By Greg Higgins

Steinborn leads all council candidates in vote numbers

Oct 27, 2016 | 6:33 AM

When Kevin Steinborn decided to run for council he hoped to win, but didn’t expect to do so by a landslide.

Nine of the 15 candidates running for council in North Battleford had previous council experience. With only six chairs available, first time candidate Kevin Steinborn was hoping to squeeze into the sixth or fifth spot. To his surprise he had the highest number of votes once the last poll was counted.

“Holy smokes I didn’t expect this at all,” Steinborn said. “I am pretty honoured and I’d really like to thank the community for their votes. I am going to back them and support them and be their voice on council for the city of North Battleford.”

Steinborn said the first thing he wants to do is sit down with everyone in council and “hash things out.” The new councillor said they have to talk about the positives and negatives before moving forward. Steinborn said he wants to make changes within the organization but didn’t specify.

Steinborn contributes his election success to being well known around the community.

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“I went out and put the signs up and talked to a lot of people,” Steinborn said. “I think it all boiled down to people knowing me and what I’ve done for the community. I haven’t changed. I am who I am and I am very passionate about the community.”

Also getting a lion’s share of the votes was former councillor Len Taylor. With 1,232 he ranked third in voting. The results weren’t as surprising for Taylor though.

“I think the numbers looked good,” Taylor said. “I think people were engaged. There were lots of signs out and people worked hard. The public responded and I think it was a good turnout.”

Taylor said his biggest asset is listening. He believed the main reason for his election was because the community knows their voice will be heard with him in office.

This isn’t Taylor’s first rodeo. He served on North Battleford City Council from 2000 to 2003. He also held positions at the provincial and federal levels.

With three new seats open Taylor reminisced about his previous stint on council and has a preferred seat in mind.

“Well when I was in council I had the seat right next to the mayor,” Taylor said. “I’d like to be there again.”

Greg Higgins is battlefordsNOW’s city municipal affairs and health reporter. He can be reached at ghiggins@jpbg.ca or tweet him @realgreghiggins.