Miller declares his candidacy for vacant council seat
Rev. Stewart Miller jumped into the civic council byelection fray when he filed the proper nomination papers at Estevan City Hall on Monday morning.
This will be his first attempt at gaining an elected public office, although he has a deep background in serving on several other public committees and agencies.
"I do believe in that adage that if you can, you should," said Miller, who is the pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Estevan.
"I do have management experience, I deal with community budgets all the time and know how to work with limited resources, and I certainly have experience in dealing with the public and being sensitive to their needs," he said.
"Our city might benefit from having a voice from outside the box who is willing to look at issues other than from just doing the math, at the same time, knowing that the math, the budget, is important."
Miller, who served as pastor at Trinity from 1990 to 1999 before transferring to a charge in Calgary, returned to Estevan in the fall of 2011, accepting the opportunity to return from the local congregation.
"I made the choice to come back to Estevan. I believe that says something. I wanted to come back here because I love Estevan. It's more than just about the wealth of this city. There are other things going on that are not about the money but about the people and the lifestyles," Miller said. "At the same time, I know about holding budget lines.
"I came back here intentionally by invitation of Trinity's congregation. I've been in other communities and served large and small congregations in my 27 years as a pastor, so I believe I have a good handle on it."
Miller has been, or is currently, a member of the Estevan Arts Council, the Energy City Film Festival board, Estevan Ministerial Association (chairman); Sun Country Palliative Care Committee and serves as the ministerial liaison for the Estevan emergency measures organization.
During his leisure hours, Miller says he likes to golf, do some woodworking or explore his love of music as a vocalist and musician. Last year he also embarked on a unique experience of completing the full length of the El Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain.
The main catalyst behind his seeking of the vacant council seat, he said is that "I want to ensure that while we grow in this city, we do it in a humane way because people are still the most valuable resource we have here."
The stage is now set for the April 23 byelection that will fill the council seat left vacant with the departure of former councillor Chris Istace. The successful candidate will be required to complete two and a half years of the regular four-year council term.
Knibbs announces bid for vacant council seat
Estevan businessman Trevor Knibbs has announced his plans to seek the vacant seat on city council in the April 23 by-election.
Knibbs is the dealer principal at Power Dodge and has lived in the Energy City for a number of years after moving from his hometown of North Battleford.
In an interview, Monday Knibbs said he feels Estevan is moving in a positive direction at the moment and wants to help continue that trend.
"I think it would be kind of exciting to see what changes are coming and help out in any way I can," Knibbs said. "As a business owner I want the community to do well and anything I can do to help that I think would be important. I definitely think the City should run like a business, and it's a big business. I do know a little bit about running a business so hopefully I can bring some of that knowledge."
As a newcomer to municipal politics, Knibbs said he is excited about the chance to see how the city is run and will not be afraid to ask the tough questions if he's elected.
"I'll find out the answers and do what's best for everyone involved," he said. "I definitely want everything to be thought through and the right questions asked before any decisions are made, not just jump into something.
"I think they have been doing a great job at different things. But I think there are things like the (city's pathway system) that are half done and my question is why is that? Why do we start something and go halfway rather than thinking it through at the beginning and having a game plan and seeing things that you start get finished."
Knibbs said he plans to be active in the days leading up to the April 23 byelection and looks forward to hearing the concerns of residents.
"I don't know how I can complain without being part of the solution. I thought hey, I can always have an opinion but I better put it out there if I am going to."
