Page 14 - OCTOBER 13, 2016 - martensville messenger
ABOVE: From Left to Right - Darren MacDonald, Jamie Martens, Robert Postma, Bob Blackwell, Marcia Cross, Geoff Baker, MCOC President Trent Ens, Tyson Chillog, Travis Wiebe, Randy Elliott,
Darnell Kuzek and Michael Cox. Sitting in front of the stage are Candidates Forum moderators Stephen Nicholson and Tracey Fesiuk of the MCOC. (Shanine Sealey/Martensville Messenger)
Martensville Chamber of Commerce Hosts Candidates Forum
Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger
For the 2016 election, there are a total of twelve
candidates, with incumbent City Councillors Jamie
Martens, Tyson Chillog, Travis Wiebe, Bob Blackwell and
Darren MacDonald seeking re-election. A total of seven
first-time candidates are seeking a position on Martensville
City Council including; Geoff Baker, Robert Postma,
Marcia Cross, Randy Elliott, Darnell Kuzek, Deborah
McGuire and Michael Cox.
To learn more about each candidate, Martensville
residents were invited to attend a Candidates Forum,
hosted by the Martensville Chamber of Commerce
(MCOC) on Thursday, October 6th. The event opened with
comments from MCOC President Trent Ens, who invited
Mayor Kent Muench on stage to address the audience and
candidates before beginning. All candidates attended the
event, except McGuire, who was unable to be there due to
a prior engagement; however, had pre-written answers to
the two pre-determined questions prepared by the MCOC,
which all candidates were able to prepare for. The event
was moderated by MCOC Director Stephen Nicholson and
MCOC Vice President Tracey Fesiuk, neither of whom
will be voting in Martensville.
Throughout the two hour forum, candidates
touched on various topics and expressed their opinions and
ideas on their plans if they were to be elected.
The first question was regarding the commercial
property tax rates compared to residential tax rates within
Martensville. In McGuire’s prepared information, she
commented that “our tax incentives need to encourage
a business to settle and stay so that our community can
benefit, along with the business, from having local
establishments that draw from within the City limits but
also the surrounding areas, therefore, building the City’s
economy and growth.”
Continuing the discussion regarding the current
property tax rates within Martensville, MacDonald
explained that there have been numerous steps taken to
encourage commercial development within the community,
including tax incentives for new and expanding businesses.
“We rely heavily on residential property taxes to fund the
operations of our city. Any time we can diversify that we
can increase the commercial tax base in our community, it
takes the burden off of residential tax payers.”
Keeping on the topic of commercial growth in
Martensville, Wiebe spoke about the positive changes that
the Martensville business community has seen in recent
years, adding that it wasn’t that long ago that “there were
cows grazing in what is now Black Iron Crossing.”
Moving into the second question regarding
Martensville Parks & Recreation facilities, comments
from Baker included his desire to ensure that Martensville
sees an indoor ice surface constructed and that working
with the school s on implementing additional art programs,
science fairs and a youth council can help encourage youth
to become more involved in the community.
The evening continued with questions from
the public including how to keep kids engaged in the
community and Chillog, who has six children of his own,
discussed the additions to the community that have taken
place such as the MAP, Kinsmen Park, the swimming pool,
the new schools and the upcoming addition of the skate
park. “Many decisions on Council are based on youth.”
Cox, who is the Vice Principal at Valley Manor
Due to time constraints, the moderators were
Elementary School, commented on Martensville’s growth,
unable to get to all of the questions submitted by the public;
adding that the schools population alone rose from 500
however, those questions were provided to all candidates
to 800 within a short timeframe. He encouraged Council
afterwards so they can provide information through other
to “work with Prairie Spirit School Division and Greater
sources. Topics throughout the event included; recreational
Saskatoon Catholic Schools.”
facilities within Martensville, initiatives for seniors,
Blackwell stated that “safety for kids is my
property taxation, snow removal, business incentives and
number one concern,” adding that the current speeding
more.
issues within Martensville are unacceptable. Blackwell
To watch the full video of the Candidates Forum,
also explained how important it is for children to be
visit the ‘Martensville Chamber of Commerce’ Facebook
active in sports and working with a team at a young age.
page.
“Teamwork carries through to adult life.”
Advance polls will take place October 15th and
Cross, who has volunteered with the Big Brothers
22nd from 2pm to 6pm at the Civic Centre at 66 Main Street
and Big Sisters organization for years, expressed her
and Election Day Polls will be held at the North Ridge
passion for engaging kids and encouraging “more ways to
Centennial Community Centre at 301 3rd Street North on
support kids that can’t afford sports and activities,” adding
October 26th from 8am to 8pm. For more information about
the importance of mentoring kids that need it the most.
each candidate and the election, visit www.martensville.ca.
M a r t e n s
discussed seniors in the
community and expressed
how important this topic
was to her. “These people
have paid taxes for
years and contributed to
Martensville
becoming
a city. They are on fixed
incomes, so we need
to ensure they have an
affordable place to call
home.”
Elliot explained
his vision for a safer
community by discussing
how Centennial Drive is
“an issue for pedestrians”
and that, “parking on
Centennial Drive should
stop,
and
crosswalks
should be created.”
Kuzek
stated
that
although
the City has seen many
positive changes, one thing
that needs to be addressed
is the “lack of being able
to attract health personnel”
and that snow removal
within Martensville needs
to be improved upon.
P o s t m a
commented that bringing
more
businesses
to
Martensville is beneficial
because it keeps residents
local and that having more
services available ensures
there “is not as many trips
to Saskatoon.” One thing
that needs to be modified is
the current system that is in
place for traffic congestion
A message from the members of the
and an “increase in police
Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association
presence on the streets.”
65%
of respondents in a recent
Media Usage Study said:
“My Local Newspaper is a source
of pride for the community.”
Mr. Wall:
Why doesn’t your
government think
community newspapers
are a source of pride
for the province?
Why does this government insist on sending our
tax dollars to American social media companies to
advertise programs and services when that money
can be more effectively invested with companies
that provide jobs here at home in Saskatchewan?