Penner seeking another term

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This article was published 25/08/2014 (3530 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Another Penner is putting her name on the ballot.

Steinbach city councillor Cari Penner says she is seeking her fourth term on council come October, joining five other candidates, including current council colleague Susan Penner. 

Penner was most recently elected to council in 2010 and spent eight years on council from 1992 to 1998.

As she launched her campaign, Penner zeroed in on two key platform issues she believes deserve the attention of Steinbach citizens.

Penner says in the coming term, city council will need to weigh the costs of policing to the city. She notes that already the city spends about $1.9 million annually on policing. Once Steinbach’s population reaches 15,000 (it currently sits at 13,524), the city will be responsible for 90 percent (rather than 70 percent) of RCMP costs, an additional cost of $300,000 to $400,000 per year.

“Those funds can be used elsewhere,” Penner says, ”Or the saving could be passed on to the taxpayer. Now is the time to study our options.”

She also stressed the importance of council’s commitment to upgrading sport and arts facilities.

“Those activities bring a richness and diversity to the community. Our sports and arts facilities are overcrowded and aging, and we need to invest in the community’s recreational infrastructure. I believe with diligent planning we can keep it affordable for our ratepayers.”

The municipal election will be held Oct. 22.

Read more about Penner’s run for council in the Aug. 28 print edition of The Carillon.