Parker seeking re-election in Riverview

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This article was published 21/03/2022 (1648 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was tempting for Glen Parker to make a move for the mayor’s seat, but he’s ultimately looking to maintain his spot as a councillor this fall.

The six-year councillor for Riverview told the Sun on Monday that, although he had people encouraging him to make a bid to replace outgoing Mayor Rick Chrest, he worries the extra responsibilities would impair his desire to spend time with his family, especially his young granddaughter.

“I’ve been encouraged or asked to take a run at the mayor’s chair, oddly enough, from all different kinds of people and different angles,” he said. “It makes you feel good that people would think you’re suitable to be considered for that, but the timing’s just not right for me, personally.”

While there is still time before a final decision needs to be made, Parker said his current intention is to run for councillor of his ward for a third time.

“I’ve enjoyed representing the people of that area and the entire city,” Parker said. “Let’s face it, we’re councillors in one ward, but we represent each citizen’s tax dollars, which we’re elected to look after.”

Reflecting on his time on council, he praised the work Chrest has done and called him a tough act to follow.

With the guarantee of a new mayor after eight years, Parker said he believes the transition to new leadership might be a bit challenging but nothing insurmountable.

He didn’t name anyone he’d like to see throw their hat in the ring, but expressed hope that any prospective mayoral candidates are running for the right reason.

“We can always do better, but we’ve done pretty darn well over the last couple of terms,” Parker said. “We’ve moved ahead quite well with tax increases. They’ve been exceptionally low. In the last five or six years, I would suggest that we’ve been as low as any jurisdiction in the country, if not lower.

“I thought as a council, we performed really well during COVID. We did get some COVID money, but all jurisdictions did and most didn’t do nearly as well as we did.”

Other accomplishments Parker said he’s proud of during his tenure are finally getting the outdoor sports complex project off the ground, making road and sidewalk improvements and upgrading the city’s water treatment plant and drainage system.

With big-ticket items on the horizon, Parker said he believes it’ll be harder for the next council to maintain the same kind of financial stability.

Going forward, he hopes the city can attract large employers, though he knows that process takes time.

Parker first joined council in a 2016 byelection after former councillor Vanessa Hamilton resigned to pursue provincial politics. He was re-elected two years later, earning 58.86 per cent of the vote against opponent Brock McEwing.

With Parker’s decision, he becomes the third councillor to announce their intent to run for re-election after Coun. Sunday Frangi (Meadows-Waverly) and Coun. Shaun Cameron (University).

The only incumbent who has ruled out running again is Chrest.

In Manitoba, mayoral and reeve candidates must register to run between May 1 and Sept. 20. Council candidates must register between June 30 and Sept. 20.

Election day is Oct. 27, with winning candidates’ terms starting the following day at noon.

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