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YORKTON – The 2024 Municipal Election set for Nov. 13 will see the public cast their votes with two mayoral candidates and 10 councillors to choose from.

СÀ¶ÊÓƵ reached out to each candidate with a set of questions to help inform the public of who they're voting for.

Darcy Zaharia, Candidate for City Council

First, a brief history of your time in the city. How long have you been here, work experience, political experience, etc. 

I have called Yorkton home for most of my life and am deeply committed to giving back to the community that has given me so much.

I am a proud father of  two wonderful children born here and СÀ¶ÊÓƵ raised in our community. I work as an auditor for the Provincial Government (25 years and counting), my accounting expertise and passion for local issues bring a unique perspective to Council.

I’ve always been active as a volunteer, currently serving as a coach for various sports, СÀ¶ÊÓƵ a member of various boards and committees. I have previously been a volunteer firefighter and RCMP auxiliary member.

I am currently finishing my second four-year term on City Council.  I sit on various committees including:

• Economic Development Committee
• Environmental Committee
• Yorkton Airport Authority Committee
• Yorkton Housing Corporation

Currently I am the Financial Agent for Cathay Wagantall’s Conservative Electoral District Association.

Why do you feel you're qualified to represent the public on City Council?

I believe I have a range of key qualifications to represent the people of Yorkton on City Council. As a long-term resident, I’ve been actively involved in the community since returning in 2000. I pride myself on СÀ¶ÊÓƵ approachable, responsive, and dedicated to finding solutions to concerns raised by residents. My involvement in local organizations demonstrates my commitment to understanding and addressing community needs. My background in accounting and experience within the provincial government have given me strong expertise in finance and governance, particularly in managing city budgets and policy development. With extensive public service experience, I am familiar with city operations and the policy-making process. I have the ability to assess the long-term impacts of decisions on Yorkton’s infrastructure and services. One of my greatest strengths is effective communication with residents, businesses, administration, fellow council members, and community stakeholders, as well as recognizing the value of teamwork. Through my time as a city councillor and business auditor, I’ve gained significant experience in resolving conflicts and building consensus on important issues. I have a broad understanding of community concerns and the ability to balance immediate needs with long-term planning for the city’s future.

I am also very active on social media and share all kinds of information relating to the city and field questions regularly.

What issues do you feel are the most pressing for the city? 

Infrastructure development is a key priority for any community, and Yorkton is no exception. With the nearly completed York Road project—the largest expenditure in the city’s history—we’re now preparing for two more major undertakings: a crucial wastewater treatment plant, essential for both residents and attracting industry and a new hospital facility. As our major agricultural players expand their operations, we can expect various economic benefits, which will, in turn, drive population growth by attracting skilled workers. In addition to these projects, other important issues facing our community include improving rural healthcare services, managing water resources, supporting both seniors and youth, enhancing public safety, and advocating for increased municipal funding. We also face growing social challenges in mental health issues, addictions and homelessness that needs all of our attention. I look forward to continuing to work with community stakeholders to build a stronger future for Yorkton.

How would you plan to address these issues? 

These are all community issues which affect everyone, so we need to continue collaborating with our stakeholders which includes are residents, businesses, community organizations, surrounding RMs, provincial government – Yorkton СÀ¶ÊÓƵ as well as our federal representative – our local MP.

Infrastructure Development: Work with the other two levels of government  and other community stakeholders to secure funding for the wastewater treatment plant and our new hospital.  Another pressing infrastructure issue which will benefit our entire region is Grain Millers Road.  Getting this road paved will lead to prosperity for our entire region.  In order to realize the full potential of Yorkton СÀ¶ÊÓƵ a major agricultural hub (we have the roads, we have both railways and we have the water), we need to collaborate with the province and the RM and get this project completed.

1. Economic Growth: Partner with local businesses and Suncrest College to provide training and attract skilled workers. 
2. Rural Healthcare: Lobby for funding to improve access, expand telemedicine, and attract medical professionals through incentives.
3. Water Management: Collaborate with governments for funding to ensure sustainable water use and infrastructure upgrades and ensure we are compliant with provincial and federal regulations. 
4. Support for Seniors and Youth: Expand recreational programs and facilities.
5. Public Safety: Apply for grants to enhance policing, emergency services, and community safety initiatives.

