Lachlan Cummine wants a second term.
Cummine was elected three years ago in a by-election that took place after the resignation of Alan Cayford from council, and announced his intentions via social media earlier in the week. Speaking to 106.1 The Goat on Friday afternoon, Cummine said he “really enjoyed” being part of the local government.
“It takes one to two years to figure out what’s going on,” said Cummine.
“The learning curve is very steep, and what you see as a simple solution sitting on the outside, is not so when you get on the inside.”
Cummine said he would want to increase his experience on council in a second term, expressing a desire to be less timid about speaking out. As for what he viewed as the successes of the past three years on council, he was firm on one particular item.
“Probably the only thing that ever came to fruition was to move the Lloydminster Regional Archives from the basement of this building (the Atrium Centre) to get them out of a basement,” said Cummine.
Cummine was proud of his work on inter-municipal relations in the Border City area, as well as work accomplished on the ongoing annexation project. He also was happy with the recent moves by city administration to become more transparent.
“They’ve posted the accounts payable, online,” said Cummine.
“I don’t know why they ever quit doing that, other than maybe privacy issues, but now they come out and the only thing that’s redacted is your address. I’m there spending the public’s money, I’m there spending your money, it’s coming out of your wallet and my wallet, you should know where it’s going.”
Cummine said he would want to see the regular posting of the documents online, going forward.
When asked how he would handle his campaign, Cummine said he would focus on putting up signs, and being active on social media.
“Some of the fellas are out there door-knocking and good for them, if they want to do that,” said Cummine.
“I myself don’t like people knocking on my door in the evening, so I don’t want to go out and do that and disturb people.”
He also indicated he would be focusing on infrastructure issues, such as the wastewater treatment plant, as well as inter-governmental relationships with the higher levels of government.
“I look at our leaders, out there on their magical mystery tour throughout the world, spending billions of dollars, and I just want eight per cent of one billion dollars, that’ll get this thing (the plant) going.”
A full list of confirmed candidates in the municipal race will be issued on September 22, with Lloydminster residents heading to the polls on October 26.