License Email Print Increase Decrease Reset Comments

Quick on the draw — Shari Decter Hirst

What was involved in your decision not to use a hyphen between Decter and Hirst when you got married?

Probably because the normal way of doing it is to do the married name at the end and the maiden name in the middle and I didn’t think that was very good, so I did it the other way around. No hyphen, though.

Where did the spark come from that led you to announce you planned to run for mayor of Brandon this October?

I’ve been a passionate supporter of Brandon all my life. My family goes back five generations in Brandon. I grew up loving this city and knew a very, very long time ago that I wanted to serve the city. I’ve expressed that in several ways — charitable work in the United Way campaigns, all those kinds of things, and now with my kids grown, it’s time for me to turn my attention to civic politics.

Considering incumbent Mayor Dave Burgess picked up 63 per cent of the vote in 2006 and the other five candidates shared 37 per cent, what makes you think the voters will be less inclined to support Burgess this time around?

I think the 2010 election is going to be fought on leadership and, frankly, change. Again, there is a sense that the city needs to move forward more aggressively, needs to have a different management style at council. It needs to re-engage the community. I think four years ago there were different issues that aren’t going to be the issues in this election.

How do you address the suggestion that you’re an “NDP candidate?”

I think that there’s no role for partisan politics at the city level. We have community issues that we have to deal with collectively as a community, much like . . . is Dave the Tory candidate? I don’t know. I think I can put together a platform that will appeal to a very broad selection of voters in the city. From 30 years as an adult and 50 years old, I don’t approach things from a left-wing perspective or a right-wing perspective. I do what’s best for the community.

Your outline of post-election plans was all-inclusive, but what would be the No. 1 priority for the city under your guidance?

One of the things voters need to do is get a sense of how I would approach issues. How I would do things differently, which is why I want to spend time focusing on my leadership style. I’ve been talking to many people in Brandon since October when I announced and I hear some consistent things coming up. One, people just want to be consulted on the direction of their city. I thought of office hours at City Hall. That’s ridiculous. I mean, why expect people to come to you? Frankly, I plan to institute office hours at a variety of coffee shops in Brandon on a regular basis. So if people have concerns about garbage, have concerns about their taxes or wanting to talk to me about other things that impact on their daily lives, they’ll know where to find me. I want to be approachable. There shouldn’t be any reason why we don’t use all of the collective brain power in the city.

What’s the one thing Brandon really needs that it doesn’t have?

A sense that we can move forward. That we don’t need to mark time. We don’t need the status quo. We don’t have to be satisfied with the status quo. We have wonderful assets in this community that are sitting idle. Off the top of my head, I’m thinking of ACC, Brandon University, the public library, the fire college. We can utilize those assets far more effectively than we have been.

What kind of public reaction did you receive when you announced your mayoralty intentions last fall?

Everybody that talks to me is absolutely delighted. There is a sense that there’s time for a change. People who know me or getting to know me feel I have the skills and experience that will be of service to the city.

What’s your opinion on the levels of compensation for the mayor and council?

In all honesty, I don’t know. I’ve never looked. I haven’t got a hot clue what the mayor makes.

Does the position of mayor have to be a full-time job?

I think so. That’s one of the big differences between mayor and council. That’s one of the reasons I’m interested in the mayor’s chair.

How much will you be — or are you — watching the Olympic Games?

I am a patriotic Canadian who has been absolutely fascinated with the Olympic Games. From the torch run which was awe-inspiring, to the opening ceremonies, which were absolutely fabulous. The medals are wonderful. Heart-breaking tragedy. This is world-class drama played right in front of us.

What sport do you most enjoy participating in?

I swim laps every day at the Sportsplex at 6: 30 in the morning.

Are you a Facebook or Twitter fan?

I’m a Facebooker, although my Facebook site has been decommissioned for now until we launch it for the campaign.

What’s your favourite meal to cook at home, and what’s your favourite to order when you go out?

My favourite meal to eat at home is when my husband does roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. When I go out, I love Italian.

What kind of population can you foresee for Brandon in the next 15 to 20 years and what will make it grow?

We have to have a strategy to get to 75,000. That seems to be a magic number that allows us to crack that next level of services and businesses that we need.

License Email Print Increase Decrease Reset Comments

Comments

Be the first to comment!