bILL (Thomas) Ironstand was first elected to the city council in 2020.He believes to lower the tax rates, the city needs to attract more residents and businesses. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

2024 MUNICIPAL ELECTION

Bill Ironstand seeks second council term; aims to better taxation and drive growth

Oct 15, 2024 | 7:39 PM

North Battleford City Council candidate Bill (Thomas) Ironstand is seeking his second term on Nov. 13 with the aim to be the voice to improve the taxation system for local businesses and homeowners.

Ironstand believes the city needs fair taxes for businesses and residential properties to support growth. He said that to keep the tax rate low; the council needs to focus on attracting more residents and businesses to contribute to the local economy.

To foster the growth he envisions, he mentioned that council has been enhancing North Battleford’s appeal to corporations, aiming to attract and reassure them that the city is suitable for investment.

“We need to go out and do what his worship the mayor, Mayor Gillan, did last year, and they went to Whistler, where they went with all the corporations, along with Red Pheasant First Nations, were recruiting companies and basically selling North Battleford as the wonderful place that it is to these companies to come and build and invest to attract more people,” he said.

Ironstand also believes that strengthening the connections with surrounding First Nation communities could enhance the city’s potential for growth. He mentioned that the current council has already initiated the development of solid relationships with different Nations, and he hopes to build on and maintain these partnerships in the next term.

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“We just did the signing with Sweetgrass, so there’s potentially going to be a business out there on Highway 16 with the Seven First Nations in our immediate area within an hour.”

“They are trading partners, and the dollars they bring to our community are invaluable. We as a community would not prosper or have the opportunity to prosper without them. They bring millions and millions of dollars into our community every year, grocery shopping, gas, clothing, and recreation. It’s huge,” he pointed out.

Along with the First Nation communities , he further stated that to shape a better foundation for growth, maintaining ongoing partnerships with surrounding cities’ leaders, and different levels of government are crucial, as he believes it is hard for the city to succeed alone.

“The majority of people within 40 miles used the services of the City of North Battleford for its healthcare, schools, or recreation facilities, and we need to come to an understanding that the City of North Battleford needs support to continue funding all of those is very expensive,” he explained.

“We need to work with all those groups to help us sustain.”

If reelected, he aims to leverage everyone’s knowledge to find solutions and advocates for the city to draw upon diverse perspectives and skills when crafting plans that benefit all segments of society.

“You need to have all those diverse groups at the table, and that’s how things get done properly.”

Looking ahead, he is positive about the city’s future and drawing from his experience in the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) Integrity Management department and emergency management consultation, he feels well-equipped to help the city to find solutions for its problem.

Municipal election day is Nov. 13.

Other confirmed candidates include Alvin Baptiste, Rodney Fedler, Mercy George, Donald Meriam, Greg (Gregory) Lightfoot, Kent Lindgren, Ross MacAngus, Dennis Mercer, Alan Wiese, Dan Suberlak, Darryl Williams and Warren Williams.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com