MOOSE JAW — Resident Obeyaa Ampofo-Hunstad has announced that she is running in the Nov. 13 municipal election to be a city councillor. Presented below are Ampofo-Hunstad’s answers to questions from the Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com. Some answers have been edited for length.
Why are you running/what prompted you to run?
I’m running for city council because I’m dedicated to making a positive impact in our community. My goal is to promote long-term planning that focuses on sustainable economic development, strong infrastructure, and vibrant recreational venues, while engaging residents.
Recently, as I drove my young sons (an eight-year-old and two year-old) to my sister's house, I pointed out my campaign sign, which really got him excited and intrigued. He asked what running for city council meant. I explained that it meant I love Moose Jaw and I want it to be a place where they would still be proud of and come back to even if they leave to explore other communities and places. I want to serve our community and advocate for its needs
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
If elected, I will aim to enhance our infrastructure — focusing on roads, bridges, and recreational venues. I will encourage local shopping to keep money within our city.
I will ensure effective engagement with residents by incorporating diverse viewpoints, promoting community involvement, connecting with various groups, and consistently integrating feedback. My goal would be to make city council more responsive and accountable, prioritizing transparency and engagement with residents on relevant issues.
What would be your top area(s) of focus?
If elected, I will champion sustainable economic growth and cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship to create a vibrant local economy. My focus will be on initiatives and policies that attract, retain, and expand businesses, empowering our community to shop locally. Supporting locally owned businesses will not only foster job creation but also keep money circulating within Moose Jaw.
I am committed to enhancing our infrastructure, parks, recreational venues, and community programs. Another priority would be to develop a comprehensive plan for new infrastructure while ensuring the maintenance of existing facilities, focusing on long-term benefits rather than short-term fixes.
I would ensure that we engage residents and organizations on issues pertaining to essential services, including affordable housing. I aim to build an engaged and responsive community by making council more responsive to the needs of residents and involving various stakeholders in meaningful decision-making.
What issues do you think need to be addressed in Moose Jaw?
I believe there are some critical issues that need our attention. First, we need to improve our infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and utilities. Upgrading these will not only enhance our quality of life but also attract new residents and businesses.
We also need to focus on supporting and expanding local businesses. Creating initiatives that encourage entrepreneurship will help our local businesses succeed, leading to job creation and economic stability.
Lastly, homelessness is an emerging issue that requires urgent attention. We need to engage different stakeholders and community organizations to develop solutions that ensure everyone has access to safe and affordable housing. Addressing homelessness is essential for the overall well-being of our community and supports our economic growth.
How would you make life more affordable for residents?
Making life more affordable for residents is a priority that requires a multi-faceted approach. One strategy I would explore would be to incentivize new businesses to start up in the city or move to the city. By expanding the city’s footprint and increasing density, we can increase tax revenues and limit the need to increase taxes.
The generated tax revenues can also be reinvested into community services and infrastructure. Attracting and retaining businesses not only creates job opportunities but also promotes healthy competition, leading to lower prices for goods and services, which directly benefit residents.
Additionally, supporting local businesses ensures that more of our money stays within the community, promoting local economic growth and resilience.
How would you reign in excessive and/or unnecessary spending? Would you consider cutting taxes or reducing projects?
To effectively reign in excessive or unnecessary spending in our community, we need to prioritize essential services such as utilities, policing, fire protection, and road repairs. These services are vital for the safety and well-being of our residents. I would propose re-evaluating initiatives that have already incurred sunk costs.
Continuing to fund projects that do not provide clear benefits diverts resources from areas that truly need support. By focusing on the right priorities, we can better address the immediate needs of our community.
Additionally, I would encourage the city to improve efficiencies within internal processes. Identifying areas where we can achieve cost savings or avoid unnecessary expenses will help us allocate funds more effectively.
My approach would be prioritization and long-term planning, as these are essential for managing costs and ensuring that our budget reflects the community's core needs.
Would you approve of using taxpayers’ money to support the Hilton Hotel project and/or a related parkade?
