Darryl Hickie formally announced his intention to run for mayor this morning. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff) 

By Glenn Hicks

Mayoral race

Hickie runs for mayor, takes shots at Dionne

Aug 4, 2020 | 12:51 PM

Former Prince Albert Carlton MLA Darryl Hickie has formally entered the mayoral race for the Nov. 9 civic election.

The recently retired former Prince Albert police officer, now in his mid-fifties, promised taxpayers he will focus on tackling crime and job creation. He previously served provincially as minister for corrections, public safety and policing and the minister responsible for municipal affairs.

Hickie did not hold back in attacking the performance of the current mayor.

In announcing his intention to run this morning he ran through a list of criticisms about Greg Dionne saying he heard concerns about the incumbent’s “lack of focus on the high violent crime rate, his conduct during council meetings, his statements that we shouldn’t be afraid of debt,” among other issues.

Hickie told paNOW “[Dionne] is clearly about himself; his arrogance is becoming exhausting as he tells the taxpayers if not for himself Prince Albert would have nothing to show. He takes credit for things in Prince Albert that others have accomplished, in fact.”

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The challenger said if he’s elected, he’ll be a calming influence on council and give everyone a voice.

Darryl Hickie’s campaign vehicle will add some mobile colour to the mayoral race. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

“We see recently the mayor ends debate prematurely; it’s as if he wants to stifle the public from knowing what truly members of council have on their mind because it may not go with his plan,” he said.

If elected, Hickie promised he would immediately ask for an audit to get a picture of what the city’s financial state is and release that update to the taxpayers. He also promised to tackle the high crime rate saying he would work with community groups and listen to their input.

While he explained he was in support of private business, jobs and the planned $60 million recreation complex and aquatic complex, Hickie was critical of the lack of public consultation about the city’s purchase of the land for it.

“What due diligence or studies did the city do before deciding what land to buy? Why didn’t the city decide not to use land it already owns?” he said.

Dionne responds

In response to Hickie’s criticisms, Dionne said he would not be “throwing mud” in this campaign and it was about leadership.

“He [Hickie] quit as MLA early and left us without an MLA for months. What did he do about crime as minister of policing?” he said.

Dionne said he had no idea where the claims of arrogance had come from and stressed city council had collectively achieved “incredible” funding over the last four years.

“At the end of the day whether we clash or not, we move this city forward,” he said.

The P.A. mayoral battle is currently a three horse race, including Coun. Dennis Nowoselsky.

—

With files from Ian Gustafson

panews@jpbg.ca