Qualified voters in North Battleford go to the polls April 16 to elect a representative to council.
The three candidates on the ballot are Ron Crush, Kelli Saemann and Thomas Schwab.
What follows is information supplied by each candidate.
Ron Crush
Ron Crush your Candidate for April 16.
Experienced, dedicated, committed.
Experience: I've participated on many local boards and committees since the early 1990s with time then on the City's Parks and Recreation Board, its Development Appeals Board and most recently as your past councillor, giving me a long and broad perspective of the requirements/needs of our city.
Dedicated: In the capacity of councillor I served on eight boards or committees outside of council, missing only one regular council meeting in three years.
Committed: The city is rich with opportunities requiring continued strategic planning to move forward. The city requires an asset management program/plan as our infrastructure will not sustain itself on maintenance alone. Taxes and safety are key issues requiring a voice to assure continued evaluation and attention, most importantly change. I'm committed to all matters city!
North Battleford has been home for more than 30 years, where I've raised my two children, Regan and Courtney. I am a civil engineering technologist working as supervisor with the Water Security Agency. I bring strong technical skills and work directly with legislative statutes applicable to our city. I'm confident that I bring the qualities and values, which you deserve, to represent you on April 16.
Kelli Saemann
I believe that for a council to be truly effective, it should accurately reflect and represent the demographics it serves. I would like to be elected to work on our city council to bring into consideration the perspective and priorities of young people and families when decisions impacting our city - our future - are being made. I would like to help serve as a channel for young people and families of our city to have their ideas and opinions brought forth within the council. I want North Battleford to be a city that people want to visit, live and stay, and I want to help achieve and maintain that.
I am an LPN in the operating room at Battlefords Union Hospital. I am active in the CUPE 5111 local, and studied commerce for two years before going into nursing. I have been a resident of the Battlefords for seven years, and see a much longer future here. I am prepared to put the effort into making the best possible decisions on council, to ask questions, to investigate topics and give a well-rounded and researched opinion. I offer you no experience in politics, but what I can offer you is a passion to do and offer my best to all citizens of North Battleford, and that is why I would appreciate your vote on April 16.
Thomas Schwab
I was born in North Battleford and I have lived in the Battlefords all my life. I am currently employed at North Battleford Super 8.
I have served with the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves and am a member of the Knights of Columbus, Battleford 2000 Lions and WDM Volunteers Association. I serve on the provincial board of Multiple Sclerosis Society and volunteer with Revenue Canada Volunteer program to help seniors file income tax returns. I am the current president of the Battlefords Hotel Association.
Previously I was a member of the legion, St. John Ambulance, helped the Canadian Cancer Society, the Forresters, the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.
I am running for council to try to keep taxes lower, to push to have pigeon lane and hotel cleaned up (clean up downtown), to push for a long-term home for the Battlefords Agriculture Society and be the voice of the residents on council.
I will also work to continue to fix infrastructure and to reduce crime.
