From left to right: Don Atchison, Tom Wolf, and Clay Mazurkewich.

Saskatoon’s 2012 three-way mayoral race features a knowledgeable newcomer, an experienced incumbent and a relative unknown, each with their own vision of what makes a good mayor.

A love for Saskatoon and a passion to see it flourish led newcomer Tom Wolf to enter the mayoral race.

“I’m just really passionate about Saskatoon,” Wolf said. “I really love the city.”

Wolf does not feel that he is at a disadvantage, despite having no experience in city hall. He has been running a high-profile campaign and knows that he must work hard to become as recognizable as incumbent mayor Don Atchison.

Wolf, a researcher and policy analyst for Agriculture Canada, sees himself providing a fresh perspective and new tools to shape Saskatoon’s future.

Wolf’s platform includes directing Saskatoon’s sprawling growth to become more compact, strong support for the construction of a North end commuter bridge and a 10-year plan to end homelessness.

“The really important thing… is what kinds of approaches people like me can bring to a city,” Wolf said. “Love of knowledge, love of innovation, love of creativity. In a city, those are really awesome tools to have.”

Atchison, like Wolf, credits his love of Saskatoon as his reason for entering the mayoral race yet again.

“When you boil right down to the end, it’s about having a passion and love for the community,” Atchison said.

Atchison is returning for his fourth run for mayor since his election in 2003 after serving nine years as a city councillor. If re-elected, Atchison will become the longest serving mayor in Saskatoon’s history.

He asks for the citizens of Saskatoon to look at the success and growth the city has had during his terms as mayor and to consider this as they decide the kind of leadership they want to guide their city.

“I think they need someone who has the experience and the knowledge and knows how to get us to where we need to be.”

Saskatoon is going through its fastest growth period in history and Atchison believes a seasoned mayor who can keep pace with the city’s growth would be most useful to the city.

“It’s one thing to say you want to be the mayor but to have to learn on the job,” Atchison said. “I don’t think that is what the people of Saskatoon require at this time.”

Atchison’s campaign platform is based on continued support for projects that he has previously endorsed such as a new police station, continuation of affordable housing projects and continuing the strong and unique partnership that the city has with the university.

Already well known for his many public appearances, Atchison’s campaign strategy has been to “work hard and just get out and talk to the people.”

Similar to Atchison’s campaign strategy, Clay Mazurkewich — who was the last candidate to enter the mayoral race — has been relying on word of mouth to spread his platform.

Described as a single-issue candidate, Mazurkewich began his campaign by promising to lower rent.

Mazurkewich, whose platform was outlined in the StarPhoenix in late September, will be donating 25 per cent of his salary to a charity for each of the three years of the term, beginning with the Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan, followed by Saskatoon Home Care and then the Ronald McDonald House.

“I am a person who is willing to give back to our community, as it should be,” his platform reads.

Saskatoon’s mayoral election will take place Oct. 24.

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Photos: Raisa Pezderic/The Sheaf & Global Saskatoon