Gordon Yarde has been involved on and off in municipal politics in the Battleford community since the mid-1980s. (submitted photo/Gordon Yarde)

By Martin Martinson

For the People

Town council candidate offers listening ear, focus on community

Oct 22, 2020 | 4:00 PM

For over 40 years, Gordon Yarde has called the town of Battleford home. And for the last 35, he has found himself involved on and off as a member of Battleford town council.

A lot may have changed in the world since Yarde first began his foray into municipal politics in the mid-1980s. However, now in his early 80s, he remains as dedicated as ever to serving the people of the community and making a positive difference for both today’s neighbors and future generations.

Yarde said even with all his years of experience, he still looks forward to new challenges ahead and new opportunities to make a positive impact in his community.

“There are still new challenges there, that we have got to deal with,” Yarde said. “I don’t believe when people say ‘you are an older person, there is nothing more to do…’ There is always something to do. There are always challenges to deal with, and new ways to make a difference.”

Yarde is an ordained deacon, with nearly 20 years’ experience as a psychiatric nurse as well. The people business has always been what is most important to Yarde. It is what has kept him coming back to council, church, and other various community functions.

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That community-centered focus is something Yarde believes, to this day, is at the core of what makes the town of Battleford a great place to live. A people-person in the very sense of the word, Yarde said he prides himself on being someone the people can count on to listen to their concerns wholeheartedly, before coming to an informed decision.

“When I go to council, I take the concerns of the people to council to discuss,” he said. “Sometimes people are just looking for that person to listen to them, and I think it’s important to offer that [listening ear].”

Yarde said when a community can band together and look out for one another, everyone benefits.

While necessities such as taxes are vital to the ongoing growth and stability of the town, Yarde also wants to help ensure any increased taxation is not too much of a burden for local families.

“Taxes are necessary, because people are asking for better roads and better housing, and all those things take money, so you have to charge a little bit more,” he said. “We just don’t want taxes to be hurting people. Everything we do should not just be for ourselves. It should be able to benefit the community, our friends, our families, and neighbours. That’s how I see things.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1