Kim Robinson might be a first-term city councillor, but that isn’t stopping him from running for mayor and encouraging residents to join his “invest in Moose Jaw” movement.
“I think a lot of people seek an office like this thinking (that) through management skills and maybe some business acumen, they can do a great job. And while I have those, just my short time (almost one year) on council has made me realize that the very best mayor is a communicator and a leader,” he said.
“I think my strengths in that area make me the best candidate … .”
Robinson is one of 9 people seeking to become mayor of Moose Jaw. The mayoral byelection is on Wednesday, Nov. 3.
Robinson decided early on to run for mayor when few people had officially announced their intentions, he explained. He wrestled with the decision for a while since he knew that, if he won, he would have to quit his job as an accountant at the Co-op ethanol plant outside of Moose Jaw.
“But in the end, I think that I’m the best person for the job, so I wanted to give our Moose Jaw residents that option,” he said.
Robinson noted that he has always been vocal ever since he was young. As a result, people looked to him to “lead the pack” if there was an issue and pushed him to the front.
One of Robinson’s priorities, if elected, would be to invest in Moose Jaw. The community has many assets, he said, including $111 million in investments portfolios. Instead of sinking this money into off-shore accounts with RBC Dominion Securities, he thought the municipality could do better with investing locally.
“The trolley is in terrible shape,” he said by way of example.
Thousands of tourists use the vehicle every year, but Tourism Moose Jaw is responsible for raising funds to fix it, he continued. Instead, council could give the organization a low-interest loan or grant from the “rainy day fund.”
Further, council could use some investments to support small businesses instead of pursuing larger retailers or manufacturers. Again, this funding could come as a low-interest loan or grant to help smaller businesses recover from the pandemic.
So, would this approach create winners and losers in the business community?
“Ideally, we’d be making all winners,” said Robinson. “Keep in mind, this money that’s set aside is all taxpayers’ money. The city doesn’t have their own money, so I think we’re giving back to the community in that way.
“We’ve all seen what leaving infrastructure and businesses to die on the vine can do, so it’s time to stop that.”
Robinson wouldn’t pull all $111 million from the portfolios but would continue to use the interest as is happening now. While rules and bylaws govern this funding, he would attempt to change them so the money could be better spent.
Some infrastructure projects Robinson would continue to support include the cast iron water main program, roads, the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant upgrades, and the “big item” of the Thunderbird (Fourth Avenue) Viaduct rehabilitation, expected to cost roughly $16 million.
Another issue Robinson would tackle is the increase in crime, specifically, dealing with the addiction and poverty fueling the rise in illegal activities. He believes everyone needs to take responsibility for this social problem.
When asked if he would push council to hold more business in public instead of behind closed doors — in-camera — Robinson replied, “Certainly.” He noted that he and Acting Mayor Dawn Luhning raised this concern during a recent executive committee meeting.
“I would try to be more open,” he said.
Being a good listener, compassionate, and fighting for the underdog are three qualities Robinson says he possesses, which is why he would be “the right person to be the voice of Moose Jaw residents.”
