David Faurschou

October's municipal election will see a race for the Portage la Prairie mayor's office. Former MLA David Faurschou's announced he'll challenge incumbent Earl Porter. Faurschou says there are a number of issues in Portage that have direct links to the provincial government.

"The re-tasking of the Manitoba Developmental Centre, with 600-plus jobs at stake here. Also looking at a vacant jail house at the present time, and an aging court house. We also have to look at some of the aging infrastructure here in Portage la Prairie, such as Saskatchewan Avenue, Provincial Road 240 need to be upgraded."

Faurschou's confident the 28 years he spent on School Board and as MLA will have an impact on the city.

"My familiarity with the workings of the provincial government, as well as the personnel within the various departments, including the ministers, they know that I'm not there to play politics, I represent Portage la Prairie, and I'm there to those that have elected me."

He says the next few months will be spent listening to Portagers' concerns.

"You want to fully appreciate and understand the issues that are at play, and I believe that there are significant issues, and persons are voicing their concerns, and I want to take those issues to City Hall and hopefully working as a team with the newly-elected council, we'll be able to address each and every one of them."

The election is October 22nd.