By Greg Nikkel
Issues ranging from economic development, the level of taxes to the state of the city’s infrastructure and transparency were raised at the all candidates forum on Monday evening at the Legion Hall, hosted by the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce, with a capacity crowd on hand to hear the candidates speak.
The full slate of 14 council candidates and two mayoral candidates were on hand for the forum, and due to the large number, the Chamber modified the format to make the best use of the time, having four candidates answer each question in random order. The Chamber posed the first eight questions, then a dozen questions were fielded from the public, and each of the 16 candidates were then given two minutes to speak at the end.
Among the issues raised by the Chamber was a question on whether the city made the best of the last upturn in the economy before the oil prices slumped.
“I believe we did,” replied Dick Michel, pointing to developments in Douglas Heights on South Hill and Riverwood on the former Souris Valley grounds as examples, with some work continuing since the downturn of the economy.
“We need to continue working with the RM in district planning. We have to work together. The Creeks hit some bumps in the road, but let’s leave the past in the past. With compromises on both sides, it can be done,” he said.
“I think the city did a great job of promoting Weyburn. I remember some weeks it was very stressful to keep up. It was nice to have new faces in the city. I can’t say if it was good strategy on the city’s part,” said Jeff Heisler.
Jason Bill noted there are many businesses around that weren’t here when he was growing up, and said, “I believe we can continue to thrive with the right team on council.”
“I don’t believe we did take full advantage of the upturn,” said Marcel Roy. “We had 10 years of wonderful oil prices. I feel the city put up many roadblocks. Yes we have to follow regulations, but at the same time we’re blocking a lot of things from coming in here. … We have to stop these roadblocks and turning businesses away.”
From the audience, Grant Marcotte asked if local contractors are considered when the city puts out tenders for work or for products.
“I believe there is some policies around that, so that local contractors will be looked at, but at the end of the day, we have to look at our dollars and cents and pick who will provide the best service at the best price,” said Jeff Richards.
“I would hope the city would look at locals first, but they have to have the capacity or size to do the project,” said Marcel Roy. “When you start looking at multi-million-dollar projects, do local contractors have the ability to do it?”
Mel Van Betuw said this was a topic “close to my heart”, and noted the City of Weyburn is tied to the Trade West agreement, as are all municipalities in Saskatchewan, but said he wants to do as much as he can to use local contractors.
“I think it’s very important to support local businesses. They employ people who work in Weyburn, but we do have rules we have to follow through national legislation,” said Nancy Styles, adding that any company that bids on a tender has to have the capacity to do the job.
A question was raised from the audience asked why council has discussions on issues behind closed doors.
“I would agree. Council needs more transparency,” said Cam Weber, noting that in 2014 he asked City Hall for a copy of the city’s financial statement, and it took him three or four months to finally get a copy of it. “I would like to see more openness and transparency on council.”
“I believe most of what is done in committee is labour and land related, which we are legislated on. I’ve been questioned whether the city is transparent, and looking from the inside, I feel it is, but we have to inform the public and better communicate with residents,” said Mel Van Betuw.
Debra Button echoed Van Betuw’s statements about the rules on what can or cannot be discussed publicly. “Unfortunately, some things can’t come before the public. Our meetings are on Access and I hope people are watching, and we put our minutes on our website.”
“I feel there should be full transparency. Why do people come to us and say they show so much more of council in Regina?” asked Marcel Roy, adding that other municipalities provide a much better breakdown of where tax dollars go than Weyburn’s council does.
“Instead, here they show a pie chart. You as citizens deserve to know where your tax dollars are going,” he added.
Audience member Fred Sandeski noted the city has been putting up taxes for homeowners a number of times in the last few years, making him feel like he’s penalized for owning a home, and asked, “I’m wondering when will we get a tax break?”
e last number of years,” answered Cam Weber. “One of the taxes I question is the hospital levy, which was put on homeowners, and we had to pay it and not receive a receipt for it. Businesses weren’t required to pay anything, but were encouraged to give donations, for which they would receive a receipt. That’s one of the things I found unfair, so I would look at new taxes and try to give home-owners a break.”
Matthew Caudill felt a tax break is not likely to come when there is an economic downturn, “but we can look at where we spend our tax dollars.”
Tim Hughes said if residents want the services that the city provides, the taxes need to stay where they are at right now. “Hopefully we’re spending responsibly, so you get the services you deserve,” he added.
Laura Morrissette pointed out that in the two years before she came on council, the city had no increase in taxes two years in a row.
“As councillors, we live in the city just like you do, so we do consider the taxes. We have to pay for services. We have a great police force and fire brigade, and we also have snow removal and streets and sidewalks to look after. We have to find fiscally responsible ways to pay for things,” she said.
Former councillor Bill McKenzie noted that the city has been awaiting funding for a water reservoir, and asked if the candidates feel that the provincial government has lost touch with City Hall.
“I do not believe the provincial government has lost touch with City Hall,” answered Winston Bailey, pointing out they have seen cuts in funding the same as the city with the downturn in oil prices.
“We meet with the provincial government several times a year. They have always been open to hearing from us. I think this council will still have that open door to put our issues forward to the provincial government,” he added.
Jason Bill and Brad Wheeler both said they weren’t close enough to City Hall to know how to answer that question, and Wheeler commented, “I think it’s important we continue our work with the government. There’s a lot of communities looking for the same dollars we’re trying to get. We need to be in their faces.”
He added that the city can’t always rely on other sources for funds for projects that the city needs.
“I have worked very close with the right members of government, and I’ve worked very closely with the federal government. I’ve been to their doors to talk to them about what we need,” said Debra Button. “We have excellent relationships not just with the provincial government but with the federal government as well.”
One of the Chamber’s first questions was to ask candidates what their vision is for growth, and their views on development in the city.
“I’m in full support of the city not being in the development business. It’s only been in the last few years we’ve seen other companies doing that. We cannot afford to be doing development work,” said Winston Bailey.
Brad Wheeler agreed, noting the city “is not a developer by trade”, and they need to be dealing with the needs and expectations of developers.
“It’s a matter of the city discussing problems and coming up with what works best for Weyburn,” he added.
“Right now it’s slow,” said Matthew Caudill, who spoke of a need for more affordable family housing in Weyburn.
He said there have been some good developments of apartments and condos, but there is a lack of single-family homes here, and added, “We have a growing population, and we need to look at these things.”
Advance polls will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 22, from 1 to 5 p.m., both days at City Hall.
Election day will be on Wednesday, Oct. 26, with polling stations located at McKenna Hall, Assiniboia Park School, St. Michael School, and for South Hill residents, at Souris School, with voting from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The city is also making available the option of mail-in ballots if a voter cannot make any of the voting days. To make application for this, they need to go to City Hall with a photo ID prior to Oct. 26. Each voter will receive three separate ballots, for mayor, council and the public school board. For council, you can select up to six names, and for mayor just one name.
