Lingering effects of a severe winter storm this past weekend will make travel difficult in and around the Battlefords Monday, but solid turnout is still expected for the 2020 Municipal Election when the polls open at 9:00 a.m. Five incumbents and six challengers are vying for a seat on town council, while North Battlef...

Ahead of Monday civic election, residents in the Battlefords are continuing to increase turnout at polling stations.Both municipalities saw drastic increases in volume at advance polls from 2016. The Town of Battleford accrued 312 ballots from its lone advance poll, nearly double the total from last time around. Ash Al...

The Village of Meota will not have an election this fall as all the candidates for the council positions won their seat by acclamation. Dave Konopelski is acclaimed as mayor, while Pat Becotte, Betty Johnson, Teresa Ducharme and Carole Chapman were acclaimed for the four councillor positions.Konopelski will start his f...

Less than a week from the civic election in North Battleford, incumbent council candidate Greg Lightfoot is feeling good, but still at work in campaigning for re-election.Running for a third term at City Hall, Lightfoot said he's remained busy talking to people and working with his team, making sure everyone feels conf...

After two days of advance polls in North Battleford's municipal election, the 2020 race looks to be one of the most active in years.Two hundred and eighty-four residents laid their votes down over the weekend before 345 more joined them Nov. 2, adding to 629 voters that have taken advantage of early polling. There will...

After wrapping up his first four-year term, Kent Lindgren is vying to retain his seat as a councillor with the City of North Battleford."I really hope to do well for my community and believe in my community," he said. "I think I have strong skills that will enable us to keep moving forward."From Nor...

Len Taylor has had a lifetime of public service in politics and is excited to potentially continue that for four more years.An incumbent council candidate and former Health Minister, MLA, and MP for the Saskatchewan NDP, Taylor said he still loves election season for the excitement of campaigning, and the responsibilit...

In running for a second term on town council, Kevin Russell wants to further his knowledge with municipal politics.The incumbent council candidate, who also works in sales for Valley-Ford North Battleford and is involved with several local organizations, said he's enjoyed the last four years as a councillor and has fou...

James Sieben hopes to make some positive changes to the community if he is successful in his bid in the mayoral race for the City of North Battleford."I am running because I want the public to be heard and listened to by somebody who has lived here all his life, and cares about the well being of the public," ...

After already serving two terms, Shelley Boutin-Gervais believes she has what it takes to serve the community well if re-elected as councillor with the Town of Battleford. "I'm really excited to have the opportunity to run again for council," she said. "I don't take the responsibility lightly. I speak up...

For local Rick Zarowny, the town of Battleford has always stood out as a special place. Growing up just across the bridge, in North Battleford, Zarowny graduated from Saint Thomas College before leaving the community to enroll in the Telecommunications Technology course at NAIT in Edmonton.That path led to a nearly 40-...

After two terms on council, Doug Laing has the same passion for the Town of Battleford.The incumbent council candidate said he hopes that residents will continue to give him a chance to give back to the town for the third time and build off of the work done for the past eight years. He said he's really enjoyed his time...

For over 40 years, Gordon Yarde has called the town of Battleford home. And for the last 35, he has found himself involved on and off as a member of Battleford town council.A lot may have changed in the world since Yarde first began his foray into municipal politics in the mid-1980s. However, now in his early 80s, he r...

After more than six years on the North Battleford City Council, incumbent Kelli Hawtin is excited at the possibility of serving for another four.Having lived in the Battlefords since 2007, she said the community has provided her many opportunities for work education, and business. Owner and operator of Hawtin Plumbing ...

After years of feeling disappointed, Ken Chartier has decided to fully commit to the Battleford Town Council race.The longtime volunteer firefighter with the Battleford Fire Department previously ran for a seat on council in 2016, an experience he said that was best described as "dipping my toes in." In the p...

Of all the council candidates in North Battleford this election season, Valorie Higgs is fine with being the most prominent voice for seniors in the 2020 race.The former professional assistant, who's worked in a variety of capacities for local organizations in the Battlefords, is interested in helping elderly residents...

For local David George, the Battleford community has, and always will, hold a special place in his heart. Born and raised across the bridge in North Battleford, Battleford where he set down roots and where he's lived and worked for nearly 40 years. It's where he met his wife Janet and raised their two children and it r...

Some candidates running in the municipal election this fall are doing so because of dissatisfaction they have with the current council. That isn't the case for Battleford council candidate Alexis Christensen.The director of communications and education portfolio holder at Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs, Christensen s...

