Jay Hitchen spent the bulk of career in communications before becoming an entrepreneur, and he hopes to utilize those skills at city hall as a member of council. Hitchen says a councillor's priorities should mirror those of the citizens.--Submitted Photo
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
Council hopeful Jay Hitchen is looking to showcase to the world stage exactly how wonderful Medicine Hat is as a city.
A former broadcaster and a retired business owner, Hitchen says his decision to run for council ultimately boils down to civic duty.
“You live in a community for as long as I have, you notice that the city needs input from citizens,” said Hitchen. “I’ve been a citizen for a long time, so after much thinking and talking with family, I made the decision to jump into the fray and see if I could help out.”
While not born in the city, he has made it his home for 35 years and feels he brings a deep and broad level of experience that may be helpful for the municipality. Hitchen has been in the communications industry for those 35 years, as well as a business owner for six. Because of that time in broadcasting he also enjoys an understanding with many organizations and people.
“I’ve basically been in contact with every service and charity and individual that makes the town tick,” said Hitchen. “So I’m pretty well positioned, I believe, to represent the City of Medicine Hat and also to communicate our vision to the broader world.”
He believes that ultimately, a councillor’s priorities should reflect the needs of the community as opposed to any personal platform, but he has noticed a few issues he believes the residents and the city have as major priorities.
Better civic government makes the top of the list for Hitchen. He says balanced and informed communication at city hall is a must as the community looks toward the next term, to better facilitate good decision making.
“City-owned utilities are a priority for me. I want to look at how we can maintain that revenue source in the City of Medicine Hat, because it has been a boon and a benefit for the residents for 100 years or more,” said Hitchen.
He says selling the utilities is not something he would consider at this time.
Likewise, ongoing issues with homelessness and poverty in the community remain at the forefront of his mind, as he observes how the rising cost of living affects nobody more than those without the means to earn that basic living.
“We have to approach those types of situations with compassion and understanding, separating criminal elements from those with mental illness and those with just sheer community need,” said Hitchen. “It’s not just a policing issue or a health issue, and it doesn’t rest solely on the shoulders of Medicine Hat. It’s up to us as a municipality to lobby the other two forms of government to make sure that we are all pulling our weight.”
A much lighter focus for Hitchen is also the safety of the trails which many Hatters enjoy. He said he would like to see a safety campaign to ensure people are aware of how to ensure their own trail experience isn’t at the expense of others and potentially bylaw regulations for what kinds of units are permitted on trails.
As the election draws closer, Hitchen advises residents to be prepared to “get sick of looking at (his) face,” as he keeps up with interviews, sign placement, door knocking and public events. He commits to a “what you see in public is who I am” approach to his potential time on council, being a straightforward problem-solver who is prepared to study and tackle the learning curve ahead of him.
“I just hope that everybody does get out and exercise their right to vote,” said Hitchen. “From the public feedback and even the attendance I’ve seen around town, there is an incredible interest in this next municipal government and it is so important to cast your vote and cast your vote for the people that you know in your heart will make a difference.”
Those interested can visit jayhitchen.ca for further detail.
