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With an election looming, along with a continuously growing city 2020 is shaping up to be a busy year for Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark.
On Tuesday, we took a look back at 2019 through the eyes of Clark in a year-end interview.
We also took a look ahead at the Nov. 9, 2020 municipal elections.
Clark explained that 2020 is going to be “a balancing act.”
Clark was hesitant to make any firm decisions on whether he will run for re-election in the upcoming election. Clark said he still needs to sit down with his family and discuss the affects on him and his family.
“At the appropriate time, I will make an announcement about a decision for next election, but I’m not getting into that mode right now,” he told 650 CKOM. “My intention is to do the best job I can as mayor, and then as the election unfolds, that will be the next step to do, and do it with as much integrity as I can.”
Clark said his duties as mayor will continue right up until September and that he still has campaign promises he wants to deliver on before the end of his term.
2020 municipal elections: Who’s in, who hasn’t decided yet
650 CKOM also contacted all ten city councillors for their status on the upcoming election.
Nine responded, with six saying they would be running come November.
Coun. Ann Iwanchuk, Troy Davies, Randy Donauer, Cynthia Block, Mairin Loewen, and Bev Dubois confirmed they’re looking to seek re-election.
Coun. Hilary Gough and Sarina Gersher say they will likely seek re-election.
Coun. Zach Jefferies said he hasn’t made a decision yet.
Jeffries said he’s still “very energized to be serving the residents” of Ward 10.
“I will make a decision with my family and campaign team in the new year,” he said in an emailed statement.
Ward 1 councillor Darren Hill has not yet responded to 650 CKOM’s request.
What else to expect in 2020
As Clark stated, his council will have a meeting “right up into September where I need to be the mayor.”
So, what should Saskatoon residents be looking for ahead of the campaign period?
Clark said work on the city’s downtown, creating conditions for the next sectors of Saskatoon’s economy, and tackling the addictions crisis is top of mind.
“To be successful as a city in (2020), we’re going to have to work hard to create the conditions for the job opportunities and the business opportunities and the continued success of our city by putting all of the pieces together,” he said.
“(They) are all tied to keeping up with the change that’s happening out there, and creating more certainty about how we create a community where there will be shared prosperity.”
When looking at building Saskatoon’s downtown, they’re looking at finding the best opportunity for an entertainment district, which will also include the future downtown arena.
“The main thing is to come up with a location for the arena. The reason that’s important is once there’s clarity on where the best location is for not just an arena, but a downtown entertainment district that’s tied to the future of the downtown convention facility as well,” he said.
“The way this has worked the best in other cities, is part of the way you actually can help pay for it is to utilize the potential of investment and development around that site … through leveraging some of the investment that can happen in that area.”
Clark said it’s going to be a long process, and he wants residents to also know that factor.
“It’s important to plan ahead, and plan intelligently.”
