Candidate for city council Robin Wog

ESTEVAN - Robin Wog is looking to bring his business knowledge to Estevan city council.

Wog said he thought about running for councillor in 2020, but he had just moved back to the community and he had quite a bit on his plate, so he thought it wasn't the right time to add an extra responsibility.

He now wishes he ran last time.  

"I definitely decided it was time to do it, just because I'm not going to sit on the sideline and watch everything unfold in more of a negative way," said Wog. "I see things differently than the way this past council, mayor and administration has run it."

Wog said his focus is on the budget, and he doesn't want to see the taxpayers on the hook for a lot of expensive projects. He understands that the water tower refurbishment, road repairs and the downtown revitalization might be covered under federal or provincial grants, but he still wants to see the best use for taxpayer dollars.

"I want to make sure the public's involved in any … major decisions being made on larger-scale projects that aren't absolutely necessary, outside of aging infrastructure like curbs, sidewalks, sewer and water, storm sewers and that sort of thing, those are things that have to be looked after on a regular basis."

It might mean having a plebiscite, referendum or something similar so that more than seven voices are heard.

Wog's family moved to Estevan when he was seven years old. He grew up here, got married and raised a family in the city. He moved to Alberta for a couple of decades, but later returned home.  

"When I did move back, I just thought if I'm moving back home, I want to be a bit of a contributor to this town and its future," he said.

This is the first time that Wog has sought public office, and he said he is the furthest thing from a politician. He has been part of some boards in the past, which he said would be beneficial if he were to be elected. He understands fiscal bottom lines and the bidding process.

"It … can be a little bit of direction to the rest of the council that maybe doesn't have any hands-on experience with that sort of thing, to understand what's involved in the bid process," said Wog.