PREECEVILLE - The Town of Preeceville mayor position has three candidates looking for residents’ vote on Nov. 13. Advance Polls are Nov. 9. A meet and greet is scheduled for Nov. 7 at the Preeceville Community Hall.
Darin Newton. Newton moved to Preeceville almost 19 years ago to operate Shop Easy. “14 years ago I purchased the store from Loblaws, and I continue to be a hands-on owner/manager. My wife Lori and I have tjhree children, all of which were raised in Preeceville, and we have no plans to leave. Preeceville has always been a friendly, safe community, and I decided a few years ago that I wanted to play a bigger role. I ran for council, and was elected to three consecutive terms. With one year left in my last term, I resigned my position, as I did not want to be associated with a council that did not follow rules, policies, or procedures. This time around, I would like to be your representative that keeps everyone on track. I would hope that, as a team, whoever is elected can all work together towards the betterment of our community. My first focus, as mayor, will be to look again at replacement of our water treatment plant, which is currently one of the oldest operating plants in Saskatchewan. I also want to remind everyone to get out and vote on November 13,” stated Newton.
Michael Doogan is a retired farmer and mill manager who is recently moved into the town of Preeceville. He firmly believes in focusing on finding solutions, rather than dwelling on problems. He also believes the key issue for municipal voters is transparency and accountability. “This encompasses not only the overall vision for our town but also how we communicate these important decisions to the public. I want the next generation to look back and be proud of how our generation of leaders strategies made Preeceville a vibrant forward-looking community to live and work in. Open communication and transparency are crucial to effectively tackle whatever issues arise in our community. No excuses,” concluded Doogan.
Dale Schur says, “I am running for mayor for a number of reasons. The main one is to enforce the nuisance properties that have gotten out of control. Other areas focus on putting an end to dirt bikes, quads and snow machines which need to have a bylaw enforcing the rules. I will also actively seek to get a van and hire a driver to take area residents to doctor appointments in the larger centres. Will also look into getting better policing service and more affordable housing projects for seniors. I will be the voice of reason for my fellow citizens to make this a better place to live,” stated Schur.
There are 11 candidates for the six councillor positions.
Ashley Ward grew-up in Preeceville, lived his whole life in Preeceville and is a family man with two daughters, Adley and Sage. “We have been involved in many aspects of this community. I worked for the town for over 11 years and know what needs to be worked on to make Preeceville move forward so everyone can enjoy a safe and fun community. I will ensure your tax dollars are spent wisely, and where it needs to be spent to improve the town. Another focus is to keep the town’s maintenance equipment up to date for more efficient work instead of downtime and expensive repair work. The water treatment plant, hospital, streets, school along with many town-owned buildings are places that should always be talked about to keep our community thriving and attracting new residents. I look forward to serving Preeceville if elected,” concluded Ward.
Welma Bartel says, “It is with great pleasure that I am once again running for council in the town of Preeceville. I believe that there is lots to achieve in the next four years, both building and maintaining within the Preeceville area. As a mother, wife, daughter and friend, I have lived in Preeceville for the last 20 years, and I see this community as home.
"I see and believe that the following is possible, keep Preeceville affordable, safe and a tourist destination.
"I believe that a combination of keeping the cost of living as low as possible, and fostering an environment of self-sufficiency amongst our ratepayers, will work in our favour to achieve my goal to keep living in Preeceville affordable. Working with taxpayers dollars within a balanced budget, allocating resources effectively, and following a well-designed long-term plan to upkeep the infrastructure that we have in place already, all counts towards the ultimate result of making ends meet.
"The majority of the residents in Preeceville is either age of minority or senior. Maintaining the presence of peacekeepers and funding the emergency agencies that we have available in Preeceville is of utmost importance in keeping the residents and visitors to Preeceville safe. This includes, but is not limited to our medical facilities, police presence and fire department.
"As one of the most beautiful places in Saskatchewan, we act as the gateway to the north. Taking advantage of all the natural resource we have available to us, as well as building on all the structures and facilities that past councils and residents have spent countless hours building, we can continue to put Preeceville on the map as the place to be. This will not only support all businesses in and around Preeceville, but it will also ensure that funding from a provincial and federal level is more readily available to us.
