathize with the struggles our businesses are facing during these unprecedented times.
“Now more than ever it’s time for council to take into consideration holding the line on tax increases, contracting local, purchasing local and listening to the needs of all of our business sector.
“We need to keep our business at home, they are the lifeblood of our city and need our support.”
Forster said the city also needs to keep infrastructure in mind.
“Aging infrastructure needs to be priority as does finding ways to fill the empty properties around the city, including the large amount of commercial space that sits adjacent to the tourism booth at the south entrance to the city,” he said. “Millions of tax dollars spent to develop it so it could sit empty for years with the street lights on every night. We can’t change past decisions, but together we can improve the future.”
The hospital is also on Forster’s radar.
“There is no better time to start thinking seriously about our hospital it has served Yorkton and area well but it is nearing the end of its life,” he said. “The time is now to start considering a fiscally responsible action plan for the city’s portion of its replacement costs, let’s be prepared when the impending day comes.”
Then Forster circled back to the need to listen.
“These are difficult times for everyone, local government needs to listen and respond to the people that put them into office,” he said. “We need to learn from the wisdom of our seniors, keep moving forward with economic development, and ensure Yorkton is a safe and affordable place to raise a family.”
