DENARE BEACH VOTES
Eight people have put their names forward for Denare Beach village council. The Reminder has sent each of those candidates a list of 11 questions with specific rules and structures, designed to show the public their stances on several local subjects.
Each candidate was tasked with providing answers of 60 words or less - answers far over that count have been cut off, as per the agreed upon rules. Answers have been edited for spelling, grammar and Canadian Press style, but the content of each answer is as the candidate submitted it.
The following answers solely represent the views of the candidates - they do not reflect the views of The Reminder.
JEAN CHAMPAGNE
1. Why are you running for council? What are your qualifications? Do you have experience with public office?
As a retired emergency manager, planning disaster mitigation for communities and assisting during events and recovery, I bring these skills to Denare Beach. Security and safety within the confines of fiscal and personnel realities is my personal strength and interest.
2. What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community?
A family connection to the broader tri-community drew us here to spend the rest of our lives. I am passionate about local development, particularly to strengthen youth and seniors and to improve our health service challenges. There are issues that rise to the surface as needing continuous attention and lobbying.
3. What would you wish to address with local government if elected?
In addition to border health challenges-access, transportation, specialty services is the threat to our border-community employment. Having a cross-border jurisdictional response is critical. It is incumbent upon us in SK to lobby our government to participate with MB in seeking employment sustainability.
4. What are your policies on local finances and taxation?
Our budget is largely dependent on provincial money. Together with the 25 per cent we receive from local taxes, our current council, of which I am an incumbent, has been able to manage fiscally such that our services have remained stable. Our recreation and infrastructure needs have been met and we foresee that future plans are achievable.
5. What do you believe should be the local government’s priorities on infrastructure?
As an incumbent, I can say our management has us in pretty solid position. We have top efficient sewer and water. We have plans to redirect one of our sewer lines to improve functionality and will continue to support these programs with efficient and well-trained public works.
6. Hudbay is currently planning to shut down most of its operations within Flin Flon within the next two years. As a candidate, how does this affect your platform and what plan do you have regarding the Hudbay closure?
Presently, I sit on a tri-community committee that has an MOU to consider ideas for long-term employment and viability in the region. It will be important for us to ensure Hudbay will meet their current and future environmental obligations prior and after shut down.
7. What is your plan for Denare Beach’s future?
I would like to see us promote tourism and as an affordable, safe and vibrant place to raise a family, and seniors to retire.
8. How do you plan on working with nearby communities and councils?
I believe in collaboration. The process of working together with our three very integrated communities can lead our whole to be greater than the sum of its parts. We can find agreed on goals and targets we can pool resources, minimize expenses and promote and improve our region.
9. What are your thoughts on your opponents?
I respect that all of my opponents have similarly put themselves out there to run for public office. I trust that the population will pick the best mix to serve this community for the next four years.
10. In 25 words or less - what is your elevator pitch for undecided voters?
As your incumbent councillor, I will continue to ensure quality emergency preparedness and to address health services challenges related to access and transportation.
11. What question do you wish we would have asked?
A question that comes to mind is “what attracted you to Denare Beach”? Or what is it you like most about living in this community?
Another question would be “as a border community what improvements would you lobby your provincial government for to improve quality of life at Denare Beach”?
KAREN THOMSON
1. Why are you running for council? What are your qualifications? Do you have experience with public office?
Twenty years ago, the mayor of Denare Beach as to how Village council was doing or not doing things in the community. His response was to suggest that I put my money where my mouth was. That was the year 2000 and an election year, so I decided to run for council. I was a successful candidate and the rest is history as they say…
(note: this answer was well over the word limit and has been cut down)
2. What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community?
In my opinion, the biggest issue facing our community is the downsizing of Hudbay and its impact on the Denare Beach, Creighton and Flin Flon economies. Lost jobs will result in lost incomes which potentially will have a detrimental impact to our community. Operating grants received by municipalities are calculated on a percapita basis and our ability to provide services to the community will be negatively affected.
3. What would you wish to address with local government if elected?
If elected I would like to address with local council existing border issues and the continuing discussions with governments on both side of the border regarding matters of common concern between our neighboring communities of Creighton and Flin Flon. Areas of common interest include landfills, medical care, education and tourism to name a few.
