Sandra Masters has entered her name into the 2020 municipal election as a mayoral candidate.
A resident of Regina since 1999, Masters currently works for Richardson Agriculture as their manager of credit for the prairie provinces. She has also worked in commercial real estate, banking and financing while raising her four children as a single mother.
She recently resigned from her position of chair on the board of Regina Exhibition Association Limited; she was a member of REAL since 2014. Other volunteer activities include the role of vice president of Hockey Regina and president of the Lakeview Elementary School Parent-Teachers-Association.
Masters enters the race with promises of a bold vision and leadership for the city. She feels she’s the best person to lead the city through the economic downtown and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think more than ever communication, collaboration and work to make hard decisions are needed, and I’ve displayed those characteristics all my life,” she said at her announcement on Wednesday at the Cathedral Social House.
Sandra Masters is the 7th person to throw her name in the race to become mayor of Regina. Friends, family and other supporters are gathered here at Cathedral Social Hall for her official announcement. #Regina #YQR #YQRvotes pic.twitter.com/0tbxBoqtHi
– Moises Canales (@MoisesCanalesJr) September 16, 2020
Those characteristics she noted include being a mother during her university years, having three of her four children at graduation, all while working full-time and volunteering in multiple groups and organizations throughout the community.
Masters believes Regina needs a clear vision and plan now more than ever with new ideas and innovative thinking. She feels a lack of direction has been holding the city back for a number of years now.
“I think it’s a lack of understanding who it is we want to be,” she told reporters during her event. “We need to define that, move towards it and spend with intention to get us there.”
She has set out four key policies that she said would create a better, stronger Regina:
Strong support for the Regina Police Service. This will make Regina a safer community with a focus on proactive policing, harm reduction, and improved community relations;
Maximum value when investing tax dollars back into the community. Expect improved accountability and predictability of city budgets through improved community consultation and business-like strategic planning practices;
Building a vibrant downtown Regina. Employing the strength of both public and private investment into the area; and
Driving new economic development. Bringing companies and organizations to Regina by creating new and innovative businesses growth and investment opportunities.
“I love this city and it feels like we are standing still,” added Masters. “Given a lifetime of volunteer work and commitment to the community, I feel compelled to put my name forward in order to be part of what Regina looks like in the future.”
Masters joins other mayoral candidates, including current Mayor Michael Fougere, Councillor Jerry Flegel, Jim Elliott, Tony Fiacco, George Wooldridge, and Mitchell Howse. Darren Bradley has also announced his intention to run.
Reginans will cast their votes on November 9 for the city’s mayor and city councillors.
(With files from Moises Canales)
