WEYBURN - Weyburn businessman and volunteer Todd Bedore will be putting his name on the ballot for city council in November, in his first attempt at a political seat.
“It’s been something I’ve been building up to. I’m born and raised in Weyburn, and I’ve always been a community-focused guy,” he said, noting he has experience aschair of TeleMiracle 40 and the provincial Kinsmen Foundation, as well as currently a member of the Young Fellows Club of Weyburn.
Bedore said he brings a “very well-rounded” background as a council candidate, as in addition to his volunteer experience, he’s worked for the City of Weyburn, for oil and gas companies, for a manufacturing company and is a businessman.
“My biggest strength is leadership,” he added, noting his leadership roles as the provincial chair of the Kinsmen Foundation and for TeleMiracle 40, in addition to being a businessman.
His belief is that a leader sets the path, then gets out of the way as people follow that pathway, whether it’s in a service club or other organization.
Bedore quoted radio host John Gormley in saying that for a leader, it’s “nose in,fingers out,” and “you provide that leadership to empower them, but also you have accountability. You also are being a leader outside of the city, as you have to be an advocate for the city at the provincial level, work with the RM of Weyburn, and also at the federal level, as you have to be the voice for the city.”
Asked what issues or concerns he has in running for council, he said, “I’m keeping a pretty open mind right now. There are obviously needs as we’re in a bit of an infrastructure deficit right now, like most municipalities, and we’re looking at how to manage that in the most efficient and effective way, and how do we communicate that to citizens, what the plan is.”
As a council, if he is elected to that position, they are entrusted with the taxpayers dollars, and with making decisions on how that money is to be used in the most efficient way.“The reality is, there’s always going to be inflation expenses. The biggest thing is the city is in the customer service business, and they need to be a good steward of tax dollars,” said Bedore.
In addition, a councillor has to remember they are a public servant, he said, as there will be tough decisions and easy ones, with the bottom line being the best interests of the community.“You have to respect the process,” said Bedore. “Hopefully people will come out to vote on Nov. 13.”