"I have been and am continuing to be involved within the community at various clubs and associations. This includes, but is not limited to Preeceville Fire & Rescue, SPE Family Resource Centre, Preeceville Public Library, Preeceville Club 60, Preeceville Ability Bus Board and Preeceville Town Council,” concluded Bartel.
Stacey Strykowski says, “I am running for council because I enjoy being in public service and serving the people well. I believe in fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability. Too often we see angry people running for council in an attempt to make changes quickly. That is not democracy. A good council knows that no one has any more power than anyone else and that working collectively and collaboratively is the only way to accomplish what we all want – to make Preeceville an even better place to live. I was forced to resign in my last term as a councillor, due to an unethical decision made, after several other decisions that did not follow proper policy or procedures. A council must stand united in the end but I will always choose integrity and therefore, could no longer sit on that council. I remain a vital part of the community hall committee which has fundraised enough money to replace the kitchen, install air conditioning and do several cosmetic upgrades to the building. I am currently on the Chamber of Commerce and vice chair of the health focus group, actively trying to keep vital health services in our community.”
Kenton Hull says, “I have called Preeceville home for the last 20 years, I grew up here in town and am currently raising my family in our wonderful community. One of my goals while running for council is to keep Preeceville going in the right direction so my children will want to raise their families here as well. I started Sky High Tree Services 10 years ago serving and working for the people in Preeceville and surrounding area. I am a hardworking, creative and goal orientated individual, and I feel I can provide a unique and realistic perspective to council. My wife and I have been investing in the community as we have purchased 5 properties that needed a lot of work and we created rental homes for people so there are opportunities for people to move into our wonderful community. I am currently a sitting council member for the community for the last 8 months, and in that short period of time we were able to accomplish a lot for the community such as the new Highway and 3rd Ave Paving projects, replacing the Administration building’s roof which has been leaking for years, preventative water sealing on the rink roof to help stop water leaking, and we took the first steps into building a new water treatment plant so we can ensure the town will have fresh clean drinking water for years to come. I encourage everyone to get out and vote, your voices do matter to ensure Preeceville residents are well represented in council.
Taylor Sliva says, “ I am re-seeking election as a councillor for the Town of Preeceville. I want to see through the projects that have been started within the last year that I have been on council. I pride myself on trying to respect the way that taxpayers money is being spent by council. I want to support a future for our youth population and their sports and to see our community’s business and housing continue to grow. It has made me want to run again to try and assure what we have underway for big projects gets completed and to try and continue to make the correct decisions for our town,” concluded Sliva.
Colin Pasiechnik says, “I'm an equipment operator at highways and infrastructure here in Preeceville. And I'm running for town council because our community deserves better. With 11 candidates vying for six positions, it's crucial to choose someone who will stand up for all taxpayers, not just a select few. While two candidates have walked away and quit when challenges arose when in council last term, I’m committed to tackling the tough issues head-on. I believe in being a voice for every age group in our community. Together, we can create a Preeceville that works for everyone. Let’s make a change that matters. Vote Colin Pasiechnik for town council,” concluded Pasiechnik.
Brian MacDonald says, “First I would like to say Thank you. My beautiful wife Cindy and I chose to move to peaceful Preeceville in 2017 and we are very happy with that choice. Preeceville has been very good to us. Cindy and I| were both fortunate enough to find employment here and that carried us through until we were both able to retire. I had the privilege of serving on the Town Council for about ten months prior to the election of 2020 and learned a great deal about the needs and desires of my fellow citizens. If I am once again granted the privilege to serve I promise one thing, I will serve and act on behalf of all citizens in the community with honesty and integrity and an eye to the future. Thank you for this opportunity,” concluded MacDonald.
Sheldon Luciw says, “I have lived in the area all my life and moved to the Town of Preeceville in 1996.I have been on council for two terms, or eight years and served on most boards and committees over the eight years. There are a few boards I have not had the opportunity to be on.I enjoy the aspects and learning about the politics of the town. And it's good to be a part of the town workings. Also learning the bylaws and how the council has to operate in the sometimes difficult decisions we make. I like to set my personal feelings aside and to make decisions that is beneficial to the town for the town. My focus for the future is to continue to make it a place that people want to come to for job opportunities and for people to retire, and make it their home,” concluded Luciw.
Candidates who were contacted but did not respond were Meaghan Nelson, Ken Stearns and Jared Stefanyshyn.
