Former broadcaster wants to show Medicine Hat off to the world as member of city council.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
Jay Hitchen wants a chance to show the world how wonderful Medicine Hat is as a new member of city council.
Hitchen began his broadcasting career in 1979 in a small town in southeastern Saskatchewan. After working his way up and with several other moves, Hitchen, along with his wife and two sons, moved to Medicine Hat in 1990 where he joined the management team at what was 1270 CHAT. Hitchen was very involved with the community and many different events.
“We did a lot of wonderful things in radio, especially in Medicine Hat,” said Hitchen.
After completing his broadcast career, Hitchen and a friend took over the Cheesecake Cafe in 2014. They ran it for about six years before Hitchen retired in the spring of 2020.
Hitchen says Medicine Hat has the reputation of being a “forgotten corner” and hopes to change that. He wants to help grow the population and retain young people who generally leave the city.
“I think there’s an opportunity now where more people are working from home. They’re looking for these beautiful little settings, like we have here, where they can set up shop.”
Hitchen says it’s time to make things happen, but knows that solutions to problems won’t be easy.
“It’s going to be important for the next council to focus on priorities and actually try and get something done,” Hitchen said. “That’s going to be a difficult process.”
Hitchen believes that his experiences within the community make him an ideal candidate.
“I’ve been in Medicine Hat for a long time, and I’ve worked with the city through my job in communications. That gave me real insight into how things work,” said Hitchen. “Communication is obviously where my biggest strength lies, I believe that my background gives me a unique position. Plus, I’ve been responsible for dealing with large budgets and a large staff.”
“I’ve been in this community for so long and been a part of so many things,” Hitchen said. “I really think that it’s time for me to quit relying on other people to make to make it the great community it is and actually chip in and help out.”
