Moderator Tyler Metz opened the public forum for the Town of Esterhazy election candidates at 6:40 P.M. on Tuesday, October 29th.
Running for the mayor position are Randy Bot and Grant Forster. For councillor, the candidates included Bryant Campbell, William Gale, Apoorav Joshi, Nichol L. Kripki, Dana Paidel, Alan Petracek, Vernon Petracek, Martin Pfeifer and Maggie Rowland.
Approximately 125 people were present at the event.
Mayor Candidates
Randy Bot
Experience: Currently a member of the town council, Bot emphasizes the importance of community engagement, transparency, and practical problem-solving. He aims to create a more connected and thriving town by listening to residents’ concerns and focusing on issues like infrastructure, sustainable growth, and supporting local businesses.
Vision: He is committed to fostering a strong, supportive community where everyone feels empowered and safe. Bot aims to prioritize transparent leadership and ensure decisions are based on the true needs of the people.
Growth and Development: Bot believes the town has immense untapped potential for growth. His plan includes diversifying the economy, attracting new businesses, and improving infrastructure to support future growth. He also highlights the importance of meaningful progress that benefits all residents, not just quantitative growth.
Grant Forster
Experience: A longtime resident of Esterhazy with 58 years of experience, Forster has served 15 years on the town council, including six years as mayor. He is retired from Mosaic, where he worked for 43 years. Forster has been involved in local healthcare initiatives, particularly in the planning of a new hospital and care home facility.
Vision: Forster focuses on healthcare, specifically the development of a new healthcare facility, as a priority for the town. He has been instrumental in working with community members and government agencies to make this project a reality. He also plans to create a committee to help attract and retain healthcare professionals in Esterhazy.
Growth and Development: Forster’s focus on growth includes improving healthcare services, increasing support for seniors, and providing more incentives for young families, such as childcare support and tax abatements. He also advocates for continued growth in housing and commercial development, believing that providing essential services and a safe community will drive long-term success.
Both candidates emphasize community building, but their approaches differ in focus. Bot is committed to transparent leadership and infrastructure development to support sustainable growth, while Forster emphasizes healthcare and public safety as the key drivers of growth and quality of life.
Council Candidates
Bryant Campbell
Background: Moved to Esterhazy in 2013 with his wife Jolene and their two children. Campbell has volunteered as an assistant coach for minor hockey and served on the Esterhazy Housing Authority, where he is vice-chair.
Contribution to Council: He wants to work for the growth of Esterhazy by improving recreation, creating opportunities for families, and ensuring the town grows in a fiscally responsible manner.
Vision for Esterhazy: He advocates for attracting more people to the town, which would lead to more opportunities in business, recreation, and community life. He also wants to improve youth and senior programs in the community.
William Gale
Background: A longtime resident, William Gale works as an operator at Mosaic K2 mine. He is raising a daughter with his wife.
Contribution to Council: Gale aims to ensure the well-being of those who helped build the town while also prioritizing the opportunities for future generations.
Vision for Esterhazy: He wants to ensure the needs of older generations are met while also creating opportunities for the younger generations to thrive.
Apoorav Joshi
Background: Moved to Esterhazy three years ago and has worked in various roles including as a director at Polytech College. He describes himself as a “people person” and is keen on helping residents connect with each other and with the council.
Contribution to Council: Joshi sees himself as a bridge between the people and the council, ready to bring forward the concerns and ideas of the community.
Vision for Esterhazy: He believes in creating more events that bring people together and improve the town’s infrastructure, especially healthcare facilities.
Nicole L. Kripki
Background: Moved to Esterhazy eight years ago with her husband. She has a degree in commerce and works as a licensed mortgage associate. Kripki is also involved in organizing the Friday community market.
Contribution to Council: Kripki wants to bring fresh perspectives to the council, with an emphasis on increased communication and transparency between the council and the public.
Vision for Esterhazy: She aims to attract more businesses and new residents, especially from the growing immigrant population. She also wants to improve the accessibility of local businesses and promote tourism to boost the town’s economy.
Dana Paidel
Background: Involved in the construction industry, Paidel serves on multiple boards related to construction labor relations and safety. He has extensive experience in project management and is dedicated to fiscal responsibility.
Contribution to Council: Paidel wants to bring accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility to the council, particularly in the management of large infrastructure projects like the new water treatment plant and potential healthcare facility.
Vision for Esterhazy: He focuses on investing in youth and recreational infrastructure, as well as ensuring that the next generation of residents has opportunities to stay and thrive in the community.
Alan Petracek
Background: A long-time resident, Petracek has family ties to the area and works as a self-employed contractor. He has an interest in issues affecting both young families and seniors.
Contribution to Council: As a newcomer to politics, he plans to bring a fresh perspective, a strong focus on efficiency in spending, and an ability to listen to the community. He advocates for planning and prioritizing needs over wants.
Vision for Esterhazy: Petracek is focused on economic growth through planning, efficient government spending, and attracting businesses to the area to lower tax burdens.
Vernon Petracek
Background: Born and raised in Yarbo, Vernon moved back to Esterhazy after time spent living elsewhere. He has deep ties to the community and now has grandchildren in the area.
Contribution to Council: Petracek believes in working together as a team to solve issues, emphasizing the importance of communication and community involvement.
Vision for Esterhazy: He wants to focus on creating new commercial properties to attract businesses and generate revenue for the town, which would lower tax burdens on residents.
Martin Pfeifer
Background: A lifelong Esterhazy resident, Pfeifer works at Mosaic and has served on council for three terms. He is seeking re-election to continue the work he’s started, including projects like the water treatment plant and hospital upgrades.
Contribution to Council: Pfeifer brings experience and a commitment to working for the community, focusing on being a voice for residents and pushing forward ongoing and new projects.
Vision for Esterhazy: He seeks continued growth and development, particularly with attracting more businesses to help fund future projects and reduce tax burdens. He believes in preserving the town’s small-town charm while expanding services.
Maggie Rowland
Background: Rowland has lived in Esterhazy since 1983 and worked for the town office for nearly 30 years before serving on the council for eight years.
Contribution to Council: Rowland brings years of experience with the inner workings of local government, as well as common sense and a strong commitment to making the town a better place for everyone.
Vision for Esterhazy: She believes Esterhazy should keep its small-town atmosphere while offering city amenities. She aims to help expand the town, attract new businesses, and improve services and infrastructure for the community.
Key Issues and Visions:
Growth: Most candidates are focused on attracting more people to Esterhazy, whether through new businesses, better recreational options, or a more welcoming environment for new Canadians.
Recreation and Infrastructure: Several candidates, like Bryant Campbell and Dana Paidel, emphasize the importance of recreational facilities and infrastructure upgrades, especially in light of large projects like the new water treatment plant and potential healthcare facility.
Community Engagement and Transparency: Candidates like Nicole Kripki and Apoorav Joshi are prioritizing transparency and communication between the council and the residents, aiming to ensure that community voices are heard.
Economic Development: Several candidates, including Vernon Petracek and Martin Pfeifer, stress the importance of attracting businesses to the area to support growth, increase employment opportunities, and reduce the tax burden on residents.
Election Details:
Advanced Polls: November 5th at the town office.
Election Day: November 13th at the S.N. Boreen Centre.
These candidates bring a range of experience, backgrounds, and visions for the future of Esterhazy, each with a focus on growing and improving the community in different ways.