Resident have until 8 p.m. tonight to cast their votes at polling stations. (File Photo/BattlefordsNOW Staff)

By Austin Mattes

Municipal Elections

Battlefords residents cast their votes today

Nov 13, 2024 | 1:12 PM

On the heels of a provincial election, voters are once again having their say – this time on the municipal level.

People were lined up when the polling stations opened at 9 a.m. Wednesday morning waiting to make their choice for mayor and council in North Battleford.

At the Access Communication Centre polling station, residents revealed what they were looking for in candidates and why it was important for them to vote.

“I think when you’re a part of a community, it’s good to come out and make that difference of who you want to see leading the community and what kind of changes you want. I think I was looking for people that had experience in our community with business, with past leadership,” one voter said.

“It’s our civic duty and we need to change. So, we all need to come and vote. If you don’t vote, you can’t b*tch, right?,” another resident named Thelma said.

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When it came to the issues that were most important to community members, resident Jim Walls pointed to finances and facilities.

“I think just a careful running of the city and its finances is important. I’m a supporter of the Dekker Center and want to make sure that it continues to be a board operated facility.”

Resident Doug Fehr mentioned other issues that he wants addressed.

“Crime and affordability are the two biggest issues I guess,” he said.

And he wasn’t the only one who felt that way, as a number of voters told battlefordsNOW that they have the same concerns in regard to crime and safety.

The city will see a new mayor at the helm as David Gillan did not seek re-election. A total of 13 candidates are vying for six seats on council.

Battleford residents conducting their civic duty said they came out to vote for a better future, at least for the next four years.

“I just vote in every election. I read the best candidates, and then I vote.” Tyler Boshe added if he doesn’t vote, he can’t complain.

“It’s a civic duty that everybody should do if you want the town to be run the way it should,” Battleford resident Gordon Johnson added.

When asked about a change in council and seeing new faces at the table, resident Rodney Runge who was waiting in line to vote had this to say:

“Perhaps a change in the council just might give it a different perspective on certain aspects of, you know, street maintenance and taxes, those kinds of things I see so far… definitely, some of the old faces need to go.”

In Battleford, Mayor Ames Leslie was acclaimed but six councillors will need to be elected. Residents we spoke to were generally happy with how things have gone in their community the past four years.

“So hopefully, it’s more of the same, and they manage your money wisely…I don’t see any downside, pretty much no matter who we get. I think they’re going to do a good job,” Johnson said.

“They clean the roads pretty good. Pick the garbage up. It’s pretty clean. Pretty safe. There’s not a whole lot,” Boshe added.

In North Battleford, residents can cast their votes at the Access Communications Centre and in Battleford, voting takes place at the Alex Dillabough Centre.

Polls close tonight at 8 p.m.

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austin.mattes@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @AustinMattes