Ten Questions With Heather Eby
To help people decipher the Mayor’s race MJ Independent has plans to feature any of the nine candidates at least once in our publication.
Today we feature Heather Eby.
1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself personally?
Have lived in Moose Jaw since 1990. My husband Ebb and I have 2 daughters who are both married and who also live in the friendly city. We have 6 grandchildren. I have been self-employed full time for 28 years. We are a billet family for the Warriors, love spending time at the lake in the summer and enjoy an active life style.
2. Was there one event or series of events which made you decide to run for Mayor? Can you describe them?
It was not my original intention to run for mayor as I believed a few other councillors were considering it. When they changed their minds I felt that it would be good for the community to have some choice on the ballot (at that time there were only 2 candidates who had filed their papers.).
I had considered running in 2012 but a wise mentor had told me at that time I was not ready. I felt that now, 9 years later, my experience made me ready to try.
3. What do you see as the main issues facing Moose Jaw and how would you fix them?
As you know the mayor doesn’t come in and “fix” anything single handedly. Things are only changed by the majority vote of council.
It is my intention to continue building on the good foundation that has been laid with this council – one that has seen us work together to get things accomplished.
The Agri Food Park is an important project and it has the potential to be a strong catalyst for some true economic growth in our city. It is important to me that we secure new industry to that area. The SaskPower project is huge for us and will draw some major interest into that area. The great thing about large industry is that they need small and medium local businesses to make them successful. This will be a win win for our city.
4. During a Council meeting you said any councillor running for mayor should resign so as not to force a second byelection and cost the City another byelection, voter apathy and a Council that is up to six months one member short. Did you as a Councillor resign to run? And if not can you explain the reasoning for the seemingly backtracking of your initial position?
I absolutely did say that and still believe the Cities Act should reflect that.
However, it is not in the Act currently and given the fact that the other two members of council running for mayor choose not to resign I felt that if I had when they had not I may appear to be trying to one-up them.
As well, if one of the current members of council is not elected as mayor we will not need a by-election. But had I resigned that would have had to happen regardless, as a concurrent election for Mayor and Council would not have happened anyway given the terms of the Cities Act.
5. When was the last time you attended a City Council meeting?
Last Tuesday.
6. What is your strong point?
My experience. I have 11 years as a City Councillor and have served with 3 different Mayors. Each has taught me much and I feel that has prepared me for this opportunity. As a brand new councillor in 2009 I had a very strong mentor in Glenn Hagel and his experience, guidance and wisdom really helped me get my feet under me. I am teachable and not afraid to ask questions.
7. Conversely what is your weak point?
I don’t always have thick enough skin for the role of an elected official. There are times when I take too much to heart and that can be difficult to navigate. I’m working on it, but there are days that it’s harder than others.
8. A main issue which Council has to deal with is a sense the City is conducting too much business in-camera or in secret. Some things such as legal, land and personnel must be conducted in private while other matters could be discussed in public.
Do you agree? If so how would you help to increase transparency - where permitted - at Council and Executive Committee meetings?
We are always made aware of what section of the Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act an item falls under when we are asked to go in camera for discussion.
Ever since I got elected council has been accused of secret meetings – a secret meeting is much different than a Confidential/In camera meeting. I have never been a part of a secret or nefarious meeting nor would I ever agree to chair one or sit in on one.
There are times that we question the reasoning behind an in-camera request, we have always been given the legal reasons why something needs to be confidential.
9. Do you have any concerns about the hours or sacrifice necessary to be Mayor? Is the remuneration too little, just right or too much in your opinion?
I realize that being the mayor is not a cut and dried time commitment, and that it will, at times, require odd hours and sacrifice of personal time. But to me that is what will make it interesting!
Every day may be different, meeting with different people and being a part of a variety of interesting opportunities.
As a self-employed person for almost 3 decades I know what it means to work non-regular hours, you do what you need to do to get the job done. Being mayor will be the same, I will gladly do what it takes and spend the time required to accomplish the task at hand.
The remuneration is good – and I truly believe it is the thing that drew so many candidates to the race. I don’t remember ever seeing this many names on the ballot for Mayor before. So maybe that has helped draw more interest to the position, and that’s a good thing.
10. Do you have anything else to add?
As we make our way out of the pandemic I believe we will see a significant economic & social recovery. But in order for us to really take full advantage of that we need to be ready as an organization and a community.
Covid has divided us in so many ways, and I feel I will be the type of leader that will help bring us back together and prepare us for what will be an exciting time of growth and prosperity once we weather this storm.