Alexis Christensen and David George were two of the six elected to Battleford Town Council this week, joining four incumbents. (file photos/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Battleford Council

Christensen, George look forward to council opportunity

Nov 12, 2020 | 3:04 PM

Alexis Christensen and David George are the newest members of Battleford town council, following Monday’s election.

The pair join an experienced council contingent, which includes acclaimed Mayor Ames Leslie, who will return for a second term, and four incumbent councillors: Kevin Russell, Judy Pruden, Shelley Boutin-Gervais, and Doug Laing.

Christensen said she looks forward to working with her fellow council members, and working to keep Battleford a great place to live.

“I’m just very honoured and very excited to get started,” Christensen said. “It’s not a light job and it’s not to be taken lightly either, and I think it’s a great opportunity. I really put myself out there for something new, and I’m excited.”

Christensen said she has already been keeping busy in the days since the election, reading up on documentation and getting prepared for a busy immediate future, with budget season just around the corner.

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“I’ve been busy looking over the past budgets and getting ready, because I know that’s one of the very first things we’ll be doing,” she said. “I just want to make sure that when I’m at the table, I’m prepared and ready to go.”

Christensen said she’s looking forward to the learning process, and hopes to make the people of Battleford proud. After all, connecting with the people of the community is what made her get involved in municipal politics to begin with.

“I think the whole experience is obviously going to be a huge learning opportunity for me, but at the end of the day, I’m really most excited about connecting with the people of Battleford,” she said. “I appreciate all the support, and want the people to know I’m out there working for them and I’m transparent. They’re able to call me, and have access.”

And while Christensen may be making her initial foray into municipal politics, George provides another councilor with a wealth of experience at the position.

George has spent over 16 years as a member of town council, dating back to the late 1980s.

He said after some time away, he looks forward to getting back to the table.

“I really appreciate all the people that supported me, and hopefully I can come through for them,” George said. “I will do my best, and I hope down the road it’s appreciated.”

George knows the position demands commitment. He said to see so many people submit their names to run for council shows the town is in a good place when it comes to leadership initiative.

Town council “is a major commitment, and for those people who stepped up it was wonderful to see, and I congratulate those that did get in as well,” he said. “I know I’d just like to thank my family for helping out too. We delivered flyers to most of the residences in town and I’d like to thank them for their support as well.”

Mayor Ames Leslie said both Christensen and George will provide valuable input to the town over the next four years. He said the two, along with the returning four incumbents, make up a solid group he looks forward to working with.

“We have a pretty astute council coming forth,” Leslie said. “With the additions of Alexis Christensen and David George joining the four incumbents coming in, I look forward to what the next four years may look like.”

For more on Battleford town council results, click here.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1