After this fall's municipal election Yorkton will have a new mayor. Current Mayor James Wilson has announced his intention to run for city council rather than seeking re-election as mayor, citing new responsibilities with his job at SaskTel as the reason for the change.
While being the mayor is a demanding role, Wilson says it's also one which he was able to handle with his previous position in SaskTel. However, with the new position, which will require a lot of travel and time away from the city, Wilson says he had to consider what was best for the people of Yorkton.
"Moving into a new role with SaskTel with new responsibilities, I felt a true onus of a commitment to the people of Yorkton to carry on the role of mayor would be difficult, and would not be fair to them," he said late last week from the steps of city hall.
The decision was made more difficult due to the accomplishments of the city in the past three years. He says the term has been a good one, with the city seeing a great deal of growth and prosperity, as well as working through a natural disaster to come out stronger and better able to handle future problems.
A major part of the success of that term, Wilson says, was due to the strength of city council, and he says that he hopes someone puts their hat in the ring for the mayoral race. Four of the six members were in attendance at the announcement, with two missing due to work commitments.
"This council is a fantastic council, people talk about how in history this is one of the best councils the city has ever seen, and it's witnessed throughout our community. I think there will be some interest there from long-term councillors who have not been mayor... I trust in due time that one will come forward," Wilson says.
The management of the city was also singled out for praise by Wilson, and he says they were a major part of the city's success.
"City Manager Dave Putz along with all of his department heads and the management are recognized throughout this province as being the one of the best at leading our community. And I must add that the commitment and conscientiousness of all their staff, who do a wonderful job of making Yorkton a great place, certainly made my job a lot easier," Wilson says.
While there has been talk of Wilson taking aim at a federal or provincial seat, he says it is too early to make those decisions, and right now he's focused on the municipal election and moving into his new role. Wilson also says that whether he is the mayor or not, he is committed to the city, and wants to be involved as much as he can be.
He would like to thank the people of Yorkton both for their support over the past three years, and for making the city the great place it is today and continues to be.
