OUTLOOK - It's election time in the province of Saskatchewan.
Not only were people from all over the Land of Living Skies headed to the polls earlier this week, but residents in towns and villages all over the province will be returning to them in order to cast their vote for assorted mayors and councillors in municipal elections.
When it comes to the Town of Outlook, residents will elect their newest council on Wednesday, November 13. Joining this group of six people will be the town's new mayor, Ryan Husband, who stood unopposed as the nomination deadline passed, while current mayor Maureen Weiterman has chosen to exit local politics after serving as Mayor since 2020.
As the town looks at both a new mayor and an updated council, SaskToday.ca and The Outlook put their heads together and came up with a brief questionnaire that we posed to the seven people vying for a seat on town council. These questions look at both the issues facing our present day and what the future may look like for the riverside community.
Candidate Questions
1. I'm running for Outlook town council because....
2. What past and/or current experience on committees, boards and groups do you have that will prepare you for a council role?
3. What's your vision for Outlook for the next 10-15 years, and how do we get there?
4. What are some key issues that you believe need to be addressed in Outlook right now?
With that, we invite readers to check out the responses from each council candidate.
Candidate: Andy Long
1. I would like to learn what makes our town tick. What can I do to preserve the good, and find the next opportunities.
2. My resume does not include any committees or boards. I am trusting my character speaks for itself.
3. I would like to see steady, planned growth.
4. At current, I do not know of large issues needing to be addressed. We have raised a family in this town and enjoyed every minute of it. I would like to hear the residents' concerns, and determine priorities and game plans.
Candidate: Donna Smith
1. I believe Outlook is a treasure that is continually being re-discovered. We are all responsible to ensure that growth of the Town is encouraged in a responsible way and proceeds in a logical manner. I take this responsibility seriously and want the statement made by CPR Officials “What a wonderful Outlook” to be exclaimed for many years to come. My motto (paraphrased from a quote by Eric Hoffer) is “In times of change, it is the learners who inherit the future. Those who have finished learning find themselves beautifully equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.” I still have much to learn.
2. At the present time, I am a Board Member of MidSask Community Futures Development Corporation, Lake Diefenbaker Tourism, Outlook & District Food Bank and St. Andrew’s United Church. I was a Town of Outlook Councilor for 28 years and was on various committees of Council. While on Town Council, I was involved in the organization of SUMAssure. After a 4-year rest from Town Council, I believe I come with fresh eyes and enthusiasm.
3. Much of my vision for Outlook depends on the development of irrigation on the west side of the South Saskatchewan River and the diversification of the irrigated East side acres. I see the need for more housing/apartments/condominiums in our future. I see more business developments such as Dynamic Autobody taking advantage of the new commercial development area. Getting there will take a combined effort by every Outlook citizen and a lot of help from friends in our neighbouring municipalities. I am aware that the present Council is already looking for partners to develop the Town’s real estate into housing developments and I look forward to encouraging those endeavors. Business development also brings the need for more individuals to fill the positions created by development.
I recently attended a conference where some new to Saskatchewan people spoke. They said they are welcomed but do not necessarily feel included and I want those new to Outlook to feel included too! I am impressed by the way that Bethlehem Lutheran Church cares for the immigrants they have sponsored to Canada. If Bethlehem was willing, Council could encourage other churches or service groups to join forces with them or provide the means for the formation of a larger committee. This would provide additional manpower and the sharing of our individual gifts. To summarize, my vision is for an Outlook that has a robust economy and a community who are friendly, accepting and welcoming.
4. As I sit either in my office or in my home, I am constantly reminded of one of the key issues being addressed right now. The Council has been promised a new surface for the Highway corridor (Saskatchewan Avenue & McKenzie St. S.). I would like to see that process to fruition. Increasing tourism is another important issue. In 2022, tourism contributed nearly $38 billion to Canada’s GDP, generated $94 billion in revenue for businesses and accounted for almost 13% of our service exports. We need to identify what brings visitors to Outlook and partner with these businesses to promote our community.
Candidate: Sharon Bruce
1. I have found my last council years to be both rewarding and challenging. I would like to see the momentum that has started to keep moving forward.
2. At a local level, I have been an active member of the Outlook and District Chamber of Commerce, with many years on the executive board, I spent six years on the Trade Show Committee, four years with Citizen of the Year Committee, and the Committee for Harvest Festival. I was also on the Outlook and District Playschool Committee for four years.
On a professional level, I spent seven years on the Saskatchewan Mutual Insurance Broker Advisory Committee, six years on the Insurance Brokers Rural Advisory Committee and five years on the Registered Deposit Brokers Advisory Committee. In October of 2023 I was named to the General Insurance Council of Saskatchewan.
As a member of the Outlook Town Council from 2020 – 2024, I have spent time on the Museum Board, the Outlook and District Regional Park Board, the Community Development Board, Lake Diefenbaker Tourism Board, the Joint Health Committee, and the Cemetery Board. Our council was also fortunate to be able to take part in governance training that was offered through the University of Regina. I found that to be invaluable to the council experience.
3. I think we are going to see a lot of growth in this area. We need to create a smooth path for development without infringing on the way of life for the existing population.
