Sam Katz

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For the mayoral candidate in Philadelphia, see Sam Katz (Philadelphia).

Samuel (Sam) Michael Katz, OM , BA (born Rehovot, Israel, 1951) is the 42nd mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.[1] He is also an entrepreneur and a member of the Order of Manitoba.

Contents

[edit] Life before mayorship

Katz emigrated to Winnipeg as an infant with his parents, Chaim and Zena Katz, and his older brother David and was raised in North Winnipeg.[2] Shortly after graduating in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the University of Manitoba, he opened a clothing store in Brandon, Manitoba.[2] Throughout his career he continued his entrepreneurial ventures in real estate and entertainment.[2] His entertainment company, Showtime Productions, brought artists such as Tina Turner, the Rolling Stones, and Paul McCartney, and musicals such as Evita and The Phantom of the Opera to Winnipeg.[2][3]

In 1994, he brought professional baseball back to Winnipeg with the Winnipeg Goldeyes, who now play in the Northern League.[3] Through this franchise, he arranged for the construction and success of CanWest Global Ball Park in 1999.[3] Katz was also founder of the Winnipeg Goldeyes Field of Dreams Foundation,[4] an organization that has donated more than a $900,000 to children's charities and non-profit organizations in Manitoba.[5]

[edit] Mayor of Winnipeg

On June 22, 2004, Katz was elected as the first Jewish mayor of Winnipeg.[2] He beat out prominent politicians Dan Vandal, Al Golden, and MaryAnn Mihychuk for the job by receiving 42% of the vote.[6] This came after the resignation of Glen Murray as mayor of Winnipeg to run in the 2004 federal election.[6]

Katz was re-elected to a second term in the 2006 elections on October 25, 2006.[7]

[edit] Mayoral decisions

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Katz cancelled plans for bus rapid transit with a bicycle lane through South Winnipeg, he supported a new suburban neighborhood, Waverley West, and he proposed to make land available for residential development in Assiniboine Park.

[edit] Criticism

After referring to Winnipeg's five female Olympic medal-winners as "beautiful females" whose close-up presence made him "feel like Hugh Hefner",[8] Katz was criticized by a women's studies professor at the University of Manitoba. Reaction from the citizens of Winnipeg was mixed, with some agreeing with the criticism and others disagreeing.[8]

Katz is the target of humour in a song by The Consumer Goods.[9] Their song And the Final Words are Yours, Sam Katz was entered in medium rotation at a number of local radio stations and offers Katz ironic sympathy for the difficulties of running "a city, a business and a baseball team", the use of Malathion for mosquito fogging, and a military training exercise (Operation Charging Bison).[9]

[edit] Honours

In 2002, Katz was presented with the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.[3] In 2004, he was given the province's highest honour, the Order of Manitoba, for demonstrating an ability to improve the social, cultural and economic well being of Manitoba and its residents.[4]

Katz is longlisted for the 2008 World Mayor award.

[edit] Personal life

Sam and his wife Baillie have two daughters together, aged five and one.[10] Katz began divorce proceedings with Baillie Katz on October 26, 2006 — one day after his reelection.[10]

[edit] References

  1. ^ About Sam. Retrieved on 2007-07-01.
  2. ^ a b c d e Bellan, Matt. "Sam Katz, Winnipeg's first Jewish mayor, expressed mixed feelings on election night", The Jewish Post and News. Retrieved on 2007-07-01. 
  3. ^ a b c d Past Recipients of the President's Award. Winnipeg Press Club. Retrieved on 2007-07-01.
  4. ^ a b News Release: Eleven Manitobans to receive Order of Manitoba. Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba (2004-07-15). Retrieved on 2007-07-02.
  5. ^ Winnipeg Goldeyes Field of Dreams Foundation. Retrieved on 2007-07-02.
  6. ^ a b "Katz wins mayoral race", CBC, 2004-06-23. Retrieved on 2007-07-01. 
  7. ^ City of Winnipeg 2006 Election Results 8 (2006-10-26). Retrieved on 2007-07-02.
  8. ^ a b "Winnipeg Mayor ripped for 'Hefner' comment at Olympic tribute", Winnipeg Free Press, 2006-04-12. Retrieved on 2007-07-01. 
  9. ^ a b "Singing on a Prairie tune — Local band gets critical of mayor Katz in new song - then gets it on the radio", Uptown Magazine, 2007-08-16. Retrieved on 2007-11-23. 
  10. ^ a b "Katz in divorce proceedings, day after re-election", CBC, 2006-10-30. Retrieved on 2007-07-02. 

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Glen Murray		 Mayor of Winnipeg, MB
2004-		 Succeeded by
incumbent
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