Candidates square off at election forum

Mac Olsen
South Peace News

Meetings with councillors and municipal personnel are very difficult, says Wade Sekulich, especially when he tries to deal with issues about his business. Sekulich made this comment during the question and answer session at the all-candidates forum at the Pomeroy Inn on Oct. 1. He adds that he doesn’t want to continue doing business in High Prairie the way things stand. “As a local businessman, I’ve had nothing but pain in the butt trying to get my concerns brought forward to councillors, to the town manager, (and) through your development officer,” says Sekulich “I spent $1.5 million on developing four properties in town for rentals. I won’t do another one the way things stand. I’ve told many of you why. Nobody will listen to any concerns. Which one of you guys, when you’re voted in, are going to sit down and talk with me … so that I can feel comfortable spending some more money and staying in this town?” Council candidate Leonard Olson says that he wasn’t aware that Sekulich had issues, and that he could have come to see him. Olson also says that he is available to talk to others about problems they’re having. “I’m sorry you’re not having luck with anybody else. But if you’ve got problems, come and see me. I’ll do what I can to help,” says Olson. Mayoral candidate Rick Dumont also says that Sekulich could contact him at his businesses or the municipal office, and he would meet with him anytime he likes. Dumont adds that town manager Larry Baran has attended the Businessmen’s Breakfast Club meetings and reported back to the council about them. Dumont adds that Baran has been involved with the chamber of commerce a little. “So we are listening to the businesses’ point of view through Larry,” says Dumont. Council candidate Jeff Burgar said that, a couple of years ago, Community Futures tried to hold public meetings, but they did not get very far. However, Community Futures plans to start holding those meetings again, and Burgar noted Sekulich’s frustration with accessibility. “It’s always a tough role, when you’re in business, to go to council,” says Burgar. “You kind of get intimidated. You’re just the one guy there. So what we try to do is create an environment where a whole bunch of people could get together to toss ideas back and forth. Some good ideas. Some bad ideas. But you get the ideas flowing. That’s where our community will grow.” Council candidate Mike Poulter comments that when somebody goes before council, they have only a limited amount of time because council has an agenda it has to get through. Poulter also makes this promise to Sekulich. “If elected, I will be available to meet with any businessman, or business group, or group of citizens on at least two Saturdays a month in the town office to discuss whatever problems they’ve got.” Poulter will also take whatever amount of time the party requests. The High Prairie and Area Chamber of Commerce held the all-candidates forum for the Town of High Prairie town council, and for the M.D. of Big Lakes council. Former Coun. Mike Daubert was the master of ceremonies for this event, which attracted over 50 people. The M.D. council candidates made their presentations first, followed by the council candidates and then the mayoral candidates for High Prairie. The question and answer session with attendees was the last item for the forum.

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