Museum administrator enters race for Ward 9

The executive director of the Brandon General Museum and Archives is taking his shot at a seat on city council.

Keith Waterfield, who is registered as a candidate in Ward 9, said he is running in the ward he lives in because he worries that culture, heritage and arts aren’t high enough of a priority for the city.

“I think Brandon has a really strong community and history,” Waterfield said. “We have all these heritage buildings like McKenzie Seeds … that we need to look after, we need to preserve,” he said in an interview at the downtown museum.

“I’m a passionate person about my community and I’ve reached a certain age and started to think about how can I give back to my community. How can I give back to my neighbours and do something more with my life?” he said.

Waterfield faces Norah Woychyshyn and Scott Pedlow, after sitting Coun. Glen Parker announced he wouldn’t run for re-election after two and a half terms.

While Waterfield would only be one of 11 voices elected around the council table if elected, he said he would make sure that his priorities are talked about.

Ward 9 encompasses much of the city’s east end, lying north of Park Avenue East and east of First Street. Waterfield said the ward is a beautiful and diverse part of the city.

Parker represented the ward well over the last 10 years, Waterfield said, and he wants to “carry on that tradition” of being “very helpful with residents.”

“I think of myself as somebody who can get things done and help out when and how I can,” Waterfield said.

Making sure older infrastructure, such as heritage buildings and the East End Community Centre, are being cared for are other priorities, he said. Making sure Rideau Park remains a popular destination is also important.

“We want to make sure that that continues to be a thriving space for everyone,” Waterfield said. “That park is quite often filled with young people and families, and I just want to keep that going.”

Parker earlier this year suggested lighting up the rusting water tower to make it more of a tourist attraction.

Waterfield said he can get behind that idea as a way to raise the status of the park and ward as a whole.

As someone who works downtown, Waterfield added that he is “quite happy” with the city’s current campaign to revitalize the core. Working with organizations like the Downtown Biz, Western Manitoba Regional Library and the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba is important so that “this hub continues to flourish.”

Waterfield added that he wants to be accountable to the city’s citizens.

“I would love to take responsibility for any mistakes that I make. I want people to be accountable for their actions. We want people to own up to mistakes — you know, ‘pobody’s nerfect,’ as the saying goes.”

He said having competition for the seat is “wonderful,” and that hopefully it will mean higher voter turnout.

“I’m very excited to have this opportunity. And the main thing is I want people to get out and vote.”

The election is Oct. 28.

» alambert@brandonsun.com