Housing, city growth main issues at byelection forum

Five candidates for the city council byelection discussed how they would handle future city growth, and issues such as housing and the need for a new hospital, during the All-Candidates Forum held by the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday night.

The byelection takes place on Wednesday, May 18, with all eligible voters heading to the poll at the Weyburn Junior High. One candidate will be chosen to fill an empty spot on council, previously filled by Dave Craigen. Running for candidacy are Cameron Weber, Winston Bailey, Cory Harkness, Melanie Sorensen and Andrew Kerr.

Questions from the Chamber of Commerce started the forum, keying on issues that have arisen due to a growing population. Candidates shared their vision for Weyburn in five years, and how they would address housing concerns and be an advocate for business investments.

"Currently, the southeast region is booming and we need to be ready for that, and housing is an issue that will have to be addressed for years to come as we continue to grow," stated Harkness. "The city can't have no lots available, and we have to ask if the city is a lot developer, or we should look at hiring other developers to improve housing."

"Secondly, the city needs to concern themselves with making the business environment appealing for those businesses to come," said Harkness. "There are tax incentives in place right now, but I want to know if they are marketed properly."

"Not only new businesses should know about tax incentives, but also existing businesses should know what items are there if they want to upgrade or improve their businesses," added Harkness. "These new and existing businesses will create new jobs, which are the lifeblood of any community."

"The city in five years will be very similar to what we are seeing now, and it will continue to fluctuate and grow, and we have to deal with these issues," said Sorensen. "I do see a city where all families can be very settled, and have a bright and hopeful perspective to the future."

"In addition to requiring new housing for incoming families, we are also going to see more need for green spaces. There are a number of issues that we need to address as the city grows."

"Every community needs a strong business core in order to continue to thrive and survive," said Sorensen. "We need to have businesses that are different than what is already here, and find ways to seek new opportunities for services that aren't already provided in Weyburn. We need to provide companies looking to come to Weyburn with guaranteed tax incentives, so they know what they are getting before they make a decision to come here."

"In the next five years in the city, we need to build our new hospital to get the growth to come, because what we have now is inadequate," said Bailey. "I think that building 50 plus new homes a year is a stretch of any imagination for Weyburn, and when we do this we will see new retail stores."

"I see opportunities in every aspect of the growth of our city, especially for business development. Being ready as a city is essential, and we need a positive frame of mind," said Bailey. "We have seen people turned away because there was no place to put them. We don't have infrastructure in right now to accommodate some properties."

"We need to promote Weyburn as a place to invest, and we have lots of land. We also have the highway, the railroad, and direct access to and from the States," said Bailey. "The future looks positive for Weyburn."

"I have been working with the housing advisory committee, and they are working on a needs demand assessment advisory. According to that, the city needs at least 250 lots a year to keep up with the growth, and we can only produce 70 lots," explained Weber. "So obviously we are going to have to get developers in to develop new housing and business areas in the city."

"Traffic needs in the city also have to be addressed, especially at the proposed four-way stop at the Zippy Mart. We are going to have to build turning lanes to accommodate the four-way stop."

"One of the things that has frustrated me about new business coming to Weyburn is all the red tape they have to go through, and we need to get rid of some of these restrictions," stated Weber. "We also need to provide incentives to the types of businesses that we most need in Weyburn, and get out and promote these incentives."

"Weyburn is growing at an amazing rate, and there is a few things that we are already doing such as offering incentive rates for infill lots. We need to keep our downtown vibrant with new families, and ranges of income," explained Kerr. "We need to be preparing new lots faster than we already are, and work at the full potential as a city."

"One of the things that we need for housing in Weyburn is multi-family dwellings, and we need to encourage more of that."

"Marketing Weyburn is a big point (to attracting businesses). We need to let potential businesses what Weyburn has to offer," said Kerr. "We need to advertise the incentives that exist to businesses, and encourage businesses to expand here."

Candidates also shared their thoughts on improving the partnership between city council and the RM of Weyburn. Working with the RM neighbours, and keeping a close relationships was agreed as important by all of the candidates.

Bailey and Harkness touched on developing a revenue sharing program between the city and the RM; and Weber brought up the importance of reaching an agreement on sharing city water.

Candidates agreed that the Weyburn and District Planning Commission was a good start for both levels of government to be work together on future plans.

From the open microphone part of the forum, a question was posed on the candidate's vision for arts and culture for the city. Weber wanted to see the arts supported and advertised better, and better support for facilities.

Kerr agreed that money is needed to support the Museum and Signal Hill Art Centre, but noted that the cost-efficiency of these facilities needed to be addressed appropriately. Sorensen also noted that funding to the arts is based off usage, and stressed the importance of increasing usage to encourage a strong arts community.

Harkness noted that the arts is a necessary part of the community and there is a need for them, and he stressed having the right councillor for the committee. Bailey suggested that the arts community need to come to the city with a long-term plan for the arts, and present an unified position for future planning.