A growing interest, over a long period or in recent years, has helped drive the decision to run for council in the Battlefords. For Battleford Town Council candidate Cory Schaffer, it's not different.The former service advisor and seeding season loader has always had a lifelong interest in politics, locally and beyond....

Heading into the 2020 Municipal Election in North Battleford, council candidate Sheldon Rafuse is hoping to bring good ideas and frankness to local government.A power engineer, Rafuse said he's thought about running for some time, following the advice and encouragement of friends. With the city in a unique position in ...

Crime prevention has been brought up frequently so far in the North Battleford municipal election and like many of the candidates, Ross MacAngus is looking for new ideas to address the issue.The longtime peace officer and archery instructor believes that reducing crime is the top priority for the community to grow and ...

The field of candidates for mayor and council in the Town of Battleford and the City of North Battleford are set, after the nomination period for the 2020 municipal election ended this afternoon.In the city, five people are running for mayor, with the incumbent Ryan Bater facing challengers Misa Nikolic, Lois Laing, Da...

For the better part of the last 48 years, Dennis Mercer has called North Battleford home. It is where he's raised his family, and where he spent 20 years of his education career, teaching at John Paul II Collegiate. Over his two decade tenure at the local high school, Mercer earned a reputation within the community for...

As the North Battleford municipal election fills with candidates, a common thread between most is the desire to bring a new voice to city hall. For Bill Ironstand it's his primary focus in his bid for council.The emergency management coordinator for Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs, Ironstand is another political newco...

George Plews is among the hopefuls vying for a seat on city council in North Battleford in the upcoming election. "I have lived in North Battleford for 30 years," he said. "I just want to do my part; I care about this city." Plews, who has a family here, is currently employed as a letter carrier for...

Working as an archivist in North Battleford has given Misa Nikolic a unique perspective on the city's history, one that he hopes to help shape the city's future.The former project coordinator, who until recently worked the Allen Sapp Gallery and North Battleford's Historic Archives, is running for mayor in what is beco...

While a long time member of the Battlefords, Lois Laing only felt political aspirations for the past 18 months.The former educational assistant and current landlord decided to throw her hat into the mayoral race this fall, a race that holds three other candidates. Laing said a big part of her decision came from the mon...

Warren Williams is one of the latest candidates announced who is seeking a councillor position in the City of North Battleford election. Williams first considered running for council about two years ago and believes this is the right time."I'm excited to put my name forward," he said. "I would be honoure...

For nine years, local, Clay Lazar served as a paramedic and firefighter in the city of North Battleford. It is experience that has provided him with a unique perspective of the community, and ultimately, a path that has helped lead him where he is today: running for a position on North Battleford City Council.The North...

A recurring theme of the upcoming municipal election is candidates who were born and raised in the community and the first individual to throw a hat into the ring is no exception.Matthew Parker was the initial entry for city council candidates, where he currently faces two incumbents and two other challengers. A local ...

Administration for the Town of Battleford is losing a key member to the mayoral race across the North Saskatchewan River, who makes his foray into politics after six years managing municipal dollars in the area.Finance Director David Gillan, who handed in his resignation to the town last week, will run against incumben...

PAfter two days, there are already several challengers for mayor and council seats in North Battleford.Mayor Ryan Bater will have to run against two candidates that are familiar to many in the community. Former Finance Director David Gillan and longtime resident Lois Laing have thrown their hats in the ring for the lea...

Nominations for municipal government are now open to the public in the Battlefords.North Battleford city hall has set up its election information board, which will have candidates' names added after the nominations are made. Nomination papers and public disclosure statements are in the binder on the table.The list of c...

As the leaves begin to fall and autumn takes effect, election season is on the horizon in the town of Battleford.As such, incumbent mayor with the town, Ames Leslie has announced his intention to run for re-election this year, just a day before the official nomination period is set to open on Sept. 22.Leslie, who will ...

As the election nears in the Battlefords, Mayor Ryan Bater is now preparing for his re-election campaign.The incumbent for North Battleford announced his intention to run on Thursday, having served as mayor since 2016 and on city council since 2012. Bater said he's been candid with people in the community about running...

The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce is looking into the possibility of hosting some type of candidates forums for the upcoming provincial and civic elections for the local area, while adhering to the province's COVID-19 regulations.The civic elections will take place Nov. 9, while the provincial election is expected to...