Outgoing councillor reflects on 20-year tenure

Steinbach City Councillor Jac Siemens brought numbers and memories to the floor as he delivered the opening during Tuesday’s meeting.

Councillors in Steinbach take turns offering an opening to their regular meetings, and for Siemens this was the 61st time he had that honour.

He used the time to reflect on his five terms on council. Siemens is one of two sitting councillors who will not run again.

He said he’s run in five election campaigns, purchased 40 election signs in the first election and used them through all five campaigns.

“I never bought another sign,” he said. “There’s 22 election signs left, so some people didn’t like me, potentially.”

Siemens finished in the top three in vote count four times, one of those finishing first.

He’s attended 472 council meetings and worked with 14 different councillors and two mayors during his time on council.

The community was very different in 2006 than what it is now.

Siemens said 11,000 people called Steinbach home when he was first elected. That number has risen to 22,000.

Steinbach occupied 25.59 sq. km in 2006 and has grown to 37.56 sq. km today.

In 2006, the city had five signalized intersections.

Now it has 13 with another one being constructed on Giesbrecht Ave. and Highway 52.

In 2006, Steinbach had 5,200 private dwelling units, a number that has risen to over 7,500.

Known for wearing bow ties at council, Siemens said he went through 11 during this time on council.

He also saw the budget rise from $12.6 million in 2006 to $42.3 million today.

“This isn’t just about numbers,” he added. “It was the memories I will carry with me about my time on council.”

Siemens said there are challenges to being on city council.

“I remember the nervous anticipation of that first opening or ribbon cutting, or a greeting, or where you ‘ve been assigned to speak, or you meet a dignitary,” he said. “There are so many firsts on council (and you’re) trying not to be that guy who ‘ums’ and ‘awes’ his way through an interview or speaking to an issue.”

The municipal election is scheduled for Oct. 28.