Coun. Dennis Ogrodnick has represented Ward 5 for the last eight years, but this term on council will be his last.
At Monday’s council meeting, Ogrodnick announced he would not seek a third term in office. He said stepping down wasn’t something he wanted to do, but felt it was best for his physical and mental health.
“It’s a very difficult decision,” he said afterwards. “As I said (during the meeting), it’s with mixed emotions that I announced this today, but I need to take some time to take care of myself.
“As I said, I’m going to miss the work. I really enjoy the work. I really enjoy being the voice of Ward 5. I think I’ve done that. I’m very proud of all the things we accomplished in Ward 5, and in the city.”
Ogrodnick is currently undergoing treatment for cancer, but said mental health concerns also led to his decision. He said there is a lot of negativity in Prince Albert, and that’s made the job “very taxing.”
He also said a group of Prince Albert residents were spreading lies about council, and he was tired of dealing with them.
“I just decided, you know what? I’ll do something a lot easier, which is subbing, going back to becoming a substitute teacher,” he said. “That’s a lot easier that being a councillor.”
When asked what specific lies he was concerned about, Ogrodnick said there was misinformation about what wages councillors received, what responsibilities they had, and accusations about backroom dealings, all of which he argued are not true.
“It’s so negative … and I fight back,” he said. “I don’t sit back and stay silent, and it takes its toll on you. I wish that element wasn’t there, and it’s there.
“It’s been very negative with some people, and until those people are silenced or put in their place, I’ll step aside,” he added.
Ogrodnick said he plans to step away for the next four years, but hasn’t ruled out returning to politics in the future. During his remarks to council, he said he was interested in running in Ward 5 again, or perhaps as an MLA, school board trustee, or mayor. He even joked that he might run for Prime Minister.
Ogrodnick also pledged to remain vocal about two issues he’s concerned about. The first is the lack of free parking for patients at Victoria Hospital, something they used to receive under the old Prince Albert Parkland Regional Health Authority. The second is the financial wellbeing of Prince Albert’s seniors care homes.
Beyond that, Ogrodnick said he plans to do some teaching, and recuperate.
“It’s time for me to take a break to enjoy semi-retirement,” he said.
Ogrodnick was first elected in 2016, when he defeated incumbent Tim Scharkowski and business owner Chad Mogg for the Ward 5 seat. He was then re-elected in 2020.
Ward 4 Coun. Don Cody has also confirmed he will not seek re-election this fall. Couns. Dawn Kilmer, Blake Edwards, and Tony Head have all announced plans to seek re-election.
Brent Zbaraschuk in Ward 4 is the only new candidate who has announced his intention to run.
