Springfield candidates square off

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This article was published 17/10/2022 (925 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s a busy election season for RM of Springfield residents who will go to the polls to elect candidates in every ward and the office of mayor.

With three seeking the municipality’s top post, it could be the last time a mayor is elected in the RM. That’s because both Edwin Giesbrecht and Patrick Therrien, challengers to incumbent mayor Tiffany Fell have vowed to change the title back to reeve.

Incumbent runs on record

Tiffany Fell has served one term as mayor, and one as councillor before that. She said she’s proud of the last four years and hopes to lead the RM for another term.

“I just want to continue with that positive motion forward in the community and get things accomplished for the tax base,” she said.

Current projects include the Dugald Place Assisted Living Facility and Aquatic Centre, a zoning plan, and recreational amenities. “There’s a lot of great things happening right now,” she said.

The zoning plan follows a development plan approved by council in 2019.

The biggest issues right now for Fell is the projects that are awaiting funding.

The municipality is waiting on provincial and federal funding approval for an estimated $24 million recreation facility as well as a $1 million managed wetland east of Oakbank which would decommission a lagoon.

The Sio Silica project is currently awaiting Clean Environment Commission hearings and Fell said the RM has commissioned a consultant who will have a review ready in a few weeks, when it will be shared with the CEC and Springfield residents.

“We want to ensure that we always protect our water in Springfield,” she said.

Fell moved to the RM with her family when she was still in Grade 3 and the long-time resident said she’s proud of what council has done.

“I believe that we’ve done a good job as a council, accomplishing projects and initiatives in Springfield,” she said. “We’ve shown value for tax dollars and I want to continue on this positive path forward for all areas of Springfield.”

Accomplishments included fire halls in two wards, a new public works building in Anola, sidewalks, splash pad, playground, CP pedestrian crossing in Oakbank, pathways and roads.

She also stood by the decision to change the title reeve to mayor, saying it was done to be consistent with neighbouring municipalities who have done the same.

Giesbrecht pledges transparency

Edwin Giesbrecht wants the position as reeve, and the political rookie said he would bring transparency to the position, something he believes is lacking now.

Giesbrecht refused to attend the candidate debate hosted by the Springfield Chamber of Commerce because he believes the municipality should not even be a chamber member. “I would immediately withdraw Springfield from the chamber as long as I had a council behind me to do it,” he said.

In fact, Giesbrecht has plenty of issues with the RM regarding their handling of an alleged gravel theft from the municipal pit, the sale of land to Pine Ridge Hollow, decisions made on development, and their closeness with the chamber of commerce.

Giesbrecht said Mayor Tiffany Fell is not leading properly. “There’s just too many anomalies that don’t line up in anybody’s common sense mind,” he said.

After a land sale of 12.1 acres fronting Bird’s Hill Park from the RM to Pine Ridge Hollow, Giesbrecht said he made a plan of his own, approaching the RM to buy a similar lot. He said he invited the United Nations to invest in a building and apiary so that bees could be studied for environmental reasons. He also proposed what he called a “gated self-sufficient seniors mini-house, four season cottage district”, but was not granted the land necessary.

Giesbrecht also alleged Fell didn’t follow appropriate tendering processes.

“This is a very distraught community right now,” he said. “They’ve been demoralized and divided; they don’t even know what to do about it.”

One thing he wants to do about it is have a forensic audit, shutting down everything but essential services until that’s complete.

He also pledged to stop the silica sands project, at least for now.

“I want it shut down until there’s some very serious investigation,” he said. “It’s going to turn into an absolute nightmare.”

Giesbrecht described himself as a man of honour, saying that’s why people should vote for him.

Ex-cop brings new vision to role

Former RCMP officer Patrick Therrien said he’s ready to take the reigns for the RM of Springfield.

A resident for 31 years, Therrien retired from the RCMP six years ago after a 34.5 year career that saw him win a commendation and medal for bravery.

A former detachment commander, he said he understands how to run larger budgets and allocate manpower.

“I want to serve the community again,” he said. “I patrolled the RM of Springfield for 14 years. I know the dynamics of it, the geography and most importantly the people.”

Pledging to create an open and approachable government, Therrien said he’s offering a new vision, new voice, leadership, integrity and fiscal responsibility.

“I love Springfield,” he said. “It’s a great municipality and I just think it needs some more fresh blood and fresh insight.”

If elected Therrien said he would change his title back to reeve. “There’s no reason why we had to change it,” he said. “It just doesn’t ring true to me.”

He described the silica sand development as “high risk” saying with over 9,000 wells on 8,000 acres, it’s just a matter of time before the aquifer is contaminated.

“It’s a certainty it will eventually happen,” he said.

Therrien pledged to create new bylaws to protect water. “We can’t keep saying that it’s the province’s mandate, we must be proactive as stewards of the land,” he said.