4. What are your policies on local finances and taxation?
Firstly I would like to comment that I do not personally have a “policy” regarding either of these but more appropriately a “philosophy”. Policies on these are matters of legislation and administrative policy within the Northern Village of Denare Beach and not formy individual interpretation or decision. As Councillor I am bound by policy of the Northern Village of Denare Beach and will abide by those policies...
(note: this answer was well over the word limit and has been cut down)
5. What do you believe should be the local government’s priorities on infrastructure?
Community infrastructure and maintaining that infrastructure is paramount. Safe drinking water and the health and well-being of our citizens is not negotiable and cannot be considered as anything other than top priority. In the Cressy, Welsh and Bayview area work is being undertaken and almost complete to replace aging water and sewer lines. The residents have come to expect a high level of service in terms of street maintenance, snow removal, road repairs etc. Village employees have done an exemplary job of meeting and exceeding expectations ofour residents.
6. Hudbay is currently planning to shut down most of its operations within Flin Flon within the next two years. As a candidate, how does this affect your platform and what plan do you have regarding the Hudbay closure?
Hudbay has been a driver of the economy on the landscapes in the Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach areas for many years. It has been the employer of a large portion of our local residents and Denare Beach has been a benefactor as aresultof families choosing to purchase homes here and to raise their families. (note: this answer was well over the word limit and has been cut down)
7. What is your plan for Denare Beach’s future?
My vision for Denare Beach’s future is to see it maintain it’s quaint and welcoming nature, not only as a placetocall home but atourist destination. I feel that we could be more aggressive in letting others know we exist and that our doors are open to those willing to consider this as a place to start a business.
8. How do you plan on working with nearby communities and councils?
Over the past few years, there has been a marked improvement in therelationship between the three councils. I plan to support all meaningful dialogues between our communities and councils as we havesimilar interests and it isin allofour best interests to support one another to achievecommon goals.
9. What are your thoughts on your opponents?
In this election, there are eight candidates vying for six seats on council. All are very capable and qualified individuals and each of them care deeply about our community and its future. Voters in this election will have decisions to make as to their individual choices and I am confident that the council for the next four years, whoever fills those seats, will do an excellent job.
10. In 25 words or less - what is your elevator pitch for undecided voters?
If in this election you are seeking a candidate that stands for fair and equitable treatment for all residents, a candidate who is passionate...
(editor’s note: this answer well-exceeded maximum length and was cut off.)
11. What question do you wish we would have asked?
Thank you for your questions. We have focused on each candidate’s strengths but I would also have liked to know what each candidate considers to be a weakness or vulnerability. Maybe next time. Thanks again.
PAUL TROTTIER
1. Why are you running for council? What are your qualifications? Do you have experience with public office?
To have input into the development and improvement as well as steady, reasonable tax rates. I have been a businessman for 40 years. I’ve been on more than a dozen boards of directors and I’ve been a councillor with the Village of Denare Beach twice in the past.
2. What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community?
The downsizing of Flin Flon due to the Hudbay closure and the average age group of residents who live in our community, as many elderly are going to be moving into retirement home settings.
3. What would you wish to address with local government if elected?
The one priority I have is to develop an annual maintenance fund within the annual budget to cover paving of our streets, as it is rapidly deteriorating and has not been addressed.
4. What are your policies on local finances and taxation?
The policies that mayor and council need to maintain is a feasibly responsible budget and doing their best to keep any future tax increases to a minimum.
5. What do you believe should be the local government’s priorities on infrastructure?
Ongoing water and sewer upgrades as grant money allows, a recreational facility and once again our paved roads.
6. Hudbay is currently planning to shut down most of its operations within Flin Flon within the next two years. As a candidate, how does this affect your platform and what plan do you have regarding the Hudbay closure?
I don’t really have a solid plan. I have to wait to see what kind of effect it has on our community - although I am sure it will have some - and try to adjust things accordingly, as well as try to promote our community for new residents to maintain our tax base.
7. What is your plan for Denare Beach’s future?
To do our best to maintain a stable population, stable taxes and a safe community to raise our families.
8. How do you plan on working with nearby communities and councils?
I believe the council should do its utmost best to cooperate with both Creighton and Flin Flon as much as reasonably possible.
9. What are your thoughts on your opponents?
Some of my opponents I have worked with on council in the past. Some of them are very good to work with and some not so much. As far as the one newcomer that I haven’t worked with, I’ve known her since she was a child and she’s a very nice young lady.
