It's election day today.The Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce held a Municipal Election Forum on October 16 at the Humboldt Uniplex to give people a look at the candidates a week before voting. Only two of the candidates were unable to be at the event, Linda Mattock and Larry Sunderland, but sent their responses to the questions given to the candidates beforehand to be read on their behalf. The first topic discussed was how to keep Humboldt growing. "Humboldt needs to continue growing positive relationships with other centres in the industrial sector," said Mattock's statement. "As a city, we need to capitalize on that interest with an aggressive marketing plan that targets new business, services and potential new residents to Humboldt ." Owen Hopfner explained he would continue to work with the rest of the city team to manage the current growth while being open to new opportunities. Sunderland had a similar plan to Hopfner. "I would try to maintain taxes at the current level, long-term infrastructure to complete as soon as possible and as finances allow, give attention to back alleys, government housing for seniors and low-income families," said Thorsteinson on his behalf. Continuing with a similar topic, how to keep Humboldt a competitive location for investment, the candidates all had very similar ideas. "I would develop a business action plan," said Roger Nordick. He explained the plan would give clear direction for business, social and environmental development in the city. Sandy Weyland stated providing a subsidy for small business owners in the city might help attract more people to the city. "(The city should) provide good services so businesses and people want to move here," said Weyland. "The more amenities we have and the more services we offer will make more people live, work and invest here." Larry Jorgenson agreed with his fellow candidates but added the city needs to pay attention to other communities of a similar size. "In order to be competitive we need to understand our competition," said Jorgenson. "We should strive to be competitive with other communities while at the same time making sure we can afford it." He said if an investor islooking to invest in Humboldt but chooses a different community instead, they should understand why and learn from it. Jorgenson also mentioned that the city needs to come up with ways to give Humboldt youth opportunities to learn business skills. All the candidates agreed that affordable housing is important in the city. "I looked online and only saw 13 rental properties available," said Marc Dredhart. "This limits bringing in new people and families to the area." He proposes discussing with investors new business opportunities and becoming more in tune with what is required in the city."We need to look at developing a subdivision plan with a better review of what is happening," said Dredhart. Francis Kunz would also like to look at what the city needs, but would like to go right to the source. "I would talk to the investors and contractors that are putting their money into growing Humboldt," said Kunz. He would like to have a very hands-on approach to council, going out to the people in the community to hear their concerns and then do research."I would research what is happening in other cities, hear the pros and cons, then find a proper area in our city that would fit into our community" for certain types of housing, said Kunz. Leon Fleischhacker, who has been on council for two terms, said he would like to continue what they have already been working on. "We have 80 to 100 acres of land ready to be developed," said Fleischhacker. He also thinks there are other opportunities for low-income housing in the city. "We need to talk to the owner of the trailer park in Humboldt," said Fleischhacker. "I believe there is an opportunity there for housing." He explained private developers have made a major investment in the city and they will be ready to build whatever the market calls for. "I am in favour of all types of housing in the city," said Fleischhacker. With all the new people moving to the area, citizens were also concerned with the shortage of labour. "There is an opportunity to work with the provincal government to address this concern," said Mattock."The city should partner with industry and other businesses in the region who have worked on this issue for some time." She explained the other businesses have been successful in working with immigration and other agencies to bring labour, but in order to attract them, the city offer competitive wages. "It will be difficult if not impossible to match mining," said Mattock. "In that case, we need to sell the positive lifestyle that is available to (citizens) choosing to call Humboldt home. It's not always about money." Kenton Flavel agreed with Mattock. "I would support working with local and provincial organizations and levels of government," said Flavel. He would also like to see the city promote the post-secondary institutions in the community. If more people went through college in Humboldt for skilled trades, they may be more likely to stay in the community. Rob Muench was also in agreement. "We need to keep Humboldt an attractive place to live," said Muench. He doesn't think immigrants always have to come from different continents and suggested looking south to the United States for workers. "(We) always hear about the unemployment rates (there)," said Muench. "I think we should be pursuing and looking for workers from (the United States) as well." He would also like to promote a locate to Humboldt campaign to run in other communities, including larger cities like Saskatoon and Regina. Another concern that has plagued the city for years is the aging infrastructure. Each candidate would like to come up with new ideas to help upgrade the infrastructure. Kunz believes the city needs to be more transparent and make sure they are spending the money for what it was earmarked. Nordick feels the city's water and sewer replacement plan ,which is based on a comprehensive study of the city's needs, should be a long-term plan. To help keep the roads in good condition, work with the Department of Highways to maintain the city's current truck route or develop a bypass around the city, suggested Hopfner. Fleischhacker explained the city has been working on a five- to 10-year replacement program, but the problem is the cost of replacement. "We need to find ways to cut infrastructure costs," said Fleischhacker. One of his ideas is to work with new technology through Communities of Tomorrow. With all the replacements of infrastructure and the growth of the city, the products must be supplied to the city and citizens would like to see a shop-local policy in place. "It is important to shop local within some parameters," said Weyland. She explained she would support a policy, as long as the local businesses would stay competitive and not charge more if they are the only business that offers a service in the city. The other nominees agreed with Weyland. Another concern was if the candidates have any ideas for funding promises they have made. All the candidates said they did not make promises that were unreasonable or were not already being considered by the current council. They all agreed the city has to be fiscally responsible. "I am here to make the city a better place to live and listen to your needs and help attract more businesses to area," said Dredhart. "It is not my agenda to push any agenda which is not affordable to the people of Humboldt," said Jorgenson. "The priorities must be balanced with taxation and needs and wants of city," said Mattock.
For more updates, please check the Elections 2012 tab under News.