Public safety is also important to Therrien. He said he would examine the role of the Springfield Police to see if taxpayers are served well by paying an estimated $650,000 annually for them and additional funds for the RCMP.

“I’m not saying anything bad about the community police service, I’m saying it’s duplication of the RCMP,” he said. “For us as taxpayers, we’re paying twice.”

Therrien added he would restart rural crime watch areas and advocate for concentrated patrols in hot spots.

He would also add two pedestrian crosswalks on Highway 206 in Oakbank and one more in Dugald south of Highway 15.

Filling the vacant positions of finance manager, economic development officer and planner of economic development are also important to Therrien.

Council candidates were sent a series of questions by email. What follows comes from their responses.

Ward 1

Drainage an issue for Fuhl

Incumbent and veteran Ward 1 councillor Glen Fuhl is hoping to add a third term on council to his resume. A resident of the RM of Springfield for over 30 years, he said he believes in collaboration to find solutions.

“I strive to be fiscally responsible and proactive when participating in the budget process,” he said.

Drainage is a key concern for Fuhl, who said the RM needs to establish appropriate maintenance of ditches to avoid overland flooding. An established strategy for road maintenance and repair and a plan of action for affordable housing are also priorities.

He also pledged his ongoing support to a new recreation facility.

“I will continue to lobby all levels of government for funding, to build the Springfield Recreational Centre,” he said.

Regarding the silica sand proposal, Fuhl said they must wait until the CEC report. “An informed decision can only be made once all information has been gathered.

Water protection a concern

Vince Bennici is challenging Fuhl for the Ward 1 councillor position. An RM of Springfield resident for 24 years, Bennici said he’s owned two businesses for 14 years.

“I have seen government transparency and accountability declining in Springfield,” he said. “Citizen discontent has risen. Spending has increased. Citizens don’t have bottomless pockets. Government should be run more like a business and citizens need their input heard.”

Bennici ran for the position of reeve in 2018 at the urging of supporters and said this year they suggested he run again. He said he has studied the Municipal Act and followed planning issues, adding that water and its protection is a priority.

“I encourage economic development as long as it benefits and does not impact citizens in a negative way,” he said.

Bennici said he’s concerned about the experimental process to mine silica sand through the aquifer.

“This aquifer serves numerous municipalities along with Springfield,” he said, adding citizens in close proximity have experienced a change in water quality. “I don’t think this should be allowed. There are too many unknowns.”

Ward 2

Bredin seeks second term

Incumbent councillor Howard Bredin is seeking his second term on council in Ward 2.

A resident of Springfield for 55 years, he said he grew up in Springfield, raised a family, farmed and ran a business.

“I’m committed to working collaboratively with council, encouraging economic development, and ensuring value for our tax dollars,” he said.

The biggest current issue for Bredin is ensuring fair taxation while simultaneously providing quality municipal services.

“By encouraging responsible economic development, we can increase our tax base without raising taxes and maintain or improve services for all residents,” he said.

Bredin said he supports council’s call for a Clean Environment Commission review of the silica sand project.

He added that with four years of experience on council, he has an understanding of the role, pledging to continue working as a team player to work collaboratively with residents and other councillors.

“I’ve always done my best to listen to residents, respond to concerns, and bring their perspectives to the council chambers and folks can expect that to continue if re-elected,” he said.

Protection of water key to Kuczynski

Andy Kuczynski said protecting our ground water supply is one of his priorities should he be elected in Ward 2.

Having recently retired from running his own small business, now is the time he can give back to the municipality that’s been his home since 1990. But his respect for governance goes back much longer.

“When I was young, I came to Canada in 1972 from Poland where democracy did not exist,” he said. “I feel very strongly about the democratic system of government and strong local representation.”

Kuczynski said over the last few years, he’s noticed a number of unexpected and unwanted land use decisions.

“As I looked into the reasons for the changes, I soon realized that unplanned development would cause serious impacts on our country lifestyle that we choose to enjoy,” he said.

That prompted him to learn more about municipal operations, raising concerns regarding ground water supply, land use bylaws, policies and taxation consequences.

“I thought it was time to step in and do my part in maintaining Springfield’s desirable character and precious resources,” he said.

Priorities for Kuczynski include protecting the water supply, controlling spending, creating open, honest and fair government that serves the residents of the RM, limiting development to protect water and ensure developers cover infrastructure costs, making council meetings include public discussions as part of the decision making process, and not allowing farmland to be changed into rural residential developments.

Ward 3

Accountability necessary for Miller

Mark Miller said he will bring accountability to council, something that’s currently lacking.

“The current council amended bylaws to restrict public input with daytime meetings, reduced the number of councillors, left ward vacancies unfilled, have been unable to put shovels in the ground for a rec centre, limited questions from the public, gave themselves a 20 percent plus raise and have not been able to retain staff,” he said.

