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ESTEVAN — Former Estevan city councillor Brian Johnson is campaigning to reclaim a seat on council in the upcoming municipal election.

Johnson, who previously served on council from 2000 to his defeat in 2016, said his decision to run again is driven by a deep connection to his community, a desire to continue contributing to its development and having more time to give.

"I'm fully retired now... and people I've been talking to were asking me to run for the position of city council again. So, I decided to come back as a councillor and see how things go for this election.

"I believe the ratepayers of this fine community demand sound leadership and good governance by their municipal elected officials," he added.

During his previous tenures, Johnson witnessed a period of significant growth for Estevan, particularly during the economic boom driven by the oil industry.

"We had a lot of things going on… Estevan almost reached 12,000 people," he said, recalling the bustling period when the community was actively expanding, leading to new housing developments and projects.

Johnson highlighted the impact of the Boundary Dam Carbon Capture and Storage facility, a project he witnessed developing first-hand through his career at SaskPower.

"It was very rewarding to be on city council during that time, to learn all those things, to understand all those things, and to be involved in all those things," Johnson said, adding there were many other diverse projects completed and started while he was on council.

Johnson was born and raised in Estevan, raised his family here, and worked in various sectors throughout his life. He worked in the oilfield, at power plants and mines.

Looking ahead, Johnson's priorities are focused on responsible budgeting, "helping out the citizens and the businesses that need to be listened to"; "helping out the seniors with their needs and making sure that they could still live in their homes and that their taxes aren't going to go too high and force them out of their homes." He also identified other local concerns, such as job opportunities for young residents, community well-being, safety and cleanliness.

"All those things are important," he said, emphasizing the need for well-maintained roads, snow clearing and proper signage. He also pointed to the issue of weeds, which has been a persistent nuisance in parts of the city.