Pam Sukut is the latest person to announce her candidacy for the Ward 8 councillor by-election. (submitted photo)

By Susan McNeil

Ward 8 by-election

West Hill is home for Ward 8 candidate

Apr 14, 2023 | 3:58 PM

Pam Sukut has spent much of her life living in Prince Albert’s Ward 8 and has a serious love of politics. She decided to put her knowledge and passion to good use when the councillor position was vacated by Ted Zurakowski this past January.

Sukut says she knows the ward very well, having lived there for almost 40 years where she and her husband raised their children.

“I am a business owner and I feel I can contribute to the city and to that ward because I know it very well. I’ve seen it change and grow and develop,” she said.

Sukut grew up on a farm but when she moved into the city, her apartment was in Ward 8 and then she and her new spouse bought a house on Buchanan Drive.

“Our kids went to Arthur Pechey School. We knew the whole neighbourhood,” she said. About six years ago they downsized and bought a different house, but still in the West Hill area.

GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

8h ago

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

14h ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

Dec 13, 2024

“It feels like a community. Wherever you go, it’s a tight-knit community,” she said.

She watches all three levels of government in action on the internet when she can and says she often knows what the news is before it is published.

“I’m going into all the politics. I’m reading on all their sites to see what’s happening and what’s going on, before it even hits the media,” said Sukut.

“Being that I’m kind of a political junkie, I thought that I should contribute some of my knowledge,” she said.

She prizes efficiency in her business and her home and runs both the same way.

“I don’t believe in waste so I think in budgets I would be very efficient. I know how to penny pinch when it comes to a small business and I’ve learned that from a very young age,” she said.

While she has never held an elected position before, Sukut has no problem talking to people and says she is confident in her ability to hear concerns, even saying no when she feels its necessary.

People are already approaching her and asking for help navigating the city’s departments and personnel to have their problems solved.

“I like people. I’m comfortable discussing issues and I’m comfortable saying no so if my opinion is that I don’t agree with something going forward, I definitely will. I won’t go along to get along. That’s just not my nature,” she said.

In preparation for her run, she said she is focusing on small things. For instance, Sukut said she would have supported a decision to put cameras at the downtown transit station because she knows a lot of people that use the transit system that need to feel safe.

Another area of interest is the downtown core. She would like to see Central Avenue become one lane with angle parking to make it easier for drivers to get to the businesses there.

The current system of parallel parking can makes it difficult to find parking.

“I think I can bring a different perspective as a small business person, having lived rural and urban. I know how politics work but ultimately its up to the people,” she said.

The by-election is May 31. Nominations close on April 26 at 4:00 p.m.

More information can be found on the city’s website.

—

susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com