In Yorkton we're experiencing concerns with homelessness, drug abuse, mental health, and crime.  Though separate issues they're often intertwined and something that falls on the shoulders of the provincial government. What steps would you, as a city councillor, take to ensure a closer working relationship with the provincial government so that a meaningful impact on these issues can be made? 

As a city councillor, I believe addressing issues like homelessness, drug abuse, mental health, and crime requires a collaborative and proactive approach. While these are complex issues that often fall under the provincial government’s jurisdiction, it’s essential for the city to be an active partner in seeking solutions. 

To foster a closer working relationship with the provincial government, I would take the following steps: 

1. Regular Communication and Advocacy: Establish regular meetings with provincial representatives, advocating for Yorkton’s needs while emphasizing the importance of coordinated action on these issues. This includes pushing for more provincial resources, such as funding for mental health services, addiction treatment, and housing programs.
2. Partnerships with Service Providers: Work closely with local non-profits including SIGN, healthcare providers, and law enforcement to develop a unified voice when engaging with the provincial government. By aligning our local services and support networks, we can present a clear, data-driven case for the resources and programs Yorkton needs.  We are fortunate that our Fire Chief – Trevor Morrissey is spearheading this initiative currently.
3. Provincial and Federal Funding Applications: Actively pursue funding opportunities through provincial and federal programs aimed at addressing homelessness, mental health, and addiction issues. This includes partnering with the provincial government to secure grants and pilot programs that target these intertwined challenges. 
4. Community Involvement and Transparency: Engage community stakeholders, including businesses, social service providers, and residents, to ensure that our initiatives are well-informed and supported. 

By gathering input and keeping the community informed, we strengthen our case when advocating for provincial support. 

What work or education do you have that qualifies your answer? 

As a city councillor with eight years of experience, as well as my background as a volunteer RCMP officer, volunteer firefighter, and high school football coach working with diverse families, I’ve seen firsthand how interconnected issues like drug abuse, mental health, and crime are. While many of these challenges fall under the provincial government’s jurisdiction, City Council has an important role in advocating for solutions and fostering collaboration.  Presenting a clear, unified voice with data on local needs will make a stronger case for provincial support. Drawing from my experience in public safety roles, I know how crucial it is to have well-coordinated local services.

Additionally, my volunteer experience has provided me with an understanding of the importance of building trust within the community, which is key when dealing with sensitive issues like drug abuse and homelessness.
My background, particularly as a volunteer RCMP officer and firefighter, has given me practical insight into the struggles people face and the importance of timely interventions. As a city councillor, I would continue to leverage my experience working with families and individuals to push for meaningful, collaborative solutions with the provincial government that will benefit the Yorkton community as a whole.

What would you do to improve on transparency to maintain the public's trust in their municipal government?

To enhance transparency and maintain public trust in municipal government, I would focus on a few key actions.

First, I would continue ensuring consistent communication by sharing council decisions, meetings, and budget updates through platforms like the city website and social media. It’s important to keep council meetings open to the public, welcoming residents to attend in person, watch the livestream or view taped sessions on Access.  Note, certain issues, like property and personnel matters, must remain confidential.

The City Council Packages are available on the website so residents can see what information we are presented in our discussions and then decision-making processes.  Although past efforts to organize town halls have faced challenges, we should persist in holding them to involve residents in decision-making and project planning. Budget transparency remains a priority, with clear, detailed budget reports presented to show accountability. The City’s financial statements are audited and available to the public and that includes the Public Accounts section which shows city employees that have made over $50,000 and any business that has received over $50,000 from the city.
  
The city already provides feedback mechanisms, such as online portals, for residents to submit concerns, and I would review and strengthen, if necessary, ethics policies to ensure transparency and address any conflicts of interest. 

Personally, I am very active on social media, regularly sharing city updates and asking for feedback, which I bring to council discussions. I will continue to be accessible to residents, helping address their questions or concerns. 

I believe these steps will foster an open and trusting relationship between the city government and the people of Yorkton.