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Chamber all-candidates reception sees mayor candidates make their pitch

It was an all-new format for the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce when they hosted their municipal election event this year.

It was an all-new format for the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce when they hosted their municipal election event this year.

Instead of holding public all-candidates forums for Battleford and North Battleford, an all-candidates reception was held at the Chamber’s location on the corner of Highways 16 and 40.

The event provided an opportunity for candidates for mayor and council in both communities to meet Chamber members and hear their issues and concerns directly.

As it turned out, most of those in attendance were the candidates themselves. Much of the mingling ended up happening with other candidates, as there weren’t many “undecided” votes in the room. 

The format itself had come under fire in the days leading up to the event for not providing an opportunity to the public to ask questions directly to the candidates.

Battlefords Chamber president Jay Bottomley acknowledged the concerns that had been expressed.

“There are some in the community who still wish to see a public opportunity for meeting and hearing candidates. Some have called to express their displeasure that no public opportunity is being afforded them,” said Bottomley.

“This certainly is a topic we will be discussing.”

One reason for the new format was the Chamber had just come off hosting full public election forums for the provincial and federal elections in the past year.

Bottomley said the Chamber would “review the decision to host public forums for the federal and provincial campaigns, as well as to host a member-only event for the civic election. This review will be post-event.”

While there was no formal “debate,” there were speeches by the nominated candidates running for mayor in Battleford and North Battleford.

That provided opportunities for both Battleford mayor candidates, David George and Ames Leslie, to make their final pitch on why they should be elected to those watching the event at home on Access TV, who was televising the speeches.

George pointed to his long tenure on council, which included chairing the administration and municipal services committees, in his appeal to voters.

“Experience, experience, experience. I have that, I think I can lend that to our community going forward,” said George.

On issues facing the town, George made clear amalgamation with North Battleford was off the table. “I don’t believe in any amalgamation, for the near future that I can see,” he said.

George also said he’d “like to see no tax increases,” and voiced support for their volunteer fire department and for the RCMP. He said he wanted to see the rash of property crime and vandalism addressed, “whether we have to start a Citizens On Patrol or whatever it may be, and get that rectified a little bit.”

George also voiced support for a new post office building downtown. 

In his speech, Ames Leslie also said he was “not in favour of amalgamation. Battleford is a place I’d want to retire, (and) want my kids to be able to grow up and have family themselves in Battleford.”

Like George, Leslie expressed his support for keeping the post office downtown, noting that since the move to the temporary facility last year “we’ve seen, definitely, impact to the economic development and the growth of our downtown.”

Leslie said he believes council should focus on downtown and pointed to its proximity to museums such as the Sask. Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, the Fred Light Museum and Fort Battleford.

“Battleford is known for its history,” said Leslie. “As a mayor and council we need to support that, because that brings tourism dollars to our town.”

Leslie also spoke favourably about adding “extra incentives to young entrepreneurs or anybody wanting to start a business we don’t presently have.”

He also spoke about “getting ahead of this crime trend we’re having, which is quite alarming.” Leslie called on the town to reach out to all levels of government and community organizations to “find proactive ways to get ahead of this crime wave.”

Mayor-elect Ryan Bater of North Battleford also addressed the gathering. He said it was his first opportunity to be able to address any organization since nomination day when he was acclaimed as mayor in September.

“I know that my candidacy was unexpected. It was for me, too, but I’m ready,” said Bater.

Bater touted a number of priorities undertaken by council during the last term, including downtown revitalization efforts, community safety initiatives and the underground pipes and roads program.

Bater also underlined the importance of who serves on council. He noted that last term there had been some 4-3 votes on critical issues.

“Every one of those votes matters,” said Bater. “If a different person was sitting on council, some of those votes could have gone another way.” 

He urged voters to get to know the candidates and their priorities. 

“Be suspicious of a candidate who is promising all sorts of new programs and services and who are going to solve all kinds of problems, because it’s not like that at all. You have to make priorities. To be a good councillor, or a good mayor, you have to be able to make priorities and make decisions.”  

Bater said the role of a councilor is a “serious thing requiring very serious people to fill that role,” and thanked all of those who had stepped up as candidates.

“You’re doing something that a lot of people just think about,” said Bater.