Mayor Tolley Gracious After Re-Election Loss

By Robert Thomas

“Obviously this is the end of my term as mayor. I wanted to thank all of those people who voted for me. Thank all of the people I work with daily here at the City of Moose Jaw and Council I worked together with,” outgoing Mayor Clive Tolley said in a post election news conference.

Tolley had just finished a distant third to James Murdock who is set this Monday evening to be sworn in as Moose Jaw’s 42nd mayor.

Mayor Tolley thanked all of 29 candidates who put their names forward to seek election for either mayor or a councillor.

Mayor elect James Murdock (left) shakes hands with outgoing Mayor Clive Tolley - MJ Independent photo

“A total of 29 people in our community stepped forward and said they wanted to be part of the solution and serve the citizens of Moose Jaw,” he said.

Mayor Tolley - who was first elected in a byelection with the departure of former Mayor Fraser Tolmie to federal politics - said he was proud of his term as mayor.

“My good friend told me on the phone today if you happen to win be humble if happen to lose be gracious,” he said.

Mayor Tolley congratulated Mayor elect Murdock and the new councillors on their win but said “you are going to hit the ground running because budget discussions start in a couple of days and I got to be happy that I’m not participating on the discussions and pass along a tax increase to the citizens of Moose Jaw.”

Outgoing Mayor Clive Tolley speaks at the after results news conference - MJ Independent photo

Asked what was his most rewarding thing in the past three years by MJ Independent Mayor Tolley said it was pride in representing the community.

“I felt pride in representing our community at a provincial and a national level. When you go to provincial and national meetings …Moose Jaw is always centered out as the most notorious city. So there is some pride in representing the people of Moose Jaw. I enjoyed that role and that part of it,” he replied.

Mayor Tolley said he was on to other things but wasn’t specific on what his future plans were.