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Guy Turcotte believes council needs fresh faces

Oct 6, 2016 | 12:00 PM

One candidate is tired of the same old approach to crime and thinks new council members in North Battleford will give a fresh look on community safety.

Guy Turcotte has lived in the Battlefords for 24 years and worked a range of jobs in that time. He said he knows firsthand how much North Battleford has to offer but doesn’t think the city is being utilized enough due to crime.

“I’ve seen the previous city councils and everything’s pretty much stayed the same for as long as I can remember,” Turcotte said. “The main issues are crime and attracting new businesses. To attract those businesses we need to give them a safe place to operate.”

Beyond the talk, Turcotte said he has a plan to reduce crime in North Battleford. He wants the province to be involved and pay more attention to crime in the city. To combat this he said he sent letters to the provincial government but received minimal response. His goal is to bring in Premier Brad Wall and Christine Tell, Minister of Central Services to the area for a meeting.

Turcotte also wants to see the Community Safety Officers utilized more. He said he hasn’t seen them work passed 6 p.m. and wants them to start working night shifts until 6 a.m. Turcotte feels the majority of crime happens overnight and wants them to appear to be more than “bylaw officers” handing out tickets for traffic infractions.

Turcotte admits he has no previous experience in politics but isn’t concerned it will work against him. He said what he lacks in experience he makes up in passion.

“If I’m elected I will be refreshing and possibly entertaining if you’re going to watch,” Turcotte said. “I am very blunt … do people’s feelings get hurt sometimes? Yes. I sometimes say the wrongs things but when you are passionate about something you give it your all, and that’s what I plan to do.”

Turcotte added the most important thing isn’t necessarily voting for him, but voting period.

“I have heard from some people it will be their first time voting because I am running,” Turcotte said. “All the new candidates are going to bring in first time voters or people who haven’t voted in a long time. That’s what voting is all about. Picking the candidate you think will represent you. Just get out there and vote, and vote for change.”

 

Greg Higgins is battlefordsNOW’s city municipal affairs and health reporter. He can be reached at ghiggins@jpbg.ca or tweet him @realgreghiggins.