Don Atchison running for Saskatoon mayor in 2nd comeback attempt
City's longest-serving mayor lost elections in 2016, 2020
Former Saskatoon mayor Don Atchison is once again running for city council's top job, his second comeback attempt in as many elections.
Atchison is the fourth candidate to declare for the mayoral race. Ward 6 Coun. Cynthia Block and former Saskatoon Northwest MLA Gordon Wyant announced their campaigns in June, while Cary Tarasoff announced in April.
Atchison said one of his top priorities if elected will be rescinding the rezoning decisions allowing four-plex construction in neighbourhoods across the city and four-storey buildings along bus rapid transit corridors.
"It's absolutely devastating. It's going to destroy the fabric, the character, the heart and soul of Saskatoon," Atchison told CBC's Saskatoon Morning.
He declined to share alternative ideas for fixing the affordable housing crisis and helping the homeless.
"We have a plan for that. We're not gonna lay that out today. I want to hear what the other [candidates] have to say," Atchison said.
"After they tell you what it is, I'll tell you what mine is, because I already have one in place. And I know how we can get, not all of it, but a significant amount of it done."
He also wants to put a hold on the downtown arena project. Earlier this month, the city announced it has a tentative $170-million deal with private company OVG360 to help fund the new arena and convention centre downtown.
Atchison said the project should be paused until a full funding plan is in place.
"If you can't pay for snow removal, and you had to go out and borrow $20 million last year to pay for it and have to pay it back over a period of time, how are you going to pay for this rink when you've told the taxpayers they aren't going to have to pay for it on their mill rate?" he said.
Atchison also committed to freezing the mill rate in 2025.
He said his 22 years as a mayor and city councillor makes him the best choice for mayor.
"I think I have a really good idea on how the operations operate, being able to work with the provincial governments, federal governments," Atchison said.
"We were able to negotiate deals that have never been done before. [I] had legislation actually changed as well. So I think I'm the perfect person for this time."
Atchison served as mayor from 2003 to 2016, making him the city's longest-serving mayor.
He lost to current Mayor Charlie Clark in 2016 by more than 3,000 votes.
Atchison ran again in 2020 and placed third behind Clark and former Sask. Party MLA Rob Norris. Clark announced in January that he would not seek re-election.
More recently, Atchison has worked as a senior consultant for Canwest Commercial Land Corp.
Elections for urban municipalities in Saskatchewan are scheduled for Nov. 13, 2024.
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With files from Saskatoon Morning