I would not support using taxpayers’ money to fund the Hilton Hotel project or a related parkade, as this could adversely impact the essential services provided to residents and the overall community.
Instead, I would explore alternative funding options that do not place a financial burden on taxpayers. One approach would be to attract private investors by offering tax incentives. This could stimulate interest and investment without using public funds.
Additionally, looking for partnerships with private developers who are willing to contribute to the project, thereby sharing both the costs and the benefits. By pursuing other alternatives, we can support economic development in our city without compromising vital community services.
How would you address the issues facing the community’s impoverished and homeless residents?
To address the challenges facing our community's impoverished and homeless residents, I will propose a multifaceted approach that focuses on community engagement — recognizing that many individuals experiencing homelessness may also struggle with other issues such as mental health.
I will engage a diverse array of stakeholders — such as social services, healthcare providers, educators, the food bank, mental health professionals, law enforcement, current service providers, and faith-based organizations.
This will be essential in developing effective, community-driven solutions. By collaborating with these groups, we can create tailored programs that truly meet the needs of our residents.
I will also explore existing community assets that could be repurposed for affordable housing and build strong partnerships with service providers. Working with various levels of government will be crucial to secure the funding and resources necessary to support initiatives.
What steps would you take to increase economic growth or encourage businesses to move here?
To boost economic growth and attract businesses to Moose Jaw, I would focus on the following:
1. Attract new residents: promote Moose Jaw as a great place to live and work, which will help build our workforce and increase demand for local businesses.
2. Attract/enhance skilled labour availability: explore collaboration with Saskatchewan Polytechnic and our high schools. We can create programs that link graduates to local job opportunities, encouraging them to stay in our community.
3. Implement tax incentives: offering tax breaks to new and existing businesses can attract investment and make our city a more appealing place for businesses.
4. Streamline permitting processes: by making it seamless to get permits, we can help businesses handle regulations better, and reduce delays.
How would you address the problems between SAMA and the business community?
I believe there’s a need for transparency when it comes to how SAMA deals with the business community. I would be open to looking at what is being done in other communities in our province for lessons learned and best practices.
Would you halt spending money on the agri-food industrial park until an anchor tenant is found?
Before deciding to halt spending on the agri-food industrial park, I would first review the existing plans — including the current state and the potential future state. Then, I would assess the current infrastructure to see what improvements are needed to attract tenants, carefully considering the costs and benefits of any changes.
What is your long-term vision for the community 10 to 20 years down the road? How would you bring that to fruition?
My vision for our city focuses on sustained economic growth, a skilled workforce, and quality services for residents and businesses. I would want to see an agile city which can quickly adapt to new challenges and opportunities, ensuring we meet the needs of our community.
To this to fruition, we’ll need to embrace innovation and leverage technology. I believe it’s essential to actively engage residents, especially young people, as they are the future of our city. Building strong, trust-based relationships with various partners and stakeholders will be important to our future.
Why are you the best person for this role?
I have extensive experience in public service and community engagement. For over a decade, I've been dedicated to serving the public, leading various initiatives and policies in areas of community safety and well-being, crime reduction, social services and, most recently, agriculture.
My career spans various roles in public and non-profit sectors, including positions as a volunteer co-ordinator, policy analyst, and director in multiple departments. I also hold a graduate degree in public policy from the University of Saskatchewan, providing me with the skills to address complex issues effectively.
Currently, I serve on the cultural diversity advisory committee, where I collaborate with stakeholders to address community needs. I also serve on my local church board.
What are your top skills/qualities/attributes?
My top skills and qualities include the ability to connect and collaborate with different stakeholders by building trust-based relationships. I value open communication, integrity, transparency, and honesty, and I strive to be a responsible steward of my talent and resources.
I also consider myself a forward thinker, bringing diverse perspectives and ideas to council.
Why should people vote for you?
I’m passionate about creating a community with opportunities for future generations. I believe in strategic thinking, open-mindedness, and honest, servant leadership. I’m dedicated to tackling our community's biggest challenges and want to hear your ideas. I don’t have all the answers, but by listening and engaging with residents, we can work together to address the critical issues we face.