4. In order for development to occur, we need affordable housing. We have opportunities in Outlook and a significant portion of the work force is commuting from other areas. This can be prohibitive to some industries finding workers. We also have an aging population. Additional seniors housing, including higher levels of care, is desperately needed. It is challenging for some seniors to have to move to larger centres to find that middle level of care.
Candidate: Guy Derdall
1. I believe that if you are part of a community, placing your name on a ballot is something every citizen should do at least once. My family came to the Outlook area in 1902. It has given us so much, and I will try my best to give as much back as I can. I have lived and worked in this area almost my entire life, married and raised our two daughters on the farm, before moving to Outlook in 2008. For 10 years I have been operating Allstar Towing and formerly had an automotive repair shop that has allowed me to speak with almost all the business owners and citizens in our town. I often hear their wants and needs and yes, their criticisms.
2. A. Current board member of the Outlook Museum.
B. Served as a Councilor for the RM of Rudy #284.
C. Former President and current member of the Outlook Stock Car Association.
3. In no particular order:
A. Work at getting our infrastructure and roads repaired and upgraded/updated as fast as financially viable.
B. Eliminating red tape/ bureaucracy and lowering taxes for new and existing housing and businesses.
C. Open new areas and better utilize existing areas for more affordable housing.
D. Work to become a business hub that is more inviting for new businesses while also ensuring our existing businesses stay open, can expand if desired, and remain viable.
E. Make our area more affordable and attractive for keeping doctors and nurses here.
F. Explore options to increase our seniors' care home capacity, so that our loved ones do not have to be moved sometimes hundreds of miles away from their families.
G. Better promote our prime living and tourist location, our own park and recreational facilities, close to the Saskatchewan River, close to Diefenbaker Lake, and close to Saskatoon.
H. Explore ideas to increase our accommodations for guests who visit our town.
I. Utilize our local people and businesses in as many projects as we possibly can.
J. Work with surrounding towns and rural municipalities to find ways to save money and better utilize our combined resources.
K. Make sure already financed and future projects do not snowball in costs or time to completion.
L. Utilize more experienced people when it comes to making equipment purchases and capital investments.
M. Look at new ideas for sports, activities and work for our young people to keep them here and happy.
N. Promote local groups, events, and historical facilities.
O. Have more open mic forums for our community to share their ideas and thoughts.
P. Work to make sure our town, while open and welcoming to everyone, is not actively promoting what could be considered divisive by some members of our community.
Q. Discuss ways to bring more transparency and accountability for oversights and negligence.
R. Hold to account contractors and businesses who promise one thing and deliver another.
S. Better promote our future while also protecting and celebrating our past.
T. Most importantly, become more accountable and open to our taxpayers.
4. My vision in 10-15 years encompasses all the points listed above, that I believe need to be addressed very soon. Without the groundwork starting right here, right now, it’s very hard to forecast what will take place in the next 15 years.
However, I know Outlook has the opportunity to become a much larger and vibrant town while keeping the small-town vibe and security we presently have. The dynamics of the farming industry in the Outlook and surrounding area has changed so radically in the last few decades, with larger, more corporate style farms, more workers, and fewer farm families. I believe, we as a community and as a town council have to attempt to forecast what changes that need to be made to help our community move forward. Changes in infrastructure, roads, education, health care, housing, business, accommodations, and tourism are all going to become much more important in the next decade.
Outlook is a great place to work, live, and raise our families, I will strive to keep this going and hopefully help to make it even better.
Candidate: Kevin Grotheim
1. I think that I can help move this municipality in the right direction, both currently and for the future.
2. My experience for council is currently I am sitting on council and have for the last 6 years. In the past I sat on the Outlook Ice Hawks senior team board, Rec Board, Chamber of Commerce, and most recently on the Mainline Outlook Ice Hawks board as President for the inaugural season.
3. I would like to see the town grow slow and steady, so us as a municipality can keep up with needed infrastructure required, without putting any type of burden on the residents. I believe that growth, when done properly, will be a huge benefit for everyone. I think we will see some great things in the near future with our areas growing irrigation industry.
4. The key issues for me are mainly infrastructure maintenance and expansion. While making sure we take good care in what we have already. Partnerships in this with other municipalities and levels of government are key for a successful community.
Candidate: Tanner Barton
1. Town council needs to have young members to keep the town progressing and I have a lot of ideas and knowledge that I would like to contribute to the town.
2. I am one of the founding members of the Riverbank Rodeo. It’s something I’m really passionate about and have put a lot of work into.
3. My vision for Outlook is a town that has smooth roads on every street, lots of events for the people to enjoy throughout the year, and if possible seeing the sky trail open again.
4. A couple issues that need to be addressed are the state of lots of the roads throughout the town and the way snow removal is done during the winter months.
Council candidate Kyle McLeod was unable to get his answers in before the publication of The Outlook newspaper or the online publishing of this feature article. However, if he provides them before local voters head to the polls, then we ask readers to check out SaskToday.ca to read McLeod's questionnaire.
Election Day in the town of Outlook is Wednesday, November 13.
