Top stories of 2014: MLA Hickie steps down

He said he believes he’s done that. “Not myself personally, but because I was part of a Saskatchewan Party government that was able to win 2007 and again 2011, that we’ve made the province a better place for everybody.”

Some of the highlights of his time in politics include being appointed twice and chairing a traffic safety committee, which is now seeing its recommendations implemented.

“Just the day-to-day things you know when people phone the office and they’re frustrated with not getting the service they think they’re supposed to get from people in the bureaucracy and you know you’re able to intervene on someone’s behalf and get them the resolution, to them at time is a very serious problem, and get their resolution quickly for them is even more rewarding,” he explained.

Some of the projects he’s proud of that were completed during his time as MLA include the completion of Highway 11, the new Pineview Terrace long-term care facility, the current review of the Victoria Hospital to see if renovations or a new hospital is in its future and more police officers coming to Prince Albert, among others, he said.

However, there was some backlash to Hickie training as a police officer while still an MLA. It even garnered enough attention that NDP raised questions about it in the legislative assembly, taking issue with the double duty.

At the time, Premier Brad Wall said he feels the two can coincide in the manner in which Hickie was doing.

“I’m comfortable with (his training) happening. He’s indicating he’s not running again, he’s going to return full time to the force. My understanding is then if he wants to resume active duty, he would have to make a choice between his MLA duties and being an active police officer,” Wall said in June.

However, due to public concern, Hickie said he stopped training. He will be going back to train in the spring, but added it is only for a short time.

“It wouldn’t be more than just a day or two because to retain my qualifications that I’ve recertified now as of last summer, that’s the process I would do now,” he said. “It wouldn’t be on the taxpayer’s dime; I wouldn’t take an extra salary, I would a day from work or half a day from being MLA and doing that. There would be no conflict at all.”

He said he’s looking forward to going back to something he truly loves and protect the people of Prince Albert.

Handing over the reins to the next candidate, Hickie would say to listen to the people.

“Understand that you work for the people of the province and for the people of Prince Albert Carlton, you’re only as good as your last discussion.”

The future of P.A. Carlton

Running to be the next MLA for Prince Albert Carlton is NDP candidate Shayne Lazarowich and Sask Party candidate Joe Hargrave.

“I think that Prince Albert needs better representation. We need MLAs that will tell Regina and our province how wonderful Prince Albert really is. People that are actually really willing to speak up for this city and talk about issues and talk about some of the challenges we have,” Lazarowich said.

For him, health care needs to be looked at closely, alongside a second bridge and infrastructure in general.

If elected he said he won’t “treat this as a part-time job. It’s a full-time thing.”

Hargrave also has a list of priorities if he’s elected in 2016. He said many of them fall in line with Hickie’s.

One of his focuses is on economic development.

“Brad Wall has just done a tremendous job here and in the economy,” he said. “For me it’s about team building.”

Owning four businesses, he said he knows how to make tough decision, which would help him if elected as MLA.

“I’m excited about 2015 because we are going to be out there knocking on doors … meeting people and listening to what they have to say.”

To read more of our top stories of 2014, click here.

sstone@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahstone84

by Sarah Stone

Top stories of 2014: MLA Hickie steps down

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