ESTEVAN - Kevin Andrews is taking a first shot at running for Estevan city council.
Andrews said after tracking the decisions of council during the past three years, as well as attending council meetings in person and watching them on YouTube through the city's website, he hasn't been happy with the direction the city has been taking, and he wants to make some changes.
Andrews wants to see the city's business taxes reduced to make them more competitive, and he wants to see the city's debt reduced further, which would allow for further tax reductions and for more people to come to Estevan.
He also wants the city to stop adding fluoride to the water supply; the measure, which helps prevent tooth decay, happens in other communities. A non-binding plebiscite was held in the 2014 civic byelection on using fluoride in the water, and residents voted to continue the process.
Andrews thinks another plebiscite might be warranted.
"I'd like to stop it [fluoridation] right away until we have that [the plebiscite], because it's poison and I don't think anybody wants to get poisoned any more than they have to, but a plebiscite would likely be one way to do it," said Andrews.
He also says he wants to educate Estevan residents on organizations such as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Local Government for Sustainability, Partners for Climate Protection and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, all of which he accuses of destroying communities. He said efforts like Gather 2030 have been pushing back.
"There's a battle going on, and I'd like to do that same thing … getting their information to bring to the city and let people know what's actually going on with these organizations," said Andrews.
He has been standing on street corners in Estevan on an almost weekly basis with signs that tout the challenges facing Dutch farmers and other issues.
Prior to this term, Andrews said he hadn't tracked Estevan city council closely, but he knew that things were happening he didn't like. But he had just retired and was enjoying spending time with his family. When the pandemic hit, he started paying closer attention.
"I think everybody should get involved as young as possible, because if you don't do anything, you're going to get somebody that you might not want, doing to you what they're doing, and that's where it got to me."
