It looks like Vernon will have a race for mayor this November. Rob Sawatzky has announced he will be running for the city's top elected position in the November 19th municipal elections. The 59 year old retired doctor tells KISS FM, he has the time to
devote to the community, and the proven fiscal skills to do the job. "To many voters, that's a primary concern. How are mayor and council
looking after our taxes, how well are they perusing the budget, how well
are they providing services in a cost effective, timely manner?" Sawatzky
(pictured) also would like to see a
better relationship between the Greater Vernon partners, saying the
current model is completely dysfunctional. "The structure worked pretty well under some previous personalities
and administrations. There's always the question if that structure is
still appropriate but that's a discussion for another time, but clearly
it functioned much better in the past than now, and you either have to
say that's a product of the structure of local governance, or a product
of the personalities and people involved." Sawatzky, a native of Carrot River Saskatchewan, has served as a
member, chair or president of various committees and organizations
including the Ribbons of Green Trail Society, but has never held
political office. "I haven't unless you include winning the Red Cross presidency in
grade 8, or student athletic council in grade 12, and I think they were
both by acclamation. I have done considerable advocacy, and made
multiple presentations to Vernon and Coldstream councils and the
regional district, so I'm quite familiar with the process."
Sawatzky practiced medicine for 21 years after medical school at the U
of Saskatchewan, five years of practice in Dalhousie New Brunswick and
a short stint of practice in South Carolina where he met his wife Betsy. The couple has two grown children who attend university. Current mayor Wayne Lippert has said he plans to seek a third term as
mayor, with the nomination period running from October 4 to 14.
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Vernon Doctor To Run For Mayor's Job
It
didn't take Rob Sawatzky long. The newly-retired doctor has decided to
run for mayor of Vernon in the November municipal election. The
59-year-old MD has practiced medicine in Vernon for 21 years. Last week,
Sawatzky indicated to SUN FM that he was considering an election bid.
Sawatzky says City spending must be the priority of any mayor. ``You
have to have a prime interest in that,'' says Sawatzky. ``You are the
caretaker and gatekeeper for all of our tax dollars and we always need
to be reviewing our performance.'' Sawatzky says that might include an
external audit, like the one conducted in Penticton. Councillor Bob
Spiers has pushed for such a review. Sawatzky says he is a good listener
and communicator. He believes a ``different personality'' at the
Greater Vernon Advisory Council may improve relations. Meanwhile,
businessman Lew Rossner is still considering a bid against incumbent
mayor Wayne Lippert but has not yet made up his mind.
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