Wholesale changes are coming to Battleford Town Hall with the news of the departure of two more longtime council veterans.
Both councillors Garth Walls and Cameron Duncan announced at Monday's council meeting they would not be seeking reelection in the Oct. 24 municipal vote.
With Councillor Bill Halewich also stepping down and another incumbent, Derek Mahon seeking the mayor's chair to be vacated by outgoing Mayor Chris Odishaw, it means at least four vacant seats will need to be filled in the fall election. As of Monday, only Susan McLean-Tady was confirmed as running for reelection.
For six-year veteran Duncan, a permanent move to Aquadeo is the reason for his departure. While he is leaving Battleford council he is not leaving local politics, as Duncan was re-elected to a second term as mayor of Aquadeo during the summer resort village elections.
Duncan said he will miss working with all the people at town hall, but most importantly will miss living in the town.
"It's a tough one not only to leave town, but to leave Battleford," Duncan told reporters, calling the town a beautiful place to live. "I'm going to miss that more than missing council."
As for Walls, he is stepping down after 21 years on council, serving seven terms under three mayors: Gary McArthur, Gail Sack and, for the past six years, Chris Odishaw.
Walls said one of the driving reasons for his involvement in politics was to make it possible for his kids to have more opportunities to obtain jobs in Saskatchewan. Now, after many years of public service, Walls wants more time with his family.
"I'll have more time with my kids," said Walls. "That was the whole point of getting involved in that they would be closer, and they are closer now."
He told reporters he is proud of the changes and the growth he has seen in the town over the past two decades and pointed to the recent twinning of Highway 4 as perhaps the most significant accomplishment.
Walls plans to stay involved in the community and will continue at Battlefords and District Co-op Pharmacy, so by no means is he "retiring," he told reporters. But he says he will miss being actively involved at town hall.
"I will certainly miss the community and the staff - Sheryl (Ballendine), Randy (Redding) and Kevin (Chaykowski) - they do love this community," said Walls.
Mayor Chris Odishaw thanked the outgoing councillors, while also paying tribute to those who had put their hats into the ring.
Donna Lavin, who was not present at the meeting Monday, is also not seeking reelection.
