Beiseker candidates were in the hot seat, Oct. 8 as residents asked questions regarding development in the village.
More than 50 people came out to learn more about the seven candidates that are running for a seat on Beiseker’s Village council. Residents were eager to listen to the candidate’s views on the issues facing the small community of about 800 people.
Moderator David Fegan, a local business owner and former mayor, was on hand to keep the comments clean, focused and on-time.
The night began at 7 p.m. at the Beiseker Community Centre, with a one-to-two minutes introduction from each candidate, and from there, moved into questions period.
“Do you think it’s a conflict of interest to have a councillor running for a seat on council that is married to the CAO,” one resident anonymously asked candidate newcomers David McKenzie and Steve Williams via a piece of paper submitted to Fegan.
The question focuses on Leo Louwerse’s nomination for council, Louwerse is married to Village of Beiseker CAO Jo-Anne Lambert.
McKenzie – a 17-year resident of Beiseker – believed that it wouldn’t be a conflict, as “the CAO has their job to do, and council has theirs.”
Williams – a 16-year resident of the village - responded with I don’t have enough information to answer that question.”
The remainder of the questions – submitted via pieces of paper - were asked to all candidates and concerned development, pathways, a separate division of council and bylaw enforcement.
“Do you think there should be a separate division of council to supervise Public Works?” one resident asked.
Frustrations over the backlog of projects in the village – the conditions of roadways, clearing of ditches and sidewalks and flood water over flow – has been the cause of frustration for many residents in the village.
“Public Works works very hard,” Ray Courtman, current mayor and hopeful incumbent told the crowd. “How many bosses do they need? They already come to council and we are all able to voice our opinions then.”
The sentiment was echoed by most of the candidates, as they agreed there are procedures to “deal with Public Works and that it was a matter that should be dealt with by administration.”
The third question revolved around the creation of pathways and running trails for residential use, and whether candidates would make it a priority for the four-year term.
“I would certainly take it into consideration,” incumbent Warren Wise said. “But it will cost money and is that where we want to spend our money right now?”
Similar answers were given by Louwerse and Karen Ursu.
“I’m a big fan of pathways,” McKenzie said. “I see people out for their nightly walks and they are walking in the streets. (We need to find a way) to make people safer.”
Beiseker residents were eager to learn about the progress of the Grasslands of Beiseker’s development project, located west of the village and questioned why it has “taken so long.”
The Grasslands subdivision in Beiseker has recently seen action after the development sat empty for nearly three years when Cooperwood Development abandoned the site in 2010.
Courtman explained that due to the flood in Southern Alberta this past June, he believed the project’s construction took a back seat to flood repair efforts elsewhere.
“Developers are in the process of putting sewage and water lines out there,” incumbent Alexander Henuset said. “What has to be done yet is to bring in the shallow utilities.”
Henuset explained that when shallow or soft utilities – electric, gas, phone and cable – are put in place he believes the developer will begin paving.
Residents will vote in the municipal election on Oct. 21.
Advance polls will be available for Beiseker residents to vote on Oct. 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Village of Beiseker office.
