WEYBURN - Weyburn city councillor Larry Heggs will be putting his name forward to run for city council in the fall municipal election.
He first came on to council after winning the byelection held after the passing of Coun. Dick Michel, and he said he’s very much enjoyed his time at the council table.
Heggs served for almost two decades with the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce, both as a director and as the manager, and he feels he had a good handle on many of the issues facing the city. He acknowledged it’s different being on the council side of the table, but he’s learned a lot in the time he’s served so far.
He is a member of the Weyburn Airport board and the employee relations committee, both boards that Michel served on, and feels there are roles he can play if he is re-elected to council.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done, and I’d be keen to continue with that,” said Heggs. “Infrastructure is a big one, we need a lot of work to be done there. Economic development is a huge passion of mine, trying to build the economy and build up the tax base, both residential and commercial and business.”
In regard to economic development, Heggs said, “It isn’t always about starting new businesses, it’s also helping businesses to expand and grow. If each and every business we have hired one and a half positions, that would be the largest boom this city has ever seen. It’s about that.”
The bottom line for him is, “what matters to me is what matters to the community. When you have accessibility to people who have concerns, you can ask questions to administration.”
Heggs also feels that a community that has amenities like great schools, the Spark Centre and the coming theatre, this all helps to attract people who want to move to Weyburn, and this can expand current jobs or help create new jobs.
“With our new hospital coming, we’ve got an opportunity to build and expand more,” he added.
When residents talk with him about their concerns, they range from taxes to roads and everything in between, and Heggs said this is something that is also important to him.
“One of the things I enjoy is being able to explain in these conversations with people about why we do what we do. That part is very important to me,” he said. “Different things are important to different people, and that’s what it’s all about.”
He added that it’s important not to discount anyone’s concerns, and treat all concerns as important ones for the city to hear.
“I do think it’s an honour and a privilege to have been on council, and the dedication and work that needs to be done by council – I’m certainly up for that. I want what’s best for the community,” said Heggs. “I love this place.”
