Mayoral candidate Wayne Watermanuk has big ideas on how he would like to make Moose Jaw better and reduce inefficiencies at city hall.
Watermanuk was prompted to run for mayor after the last municipal election. He was living in the avenues and thought that the city’s policies made driving difficult on those narrow roads, especially in the winter.
“I’m running for mayor to make changes. I have had ideas in the past, (while) there have been things to make the city better and you have to run for mayor in order to change that,” says Watermanuk. “You see study after study on stuff, when you just want to get it done for good.”
If elected Watermanuk would like to see a free parking lot for the hospital, along with improved roads and sidewalks. He has watched the city pave roads and then a month later dig them up again.
Besides addressing cast iron water mains, he also wants to see streets widened in some of the more narrow neighbourhoods. Some areas that he believes are too narrow include near Sask. Polytechnic and around Fifth and Sixth avenues.
“There has to be better ways to deal with this stuff,” Watermanuk said, noting that the dips on High Street and Main Street are embarrassing for a city that likes to attract tourists.
He hopes that the Fourth Avenue bridge can be repaired and continue to be a traffic bridge. As a child, Watermanuk recalled going out for drives with his parents driving over the bridge to get ice cream, which is why he wants to preserve it. He pointed out that it is also an important bridge for people on South Hill.
Watermanuk has noticed that the city has begun to replace street signs. He appreciates that as it is important for Moose Jaw’s tourism industry.
A dream project would be to build a two-storey parkade near the corner of First Avenue Northwest and High Street West. This would benefit people who visit Mosaic Place and keep them safe compared to walking across the street.
Watermanuk would also like to draw more businesses into the city.
“Swift Current is a smaller place then us and they have two SARCAN locations there that I know of,” he said.
He would like to see a second SARCAN but that is a provincial decision. A few people suggested to him to put one on South Hill to address current long wait times at the Manitoba Street location.
Other types of businesses that Watermanuk wants to attract include ones that cater to women and provide more sizes. He knows of one family that drove to Regina to purchase athletic wear for their daughter since there was nothing available here.
“It would be nice to keep our money here in Moose Jaw by opening a store that sells a variety of clothing sizes,” he said.
He would also like to try to work on improving the snow removal.
Meanwhile, he appreciates how Moose Jaw has attractions such as spray parks, the Yara Centre and the walking trails. He would also like to see the former Wild Animal Park reopened. However, he is doubtful that will happen.
Waternmanuk has noticed that crime is increasing in the community and noted that South Hill has been targeted regularly. He believes increasing the police force would help address that. He also supports bringing back Neighbourhood Watch to keep an eye out for crime.
He also thinks that creating more jobs in Moose Jaw would lessen the crime rates, since it would increase more employment opportunities.
Wayne was born Moose Jaw and grew up on South Hill. He feels that his working background at S&S Rad and Welding with his dad for 30 years has played a major factor in getting to know people in the community. His father retired from the business after 40 years.
Watermanuk thinks he would be a good mayor because he has time management skills, is a people person, a good listener and a problem-solver.
“Don’t just make a change because two people want it. Go with what the majority of the people want,” says Watermanuk. “I don’t want to be a mayor that shoots a bunch of promises out that are not being delivered on.”
Wayne has a Facebook group to discuss ideas from citizens for this election. He is also passing out pamphlets around town but not going door to door, being mindful of COVID-19.
