Candidates in the 2014 North Battleford byelection had a chance to meet the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce Tuesday night.
Council candidates Ron Crush and Kelli Saemann made presentations to the board of directors at that monthly meeting. The third candidate in the race, Tom Schwab, was unable to attend and sent his regrets.
Both Crush and Saemann made familiar pitches as they put forward the reasons they should be elected.
Crush, who had served on council from 2009 to 2012, spoke about some of the accomplishments of his time in office, pointing to initiatives such as the Credit Union CUplex and housing and assisted living projects as examples.
Crush also pointed to his experience in issues related to water and sewer. He said he has identified Water Treatment Plant No. 1 as being located in a one-in-500 flood plain, putting it at odds with provincial regulations.
"So how is that going to affect us into the future? It creates a bit of a liability for us if we don't take action to protect it or replace it, look at other options," said Crush.
Saemann, a licensed practical nurse at Battlefords Union Hospital and the youngest candidate in the race, saw tourism and recreation as priorities and expressed support for downtown revitalization and the move to curbside recycling. She also supports community safety efforts, saying she believes the city has "made a lot of strides" in that area.
She cited the need to have more of a youth perspective on city council.
"I think it's a really good time for someone young like myself to get involved in city council," said Saemann.
"I'm eager to learn, I'm ready to learn, I'm ready to put in the work and I'm here for a long time."
The byelection is to be held April 16.
