Blake Edwards has been very visible on the streets in recent weeks. (Submitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Campaign

Edwards seeks second term in Ward 6

Oct 9, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Citing his desire to make Prince Albert the best place possible, Blake Edwards says he never thought twice about seeking re-election.

Edwards, who has been campaigning for weeks, told paNOW the general feedback he has received is positive. He said people are in favour of the direction council has taken, most notably the 300 per cent increase to the parks budget.

“I know A.C. Howard Park in Ward 6 is destined for a major improvement next year. We are going to see overt $100,000 spent in there,” he said. “And that’s what people are asking for, ‘hey what are we doing for our kids, what are we doing for the youth to help keep them off the street and keep them busy.'”

In recent weeks, crime has made a number of headlines in the city and one of the more serious incidents happened in the Carlton Park area. On the night of Oct. 4, a 31-year-old man was shot multiple times during a drive-by shooting.

Edwards, who works as a parole officer, said he understands the trends and the need to address addictions and gangs. One solution he proposed is putting additional pressure on the federal and provincial governments for added funding for resources. Edwards said while Prince Albert and Moose Jaw share the same populations, the two cities cannot be equally compared.

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“We are not Moose Jaw. We have our own unique concerns and I think [the governments] need to open their eyes to these concerns and provide more resources so we can help get a handle on our crime in the community,” he said.

In terms of highlights the past four years, Edwards said he was most proud of the community meetings he hosted. Out of those meetings emerged a neighbourhood watch group, which currently has over 200 members.

“I think neighbourhoods and neighbours are distant in a city and this has brought people back together,” Edwards said.

Moving forward, Edwards expressed his excitement about plans for the new aquatic centre and arena which will directly benefit people in the ward. Future projects also include new basketball courts in Carlton Park.

“I think there’s been some significant improvements in the ward that sat fairly stagnant for many years,” he said.

City council has been criticized for its personality conflicts around the table. When asked to comment, Edwards said he has the ability to work with anybody and the ability to work towards the end goal.

“Sure there’s been concerns, there’s been heated debates but you know that’s happened for years and years and years over the council table,” he said. “What I’ve heard from the past is the council of the old used to just sit there and curse at each other.”

Despite their differences Edwards said city council has worked towards a positive goal over the past four years, keeping taxes low, and moved the city forward, while admitting there’s still lots of work to do.

Edwards is challenged in this election by former councillor Martin Ring.

Election day has been scheduled for Nov. 9.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @NigelMaxwell