MOOSE JAW — Resident Carolyn Ross has announced that she is running in the Nov. 13 municipal election to be a city councillor. Presented below are Ross’ answers to questions from the Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com. Some answers have been edited for length.
Why are you running/what prompted you to run?
I am running for city council to provide leadership that genuinely represents our community. I aim to be a voice for the citizens, ensuring that our community thrives both socially and economically. Together, we can build a safe and growing community for all.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
- Economic Development
- I would advocate for city administration to develop business-friendly policies, streamline permit processes, reduce taxes for new businesses, and enhance collaboration with regulatory agencies and post-secondary institutions.
- Community collaboration
- I believe it is essential to create a community where every voice matters and where individuals feel valued and heard.
- Infrastructure maintenance
- We must plan for the repair and upgrade of our infrastructure, with a forward-looking approach that prepares us for the future.
What would be your top area(s) of focus?
As a candidate running for city council, I believe that the most pressing issue we need to address is rebuilding relationships with our citizens. Many residents have expressed feeling unheard and disconnected from their local government and it’s vital that we prioritize restoring that trust.
To rebuild these relationships, we need to actively engage the community through regular communication and transparent decision-making. By listening to residents' concerns, ideas, and feedback, we can create a more open and trusting relationship with our citizens.
Ultimately, building strong connections within our community will lead to more engaged, informed, and empowered citizens, which is essential for addressing the challenges we face together.
How would you make life more affordable for residents?
This is a challenging question to address without a full understanding of the situation. At the municipal level, I’d like to gain some hands-on experience by closely examining the proposed budget, capital projects, revenues, and other related factors to prepare myself better to respond.
How would you reign in excessive and/or unnecessary spending? Would you consider cutting taxes or reducing projects?
I think it is important to consider budget cuts and carefully evaluate our spending. There have been instances of unnecessary expenses, particularly when we spend just because we are the last community to take action. This preceding reference to the “last community” is a comment made by a city councillor during the April 22, 2024, meeting about the money spent on changing school zone speed limits from 40 to 30 km/h as a reason to spend the money.
Would you approve of using taxpayers’ money to support the Hilton Hotel project and/or a related parkade?
I believe it is important to be transparent and accountable. Any investment would need to align with our community needs and long-term goals. I would definitely support discussions of a business plan that would outline the potential benefits to our residents, such as job creation, increased tourism and enhanced amenities.
How would you address the issues facing the community’s impoverished and homeless residents?
I have a plan that I shared at the public safety meeting on July 29. It involves a five-stream process designed to identify all community needs, connect individuals to appropriate services and establish clear accountabilities for everyone involved. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance our public safety and better serve all our residents.
How would you enhance security or safety in the community?
I believe that there should be consequences for our choices, and I advocate for reinstating the fine options program. It is important for residents to feel empowered to "see something, say something," knowing that our emergency services will respond effectively.
This approach not only promotes accountability but also fosters a stronger sense of community safety and trust.
What steps would you take to increase economic growth or encourage businesses to move here?
First, we need to streamline processes in city hall before actively seeking new development. It has been known to many that our businesses have found it difficult to deal with city hall and this has caused some tension. It is important to restore relationships with our local developers and establish new connections to foster collaboration so we can build a growing community.
Once we fix our processes and build back relationships, we need to increase economic growth and encourage businesses to move to Moose Jaw, I believe it is essential to prioritize support for local businesses while also investing in our infrastructure. We should cultivate a collaborative community where everyone feels safe, valued, and supported.
By working together, we can unlock our potential and create a thriving environment that attracts new businesses and fosters growth for all residents. Together we can create a safe and growing community for all.
How would you address the problems between SAMA and the business community?
To address the issues between SAMA and the business community, I believe the city needs to evaluate the services provided by SAMA. We must ask ourselves whether it’s in the best interest of our citizens for their tax dollars to be spent on defending an appeal — especially when that appeal is initiated by a fellow citizen.
Currently, four communities in Saskatchewan have successfully adopted a governance model to oversee tax assessments within their own jurisdictions. This approach may offer valuable insights for Moose Jaw.
City council cannot overlook the facts and errors that have been brought to our attention. It’s crucial to take these concerns seriously and actively seek solutions. I would advocate for a third-party audit of the system to ensure transparency and accountability.
Would you halt spending money on the agri-food industrial park until an anchor tenant is found?
This is an unfortunate failure, and I would advocate for a halt to this project. We need to reassess our approach and ensure that we are making decisions that truly benefit our community.
What is your long-term vision for the community 10 to 20 years down the road? How would you bring that to fruition?
My long-term vision for our community is that it becomes a place where everyone wants to live. I hope for a reasonable cost of living, a thriving local business community and a safe environment for all residents.
Why are you the best person for this role?
I am passionate about my city and its residents. I am willing to put in the hard work and believe I understand the unique challenges we are facing.
What are your top skills/qualities/attributes?
My background as a safety professional, along with my experience in government and non-profits, has strengthened my commitment to building safe and thriving communities. Additionally, my time serving as mayor of South Lake has provided me with invaluable experience in leading municipal affairs and making decisions that benefit residents.
Why should people vote for you?
I am running for city council to provide leadership that genuinely represents our community. I aim to be a voice for the citizens, ensuring that our community thrives both socially and economically. Additionally, my time serving as mayor of South Lake has provided me with invaluable experience in leading municipal affairs and making decisions that benefit residents, and I have a passion for building a safe and growing community for all.
