Mayoral candidate John Kot is tired of the status quo and wants to see progress happen faster on projects, while he also wants to see city council work better together.
“Over the years, it seems like it’s the same-old, same-old. Everything’s just run the same. Nothin’ ever really changes … ,” he said. “I’m just tired of sitting around with friends (and saying), ‘The city should do this or should do that.’
“I’m going to step up to the plate and see what kind of changes I can do for the citizens of Moose Jaw.”
Possible priorities
Moose Jaw’s poor streets bother Kot — “We have the worst roads in Saskatchewan, bar none. Nobody can argue that,” he said — while he is particularly tired of the “roly-poly” dips and dives of streets. He believes that city hall fails to repair the deteriorated roads and repaves roads that are only a few years old.
He is also concerned with how dirty and unkempt the community looks, the poor shape of street signs, and the fact city hall is always painting street lines. He would like to see the walking paths paved, the dog park expanded, and a better road sealing program to prevent potholes.
These are issues that, if elected on Nov. 9, he would like to help address.
The other problem that concerns Kot is how city council bickers constantly. He believes someone — the mayor, perhaps — needs to shut that down while focusing council’s attention on the community and residents.
Kot was born and raised on South Hill and, after graduating from high school, worked at Safeway for 21 years. Since then, he has owned and operated A-1 Tree Service for 30 years.
No development in Wakamow
The proposed subdivision development in Wakamow Valley has raised many questions for Kot, including how property that wasn’t even for sale could be developed without anyone knowing. He also pointed out that residents have been told for years that they can’t build in that area.
His main position is that there should be no development there. If elected, he would speak with the developer and attempt to find another solution.
“It just shouldn’t happen. The park is beautiful,” he said. “We should keep our Wakamow Valley pristine.”
Leading by example
Kot’s main strength is his leadership ability, which he would use to unite city council and ensure councillors come to meetings prepared. He doesn’t want to see councillors show up and not have an informed opinion.
“I’ve watched council meetings on TV. I am amazed (and) flabbergasted how they can behave between each other and not get anything solved,” he said, noting it seems that council tables many issues until future meetings — an action with which he disagrees.
If elected, Kot would also attempt to make the city manager more accountable and prepared to answer council’s questions knowledgeably instead of pleading ignorance.
Supporting health and wellness
Residents should vote for Kot because he is a businessman who believes the municipality should be run efficiently and cost-effectively, he said. It should also run “like a well-oiled machine,” from the parks and recreation department to engineering, to the police service, to the fire department.
Another area Kot is passionate about is the health and well-being of residents. He would attempt to tackle the mental health and drug addiction issues plaguing the community, while he would encourage the police and others to speak to students about what happens when they use crack cocaine, opioids, or crystal meth.
Kot believes Moose Jaw could be a solar energy leader if solar panels were installed around the city. He would encourage the province to provide better rebates for homeowners who purchase panels, while Moose Jaw itself could even issue rebates for solar energy.
“Green is in. Everyone wants to save the Earth and the environment,” he said, adding the potential is there to attract a major solar panel manufacturer.
Tourism and history
Having lived in Moose Jaw for 61 years, Kot admitted he never knew that Mac the Moose was the tallest in the world until the Moose War. He also thinks that most people who drive Highway 1 don’t know that fact, either. So, he would like to see the community’s tourism industry promoted more heavily, including advertising more on the highway.
“I believe the history of Moose Jaw is intriguing to a lot of people,” he continued, including the Tunnels of Moose Jaw and the many heritage buildings that should all have historical plaques. This, Kot believes, would keep people downtown longer and encourage them to support the business community and retailers.
Kot is one of three people running to be mayor, including newcomer Nancy Nash and incumbent Fraser Tolmie.
