Mark Coleman (M) with his sons Cavan Coleman (L) abd Boone Coleman (R). Along with his role as a teacher, he is also a hockey and baseball coach. (photo/ Mark Coleman)

By Kenneth Cheung

2024 MUNICIPAL ELECTION

‘Social responsibility’ : Battleford teacher focuses on affordability and recreation in this council run

Oct 24, 2024 | 4:00 PM

Expect to see Mark Coleman’s name on the ballot in the upcoming municipal election for Battleford.

Coleman, a teacher at Battleford Central School, originally hails from Dorchester, Ont. About seven years ago, he and his wife were looking for a place to settle down and job opportunities from the Living Sky School Division led them to Battleford, where they welcomed two children. Now, they take pride in calling the town their home.

When asked what motivated him to run for council, he said it was a ‘social responsibility.’

“‘I’m proud of where our town is at the moment, and I want to continue to strengthen it and make sure it’s a good place to continue raising my kids going forward.”

Coleman has set his sights on bringing prosperity to the town, with a focus on affordability. He believes it is essential for the council to keep taxes low while maintaining a balanced budget to ensure the town functions effectively.

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“In keeping Battleford affordable, we need to be responsible as a council,” he explained.

In addition to focusing on affordability, he also plans to advocate for the expansion of recreational opportunities to foster greater community involvement.

“The council has done well with expanding the walkability of the town with their new sidewalks, but I think there’s always more opportunities, and I think we should keep looking for more opportunities from citizens to look for the ability to have more things outside.”

“With recreation, more opportunities to keep people active, not just the youth but all opportunities for citizens,” Coleman said.

To prevent increasing the tax burden, Coleman intends to concentrate on smaller recreation projects that gradually enhance the overall community environment. He mentioned that he would plan to seek financial support if opportunities arise for large-scale projects.

“Let’s say a second ice pad to go with our arena, those are things that would definitely have to be dealt with through governmental grants and even looking for sponsors and fundraising,” he said.

To further show his ambition for improving the town, he hopes to attract more businesses to invest in the local economy. He believes the current council has done a commendable job in drawing in new businesses and he aims to build on this momentum to create even more growth opportunities.

Drawing on his experience and skills as a teacher, Coleman believes he is well-equipped to run for the council. As a young professional, he is optimistic about bringing a fresh perspective to the table.

“As a good representation of the community, I’m committed to listening to residents and working collaboratively,” he said. “I think with the upcoming support in the election, we can continue to progress and ensure that our town remains a wonderful, affordable, and great place to live, work, and thrive.”

Voting will take place on Nov. 13 at Alex Dillabough Centre in Battleford. Other confirmed candidates include Clayton Lazar, Doug Laing, Shelley Boutin-Gervais, Randall Cote, Josh Pernala, Kevin Russell, Judy Pruden and David George.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com