Terry Schneider is running for Yorkton Council.
Citing 30-years of municipal administration experience, including time with the City of Yorkton as Bylaw and Safety Supervisor, Schneider said he wants to see the city do well.
鈥淚 just want to see Yorkton grow and be economically viable,鈥� he said in a telephone interview Monday.
To do that Schneider sets forth some very specific goals in terms of the City, starting with reducing the cost of both commercial and residential lots in the city. He pointed to the residential development on the city鈥檚 northeast corner noting only four homes built on 70 lots. And at $65,000 a lot Schneider said he understands why they sit empty.
On his website platform Schneider said reducing lot prices would:
路 Be a catalyst and driver for economic growth, through construction jobs and sales of materials
路 Increase the property tax base
With increased economic activity Schneider said he also wants to see the city grow in terms of population growth, suggesting reduced lot prices could make a five per cent population spurt possible, which would have a ripple effect in the community.
鈥淭his would mean increased school enrollment,鈥� he said, adding the more families in the city, the more local economy they generate as well.
Schneider said it鈥檚 also time the City think 鈥渙utside the box鈥� more. He cited land owned by the city south of Queen Street and said it could become the spot of wind turbines or solar panels generating renewable electricity to reduce the cost to the city.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an expensive venture,鈥� he said, but added such efforts are being looked at by both the provincial and federal governments for funding so why wouldn鈥檛 Yorkton have a 鈥渞eady plan鈥� should funds from the higher levels of government come available?
While energy self-sufficiency is a big picture goal, Schneider said he聽 has also looked around the city at the details within the community at how to save some dollars, suggesting in the winter bi-weekly waste pick up service (November to March).
And there are details Schneider said need addressed.
For example large stones on west side of Dracup need removed and a sidewalk installed to serve the public and businesses.
In the shorter term, with the effects of COVID-19 Schneider said he does see 2021 as being a year when the City must work to have no increases in municipal property taxes.
Schneider has lived in Yorkton the past 3.5 years. He and his wide Sonia have three adult children.