With 30 years of senior environmental management experience, Miller said he’s ready to take on the role of councillor.

“I am passionate about our community and will work hard to represent residents well,” he said.

Though he has not held elected office, Miller is a Political Science graduate who has worked on election campaigns for some current sitting MPs and MLAs of various parties.

He said water quality, council transparency and fiscal management are key issues.

“I am passionate about protecting our environment and will steer our RM to safeguard our water, embrace the benefits of energy efficiency and other key environmental pathways along with embracing responsible economic growth,” he said.

While the proposed silica mine near Vivian has what Miller calls “significant positive economic benefits” he also noted there are “potential harmful impacts on the environment”. “The new council should facilitate dialogue with the company, the province and all residents to ensure all are transparent, every concern is addressed and that all environmental precautions are in place,” he said.

Miller said he’s passionate about serving people and the community adding his experience in finance, administration and public engagement will be a benefit to council.

“I have a proven record of achieving results and will aim to ensure our tax dollars are spent wisely and efficiently,” he said. “I will be the environmental expert on council while encouraging prosperity within our RM.”

Les Tripp takes second crack at council

Ward 3 candidate Les Tripp is no stranger to the election race. He ran against an incumbent in 2018, garnering 43 percent of the vote. It was that experience that ignited his passion for politics.

“I realized that many of the constituents of Ward 3 had confidence in my abilities to represent them well,” he said.

A 22-year resident of Ward 3, Tripp has a varied background including raising horses, flying airplanes, teaching flying, building houses and running a home inspection business.

“But what I really want you to know is: I listen more than I talk, I am brutally honest, I am committed to doing my very best for Springfield,” he said.

Tripp said since his first attempt at elected office he has learned more about municipal administration, public works, and other departments, taking the time to attend meetings and learning about the issues.

While drainage and road maintenance are issues in Ward 3, Tripp said as a councillor one also must think of issues facing the entire municipality. “The juggling to address the rural concerns and the urban concerns (Oakbank, Dugald, Anola) becomes harder as we figure out a way to get the infrastructure we need and keep the tax rate reasonable,” he said.

Regarding the silica sand proposal, Tripp said council must listen to the experts.

Tripp said his time as a medevac pilot has proven he’s a strong decision maker.

“The ability to listen, accept that others have access to information you don’t have and the ability to work as a team are the prerequisites to becoming a medevac pilot,” he said. “I believe my role as councillor would benefit from these incredible decision making skills.”

Ward 4

Incumbent says drainage top ward concern

As Valerie Ralke campaigns for her second term as Ward 4 councillor, she says drainage is at the top of the list of concerns.

The 28-year Anola resident said that message came through loud and clear as the concern was repeated during her door knocking.

“Culverts need to be inspected and repaired, ditches need to be widened and constructed, retention considered, and proactive steps need to be taken to protect homes and fields,” she said.

Ralke served as deputy mayor for the last four years and said she relishes the responsibility.

She’s also focused on water safety, saying the council has been proactive by using educated professionals to provide information.

“We have the most educated water specialists in our province working on tangible evidence based information that shows us what is our current state of water quality and quantity and this allows us to put our citizens at ease when addressing this concern,” she said.

That due diligence is also something she said is being applied to the silica sand operation. “I will continue to support our council to garner as much fact based information to protect our water at whatever cost,” she said.

Ralke said she is a good listener, compassionate, caring and experienced.

“If re-elected I will continue to work for our citizens and advocate for needs that have been voiced,” she said.

Transparency a goal for Funk

Wilfred Funk has lived in the municipality for 24 years and said that experience prepares him well for council.

“I am aware of the issues and concerns that many people in the ward have,” he said.

Funk said he will listen to the ideas of all constituents and will advocate for their needs and concerns.

“I am a committed person with a strong work ethic, and I am loyal to our community,” he said.

Funk said bringing transparency to council chambers and ensuring the ideas of the people of Springfield are represented is important to him.

Those issues include making waste collection and dust control fair across the municipality.

Roads and drainage prompt campaign

Melinda Warren said after living on her family farm in Springfield for over 40 years, she felt prompted to run for office after seeing issues with roads and drainage, as well as a large development in their area that has raised concerns over water quality, air, light and noise pollution.

“The residents have tried to voice their concerns but feel that they are not being heard,” she said. “I am not against development. I feel that large businesses need to fit into our development plan and that all businesses that require environmental licences that are issue by the province need to be followed and monitored by the province and local government to ensure the safety of our residents.”

While she doesn’t have experience in elected office, Warren said the skills she’s learned by running a construction business with her husband and advocating for her daughter with special needs has prepared her well.

Voters head to the polls on Oct. 26.