Colin Ratushniak also wants to explore options in replacing the Mel Hegland Uniplex. (submitted photo/Colin Ratushniak)

By Derek Cornet

municipal election

Ratushniak promises no backdoor deals or biased decisions if elected mayor

Oct 20, 2020 | 1:38 PM

If elected mayor of La Ronge, Colin Ratushniak’s biggest commitment is to ensure ethical and unbiased community-minded decisions are made.

“I think the residents of La Ronge are ready for someone to come along and really take charge and not be waivered by some of those outside pressures, whether it be links to business or to certain friendships where those backdoor deals have continued to happen and have happened,” he said. “They want someone in office who can really just make those decisions to the best outcome of their community rather than in their own pocketbooks.”

Ratushniak’s believes a mayor’s job is to be someone who can empower ideas, as well as someone who can work together with fellow councillors to create a larger plan to achieve those ideas. For instance, he’s pledging to look into the replacement of the Mel Hegland Uniplex, which he said shouldn’t just come from the taxpayers of La Ronge. He explained it will include a larger process including the provincial and federal governments, as well as searching for grants and other funding opportunities.

Another major commitment of Ratushniak’s is the development of sports and recreation programming. He added sports and recreation is a big part of physical and mental health in a community.

“I’ve travelled and worked in just about 65 countries and five continents around the world, and I’ve worked in various different industries that will really allow me to have those fresh ideas and those new perspectives that I think that La Ronge needs to move forward,” Ratushniak said.

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Ratushniak is currently employed as a pilot with Transwest Air. He’s the fitness centre supervisor at Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre, and he also takes shifts at the local Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority store. He’s worked as a professional figure skater for 14 years and is the current head coach of the La Ronge Skating Club.

Ratushniak moved to La Ronge in April 2019, but he believes he’s in tune with northern Saskatchewan. He grew up in northern Manitoba where he said the environment and challenges are similar.

“I sort have just seen how the council has been ran with my time here and I’m frustrated,” Ratushniak said. “I’m frustrated with some of the outcomes and some of the decision-making, and I’m a type of person where if I want to see change, I’m going to become active in it and I’m going to do what I can to make those positive changes.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno