One morning in December Liz Brass woke up and said to herself - "I have to do this."

But it wasn't until nearly six months later on May 31 that Brass, 44, announced she was running for mayor of Regina in the Oct. 24 civic election.

Although Brass had been approached by friends about the idea of running for mayor, she started giving the matter serious consideration after attending a Design Regina public forum last fall.

"Everyone was sitting around a table looking at a map and saying, 'How can we improve on certain areas of the city,'" Brass explained. "It was just exciting to see and you could see the hope in people's eyes but they were skeptical."

On that December morning, it was the image of the people at that forum that inspired her to run. Still, Brass admits it wasn't an easy decision with family and work to consider.

Born in Regina, Brass has lived in Ward 3 for 23 years. In 2010, she graduated with a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Regina and currently works as a psychologist for Child and Youth Services in the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region. She is also vice-president of Brass Homes Ltd., a business she co-founded with her husband.

Brass is focusing her campaign on several issues, including the need for sustainable growth, traffic congestion, attainable housing and complete neighbourhoods. She would also like to establish a city of Regina Mayor's Office Film Commission and improve services for immigrant cultures and the aboriginal community. With respect to the latter, she proposes to establish an aboriginal advisory council.

While door-knocking in the community, she has heard some common concerns from residents, namely the lack of consultation with the stadium project and taxes.

"They are worried. They are very uneasy about what we're getting into," she said, referring to the stadium project. "They're also very concerned about their taxes and how much they can afford and how much things are going to cost in the future."

Brass supports a new stadium and believes the city can build one with a roof at a lower cost than previously estimated. However, she doesn't support the current funding proposal between the city, the province and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Instead, she wants to explore creative ways to garner private investment and donations, including more lucrative stadium naming rights from companies such as Telus.

Brass also said there may be an option to build the stadium in another location, although she wouldn't reveal where that would be at this time.

As a potential mayor, she describes herself as ethical and transparent as well as someone willing to engage citizens on policy matters.

"It's not just council who makes the decisions and gathers the information. I think that we have a lot of smart people in the city who can contribute ... They offer a lot, and I think if you respect your citizens they will come to you," she said.

"I will listen and I will act. There are bureaucratic wheels that are turning slowly now. I'll get them turning."

tmceachern @leaderpost.com

LIZ BRASS'S TOP THREE ISSUES

? Find innovative ways to generate revenue to pay for infrastructure.

? Collaborate with the private sector, community, citizens and governments for small and large-scale projects.

? Attainable housing with equal opportunity.