Michael Moe J. Owen is taking a focused approach to running for mayor of Kingston, concentrating on the "smaller issues" that may get overlooked in mayoral contests.

Included on his list are the spaying and neutering of cats, promoting local farm food, accessibility to commercial establishments and the creation of a library in the city’s north end.

"Since I announced, I’ve had texts and emails and calls from people, contacting me about north-end issues, green space on the waterfront, the arts," Owen said.

Owen knows how things operate at city hall, and how to affect change.

Last year, he was facing charges for putting up illegal posters as part of a search for a neighbour’s missing cat.

His efforts at city hall, aided by city councillors and the current mayor, resulted in a year-long study of the postering bylaw that has yet to be finalized.

"I still want to see it completed — a reworking of the bylaw so private citizens can post within certain parameters," he said.

"In dealing with the city, I felt a need to challenge the bylaw. It was not a criminal act. It was helping a neighbour who couldn’t help herself."

Owen, who works at a downtown family business and was once co-owner of the Sleepless Goat restaurant, grew up in Kingston’s west end but lived for 20 years in the city core.

He is running what he describes as an "almost zero-dollar budget" with a laptop computer and a cellphone. He will put up an election Facebook page this weekend.

"This is all new to me. I’m by no means a politician," he said. "There’s a lot of apathy around politics. I just want people to get involved."

Given his work history, it’s no surprise that part of his election platform is concerned with the issues of the downtown core — empty storefronts, tourism and waterfront renewal.

He would like to see changes to the city’s one-bag limit on weekly garbage collection, which he says is too restrictive for households with extended families or students living together. His solution is to raise the limit to one bag for every two residents in a home.

He said it was "a little shocking" to learn that there is no library in the city’s north end. "All the other libraries are very modern with community programs," he added. "I’d love to see a branch out there."

And Owen would also like to see Kingston follow other Canadian cities that have introduced citywide wireless Internet networks.

"Anybody would have access to it," he said. "In its inception, it would start in the core and move outwards. It’s good for business; it’s good for students. Other communities have done it."

He believes city relations have to improve with Queen’s University, and especially with students.

Too many businesses are not accessible for disabled people, he said, and while he would like to introduce a municipal compliance program, it should be accompanied by a tax break so that smaller businesses can make the necessary renovations.

He would promote a low-cost or free spaying and neutering program "for cats, at least. We don’t have a problem with feral dogs."

Owen is also passionate about hockey and wants to see the sport, with its long history in Kingston, better promoted by the city.

"It doesn’t just need to be at Feb Fest," he said.

A previous council decision he would undo is the naming of Kingston’s historic market square as Springer Market Square.

He would like to see it changed to "Sir John A. First Capital Square" in time for next year’s celebrations for the bicentennial of the birth of Canada’s first prime minister.

"That is public property. The city owns the space," Owen said. "No family has a title to that square. That’s a public square."

Owen hopes his presence in the mayoral campaign will simply encourage people to get involved.

"I believe strongly in community. I’m running because I want to represent less-heard voices," he said. "I want to be an alternate voice. If you don’t vote for me, just vote."

paul.schliesmann@sunmedia.ca