We've reached the halfway mark for the current members of Moose Jaw City Council and what a two years it's been. There has been no shortage of controversy or pressure when it comes to keeping the ship afloat.

Councillor Dawn Luhning is a veteran at the big desk downtown and agrees that it's been a difficult first half.

"It's been a tough couple of years and there have been issues, just on some of the committees that I've been on and then what this council dealt with over the last little bit with the (Downtown Facility and Fieldhouse) has been difficult for sure," said Luhning. "It was something that needed to be handled and I think we dealt with it in the proper manner."

On the other hand, Luhning is pleased with the amount of construction work the city has been able to accomplish and points to the re-opening of High Street as a major plus. That project involved cast iron water main replacement and new service connections to homes and businesses but the contractor failed to meet their responsibilities, were removed from the project after the road was voted as the worst in the province and then the city stepped in.

It's hard to argue that there hasn't been a lot of negativity associated with the city in the last few years. The civic election sparked emotions around the funding model for cast iron replacement, ongoing payment and billing issues with residents taking part in the cast iron replacement, the investigation at the DFFH and failure to get the protein plant underway at the new south industrial park, just to name a few.

So what needs to happen during their second term to see Moose Jaw flourish? Luhning says we need new businesses and jobs.

"I really don't think that council is involved enough in economic development and really trying to determine what is going to be the best way to attract businesses and get people to live and work in Moose Jaw."