10. In 25 words or less - what is your elevator pitch for undecided voters?
I would like to solicit your vote for council. I give you assurance that I will work hard and do my best to make reasonable decisions.
11. What question do you wish we would have asked?
(Editor’s note: Trottier did not provide an answer to this question.)
BEVERLY WHEELER
1. Why are you running for council? What are your qualifications? Do you have experience with public office?
My name is Beverly Wheeler and I am running for re-election to the council of the Northern Village of Denare Beach. I was employed as an administrator for almost 30 years, the majority of which were with the local village. After three years of retirement, I was elected to the position of councillor, a position I have enjoyed very much.
2. What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community?
The most important issue that the Village is facing is the downsizing of the company and the potential loss of residents. The majority of the funds to operate the municipality come from various grants. With any reduction of population the grants, as well as the local taxes, will decrease accordingly.
3. What would you wish to address with local government if elected?
Our community has been very lucky to have had fiscally responsible government over the past years so that although our roads could use some work, our infrastructure in the water and sewer department have been kept in good running order.
4. What are your policies on local finances and taxation?
I believe that keeping a close eye on the finances of our community is very important to ensure that we can withstand any future downsizing in our area.
5. What do believe should be local government’s priorities on infrastructure?
I believe that we are lucky to live in a beautiful area and would like to see it promoted as a place to retire or as a home base for those who have to commute for work.
6. Hudbay is currently planning to shut down most of its operations within Flin Flon within the next two years. As a candidate, how does this affect your platform and what plan do you have regarding the Hudbay closure?
A strong council can provide a strong stable community that will help us as we are approaching these uncertain times.
7. What is your plan for Denare Beach’s future?
In my opinion the biggest hurdle in promoting our communities is the medical situation. I realize we have always had to leave the area for specialized medical care but I would like to see the hospital get back to the level of services it was providing a few short years ago.
8. How do you plan on working with nearby communities and councils?
Many years ago an annual meeting of the councils of the City of Flin Flon, the Town of Creighton and the Village of Denare Beach was formed to discuss shared interests. This relationship has progressed to forming an economic development committee and the three councils and administrators interact with each other on a regular basis.
9. What are your thoughts on your opponents?
I am very pleased with the candidates that are presently running in our area. I have worked with all of them over the years and I have no doubt they each have the best interests of our community in mind.
10. In 25 words or less - what is your elevator pitch for undecided voters?
(editor’s note: Wheeler did not provide an answer for this question.)
11. What question do you wish we would have asked?
(editor’s note: Wheeler did not provide an answer for this question.)
FRANK WIEGERS
1. Why are you running for council? What are your qualifications? Do you have experience with public office?
I am running for council because I am interested in future development within the town. I feel my construction background as well as my 10 years of experience on council is an asset.
2. What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community?
Closure of the Hudbay plant is the biggest issue facing the community.
3. What would you wish to address with local government if elected?
If elected, I would like to see the completion of pavement as soon as possible where the new water lines were placed this summer, as well as the upgrade in insulation in the Denareplex roof, the town office building and the fire department building and building a new enclosed bunk for the outdoor skating rink for the kids.
4. What are your policies on local finances and taxation?
My policies would be to complete projects on time and within budget while maintaining low taxes.
5. What do you believe should be the local government’s priorities on infrastructure?
The council should keep upgrading infrastructure while grants are available so as to not get caught doing major repairs fully at the town expense.
6. Hudbay is currently planning to shut down most of its operations within Flin Flon within the next two years. As a candidate, how does this affect your platform and what plan do you have regarding the Hudbay closure?
Council can only prepare by working together with the other communities to support employees and their families.
7. What is your plan for Denare Beach’s future?
My plan would be to maintain the small town atmosphere while supporting programs for youth and adults where possible.
8. How do you plan on working with nearby communities and councils?
I would work with the outlying communities through economic development and open communication.
9. What are your thoughts on your opponents?
It is always good to have qualified people interested in being on council.
10. In 25 words or less - what is your elevator pitch for undecided voters?
I feel I would bring experience and maintain my commitment to the council duties as well as the ability to work as a team.
11. What question do you wish we would have asked?
My question would be , “Do you feel you are able to work as part of a team?”
Three candidates - Nicole Bayless Holmgren, Dale Holmgren and Scott McCullum - did not respond to The Reminder questionnaire.
