The former Finance Director of both Battlefords communities is running for Mayor in North Battleford. (File Photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

Finance to politics

Former finance director enters North Battleford mayoral race

Sep 24, 2020 | 2:39 PM

Administration for the Town of Battleford is losing a key member to the mayoral race across the North Saskatchewan River, who makes his foray into politics after six years managing municipal dollars in the area.

Finance Director David Gillan, who handed in his resignation to the town last week, will run against incumbent Ryan Bater and challenger Lois Laing for the reins to city hall. Gillan previously served as the city’s head of finance for three years prior to working for the town in 2018. He said he’s been thinking of entering politics for a while and felt the time was right, wanting move on from his current role and “pursue a new adventure.”

“I’m really interested in helping, I have a unique skillset and inside knowledge that not many have,” Gillan said. “Hopefully that’s something that’s going to be attractive [for voters].”

When you live in a community, you either stop complaining or get involved.”

Gillan said his time working for the city and the town, along with other ventures, gives him a unique qualification for running for mayor compared to many people. Between his experience and his goals for the job, he expects to be able to hit the ground running, despite this being his debut in politics.

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“I live in this community and I believe in it,” he said. “Hopefully my experience will be something that benefits everyone.”

“People know me as the accountant, but don’t realize there’s more in my tool bag than just accounting.”

Gillan said he isn’t ready to discuss the specifics of his platform just yet, wanting not to get ahead of himself at this stage. However, he plans to post details to his profile on the city’s election website soon.

“I’m looking at the higher hanging fruit and the issues that really need to be addressed,” he said.

One issue he did mention there would be a focus on is crime, and the perception of the community in relation to crime.

“It is the anvil around the neck and I’m going to address it,” he said.

The mayoral challenger still has some time left this fall to finish his contract with the town. Gillan said will give him enough time to have things in order and potentially help train a replacement if need be.

“I’ve been here three years and things are fairly stable,” he said. “My work here is done and now it needs to be looked after by someone long-term.”

Now, Gillan said he’s excited for the challenge of running against Bater and Laing, particularly in debates. He hopes that regardless of the result, there’s a positive transformation in the community.

“I hope that I spark change in the right direction, that I think is necessary for the long term health of not just North Battleford, but the whole region,” he said. “Because you know when the city gets a cold, everybody gets sick.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports