Stoughton residentswill be interested to see the results of the upcoming municipal election onOctober 24th as two candidates vie for the position of Mayor and 8 others are running for the six positions ofcouncilors.
There is lots happening in Stoughton both with commercial properties being developed and a new residential subdivision set to go. A new hotel under construction, a C store by the cardlock site is waiting to be built. A daycare to opennext year and as well there is the plans to upgrade the water treatment facility.
The individuals running for mayor are existing Mayor Heather Balon Barmann and former councilor Bill Knous.
Individuals running for councilors are: Tom Sangster, Denis Brown, Blaine Morrisonand Collene Verbeem who are currently on council. Candace Merk, Danielle Hoffman, Lorne Fisher and Chelsea Schindel are also running.
Following are profiles and photos of some of the candidates running for council.
Heather Balon Barmann is running for another term as Mayor.
She grew up in Stoughton and graduated from high school in 1978.
"After working for a couple of years, I enrolled in the Cosmetology course in Moose Jaw. Unforeseen circumstances brought me back to Stoughton upon the completion of my course and I began working in our family hair salon and I am still there 30 plus years later. I am proud to say that I have carried on the business that my Mom started and my daughter is now working with me as well. I have to thank my parents for teaching me the importance of being an active part of the community you live in. Being a volunteer was second nature to me growing up and this helped in the development of my love for my community. I have served on many boards through the years starting at 16 years of age as the liaison from the high school to the Recreation Board. Municipal government always held an interest for me. As a young wife and mother I sat as a councillor for the Town of Stoughton for 2 terms. After an unsuccessful bid to gain the mayor's chair in 2005, I was acclaimed into the position midway through the 2006 term and again in the 2009 election. I have had the great pleasure to work with an amazing group of people on my councils. I am proud of the many accomplishments through the years. The landscape of Stoughton has changed considerably with the economic upswing in our area of the province and I'm pleased to say that our council has been visionary and proactive in their approach to this upturn. We have seen the boundaries of the town increase with annexations of land for both commercial and residential development. We have instituted a paving program that over a period of years will see the entire town's streets resurfaced. We have entered into an agreement with the Ministry of the Environment for an upgrade to our water treatment facility and a proposed lagoon expansion. Several new commercial developments have taken place over the last few years including the building of a commercial card lock service, two large hotels being built, along with several oilfield related businesses who have purchased land and constructed buildings. We have purchased land and are working in concert with the RM of Tecumseh and the local Daycare Board to make the idea of a cooperative daycare facility a reality.
Stoughton is facing some very exciting times and along with this comes many challenges. As in most other parts of the province, our aging infrastructure is a definite concern. Funding from Provincial and Federal governments seems harder to attain. This means that at the Municipal level we must come up with some innovative methods to fund projects and make some hard decisions around the table.
My decision to run for another term as mayor was made with ease. I love my community and am excited about what is happening here. I want only the best for the citizens and am willing to face the challenges placed before me with a positive, creative outlook. I am excited that we are having an election. That tells me that people are interested and are willing to step forward to show that interest."
My name is Chelsea Schindel, I am running for a seat onStoughton Town Council.
For the last five and one half years my wife and I have had the privilege of owning New Hope Pharmacy in Stoughton, the balance of my working career was spent in pharmacy related work and self employment.
As a town councilor I would bring the ability to listen to all points of view and weigh the pros and cons so that the community as a whole might benefit.
The community of Stoughton has been very supportive of my business A seat on town council would give me the opportunity to give back to the community.
Dennis Brownis seeking another term on council.
He has lived in Stoughton for over 15 year and works in the oilfield industry as a Production Foreman for Petrobakken in the Stoughton and surrounding area.
"I joined Town Council 2 years ago and have enjoyed being a part of the accomplishments the town has achieved in those 2 years. I am excited to run for a 2nd term to see our Town through the growth and improvements, making Stoughton one of the best places to live in Saskatchewan.
Good luck to all. Thanks."
Collene Verbeem is seeking another term on council.
She has lived in Stoughton all of my life and has worked with CIBC for the past 17years and in her current position as Branch Manager for the past 10 years.
"I joined Town Council in May of 2011 and in that time I have learnt so much about our town. I believe everyone should sit on the Town Council. it gives you a better understanding of the struggles that a small town has to deal with. I am excited to run for a second term to follow through with the many projects We, as a council, l have been working on. If elected, I will be committed to working with the new council to ensure we are looking at the best interest of not only our town but the residents as well.
Thank you and good luck to all."
Blaine Morrison is running for another term as councilor.
Blaine and his family moved to Stoughton in 1977.
He retired from a teaching career in 1998.
Through the years I have been active in the community, taking part in fastball, curling, coaching softball, volleyball and curling, managing hockey teams, Dinner Theatre, Royal Canadian Legion, as emcee at a variety of public functions, entertaining at different venues and as a member of Town Council. I have served as organist and choir leader at Grace United Church from 1980 to the present.
My Council portfolio has included Water & Sewer, Police Board, Fire Board, Ambulance Board, Library Board, Museum Board and I chaired the Centennial Board for our Town celebrations in 2004. For a number of years I have served as Emergency Measures Co-ordinator for Stoughton, Forget, Heward and the R.M. of Tecumseh.
During my time on Town Council we have seen many initiatives in Stoughton and area - the Community Complex which incorporates the skating rink, curling rink and swimming pool, annexation of land for both commercial and residential developments, feed mill, two new hotels and other business ventures. As a main centre in the oil patch, Stoughton is poised to continue its growth in the future. It is my hope to be a participant in that growth as a member of Town Council. In particular, I would like to be involved in the construction and completion of the water filtration system and other upgrades to our infrastructure.
The future of Stoughton looks bright."
Danielle Hoffman is running for council. She is the General Manager of the Poplar Tree Inn and married to Derek Hoffman. Her and her husband moved to Stoughton from Edmonton Alberta in 2008. She is currently the President of both the golf board and Chamber of Commerce.
"I am running for council because I believe that this community is in an area that substantial growth is occurring. With any growth there are bound to be challenges and it is in my nature to be proactive towards these challenges. I believe being involved with your community is more than having an opinion, its acting on that opinion - It is helping to make the changes or lending the extra hand to get the job done, it is about showing up and making the difference. In addition to these believes, I have the ambition and drive to help Stoughton move forward into the future. I looking forward to the opportunity to face these challenges and make a positive difference within the community."
Bill Knous running for mayor,has previous experience having served one term as councilor.He is retired from the mining industry in BC and has lived in Stoughton since1999. Some of his concerns are:- Water and sewer and infrastructure- Zoning- Bi-laws and policing- Recreation- An open book policy for town hallBill is open to discussion and would welcome your input. Feel free to call 457-3259.
Tom Sangster is seeking another term on council. He is the most experienced candidate running, having served on council for longest period of time.
Tom grew up in Stoughton and he and his wife have lived in town for the past 30 years.
He is a business owner and works as a building contractor in Stoughton and area.
"I've enjoyed being on council for several terms and feel I have gained valuable experience over the years.
Our council has been very busy with the growth in the area and I am proud of what we've achieved. Our business assessment has more than doubled and residential has had steady growth. Some of my goals for the next term would be to complete the $1.5 million upgrade to our water system and to see the development of 40 new residential lots.
I feel some of the programs already in place such as the paving restoration and financial support of our recreation facilities are important to continue. We also need to maintain the good relationship we have with the RM of Tecumseh so that we can continue to work together for the betterment of the area. I understand that policing is a big issue for our citizens andI feel the new council will have to try to find a way to have more police presence in our community.
I think there are many interesting projects that could be considered. What about a new basketball/tennis court, a new kitchen at the rink, or setting up a Taylor Park Society to work on a waterfall and flower beds? Our volunteers have already begun working toward some of these things.
I want to say good luck to all of the candidatesand I hope we will have a forward-thinking and effective council for the next term."
Lorne Fisher is seeking election as councilor in the Town of Stoughton upcoming election.
