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Former N.B. mayor will run for council; plans on tackling crime

Sep 23, 2016 | 7:00 PM

A former mayor and councillor is throwing his hat back into the ring to try and make a change on crime levels, he says.

Wayne Ray was on North Battleford’s city council from 1988 to 1996 and was mayor from 1997-2003. He decided to submit his nomination papers in hopes his experience and passion will help lower the crime rates in the city.

“One of the main issues the city is failing at is crime and safety,” Ray said. “I think we have to have an enhanced strategy set around youth crime. I know they’re working really hard and have made some inroads but I think there are some things that need to be changed.”

Ray’s platform revolves around North Battleford’s high ranking on Canada’s Crime Severity Index and what can be done to lower it. He said the city has been number one for too long and believes he can help in the area.

Some of Ray’s ideas to reduce crime in the city are to put up cameras in crime hotspots and to add more lighting downtown. He also believes police officers do not have all the proper equipment they need and would like to work with council to make sure they are fully equipped.

Ray added the city needs help in race relations, something he is very familiar with.

“In and around the Battlefords we have to work carefully and diligently with First Nations,” Ray said. “It is a two way street. I’ve attended a number of race relations workshops and I think city council should be the ones to spearhead the number of workshops in the area.”

Ray also said taxation levels in North Battleford are one of the highest in the province. He wants to explore more opportunities in economic development. He added his 40 years of experience in accounting could help in that area.

Ray was born and raised in the Battlefords where he married his wife Gail and raised his kids Greg and Kayla. He and his son now own the Minisapoy Café in the Aquatic Centre. He said his wife was a bit hesitant when he decided to get back into politics because she knows how dedicated he will be if elected.

“She knows when I take something on I spend a lot of time on it, but she said if that’s something I want to do that I should go ahead with it,” he said.

Ray has served as Director on Curling Boards, Boys and Girls Club and is currently Vice President of the Rotary Club of the Battlefords.

 

Greg Higgins is battlefordsNOW’s city municipal affairs and health reporter. He can be reached at ghiggins@jpbg.ca or tweet him @realgreghiggins.