Predicting a large turnover during this fall’s municipal elections, east hill resident Mark Tweidt wants to be part of a progressive new city council.
“What I’d like to see is a mayor that is ready to sit down with councillors and everybody put in their stuff, involve the community, and make stuff that works for everybody,” he said.
“I’ve got some ideas for revitalization. There are some areas that I’d like to bring to council and see what we can do.”
On Wednesday, Tweidt announced his candidacy for city councillor in Ward 7 — a ward he’s lived in for the past 14 years.
Ward 7 makes up the westernmost section of the east hill area of town, stretching from the hill southward, between Central Avenue and Sixth Avenue West. Coun. L. Darren Whitehead currently serves the ward.
Spending his early childhood in Wadena, Tweidt’s family moved to Prince Albert when he was 12. He’s stayed here ever since, living as a “proud west flatter” and most recently an east hill resident.
“I’m a very, very proud Prince Albert resident,” Tweidt said.
In the past, Tweidt has served as a trustee and later vice chair of the Saskatchewan Rivers School Board, as well as in a church board.
He took the last two years off of serving on boards to start up his business, Integrity Inspections — a home inspections and contracting service.
Now that his business is well established, he’s keen on re-entering the political atmosphere.
What I’d like to see is a mayor that is ready to sit down with councillors and everybody put in their stuff, involve the community, and make stuff that works for everybody. - Ward 7 candidate Mark Tweidt
“I’d like to get back into the service area where I can serve and help in whatever capacity I can help,” he said.
Having fixed up eight houses in the east hill area of the city that were in disrepair and bettering the neighbourhood as a result, he said that more improvements are necessary.
Tweidt backs up such general thoughts with a clear vision of what needs to be done. The key, he said, is public consultation.
“I’d like to incorporate a board where we have maybe eight to 10 people — maybe a contractor, a real estate guy — where we can draw ideas from the people who are out doing the every day stuff,” he said.
“They have a lot of input and they don‘t have a lot of opportunity to say it.”
Regardless of who gets into council chambers during October’s municipal election, Tweidt said that he hopes to see less fighting and more listening.
“I’m not into power struggles at all,” he said. “People are frustrated. People are feeling there are a lot of things we can do.”
The city’s civic and school board elections will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 24. The officinal nomination period will take place from Sept. 4 - 19.
So far, three people have announced their candidacy, including: Rick Orr for Ward 2; Greg Dionne for mayor and Dean Link for mayor.
