RM OF ESTEVAN — The RM of Estevan had elections for Divisions 2, 4 and 6 scheduled to take place in the fall of 2022.
However, only one division has two candidates competing for councillor. The other two had only one person put their name forward.
Two nominations were received for the office of councillor in Division 2, and an election will occur between Don Hilstrom and Barbara Connely.
The first advance poll for Division 2 was on Nov. 1. Additional advance polls will be at the RM of Estevan office at #1-322 Fourth Street on Nov. 2 from 4-8 p.m., and Nov. 3 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Election day is Nov. 9, from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Division 2 - Don Hilstrom
Don Hilstrom has been a part of the RM of Estevan council for 10 years. Outside of being a councillor for the RM's Division 2, Hilstrom also performed the duties of the RM reeve on two different occasions.
"I bring lots of experience to the position," Hilstrom said.
The public's concerns about road conditions were among the main reasons that motivated him to put his name forward to begin with.
"It started with just building some new roads around the community where I live, and just improving the area in general," Hilstrom recalled, adding that roads and other issues that matter for the community remain a reason for him to run in the RM of Estevan elections.
"Industry is the biggest part of the RM road system. Oilfield, farmers, ranchers, hunters – roads are so important in the framework of the RM. And that's what we're all about."
He said his years representing Division 2 and working with the RM of Estevan have been good, and they were able to accomplish many projects. Last year they were able to pave in the Boundary Dam area, build a new 011 road to the south and a new bridge at the Short Creek Valley.
"We are always improving," Hilstrom said. "We just keep on doing stuff. We do it in unison with all the other councillors, of course. We got a good working relationship with the other councillors and the new reeve Jason LeBlanc."
Hilstrom has a life-long career in raising bison and cows. His son Eric helps him with it and is gradually taking over the operation.
"That's a moving thing. I'm doing less, and he's doing more. So it's working good," Hilstrom said.
Hilstrom started raising cattle with his father, joining the family-run operation that's been going on for four generations now. The family has been residing in the area since 1903, and Hilstrom's three adult children also live in the RM now.
"We have a real vested interest in making sure that taxes stay as low as we can keep them and the roads are as good as they can be," Hilstrom said.
Hilstrom's latest committee appointments with the RM included agricultural councillor, city/RM, mines, SE community advisory, Woodlawn Regional Park, road bans, fire ranger, policy, public works, weeds and finance.
Division 2 - Barbara Connely
Barbara Connely is a newcomer in the world of politics. She said she has zero experience but does have a vision and time to represent people living in Division 2, where she's lived for 35 years.
Right before the pandemic, Connelly sold her business, Purr-fect Dry Cleaners, which she ran for 18 years. Now she is retired, and she said she is willing to use her time to listen and address the concerns of division residents.
"I think it's just time for a change in the RM. Nothing against my opponent I'm running against, I know him very well just because I've lived out here for 30-some years. I just think it's time for a change, get a little new blood in there," Connely said.
"Because I'm retired, I feel like I have time to commit to polling people's concerns and ideas … I've already spoken to probably 150 households. And I'm getting some really good feedback. What I'm doing is I'm just asking everybody [about]… number one, how to improve the RM; and number two and three, are issues and concerns. And I'm just taking notes."
Some of the concerns and ideas Connely heard from the residents were resonating and included road conditions, lights at the football field, the traffic flows in that area and others. She noted that not all of the issues that were mentioned might be the RM's responsibility, but if elected, Connely plans to work with the notes she's taken and try finding solutions, and also continue to check with the residents regularly to address their needs in a timely fashion.
"I want to address everybody's issues eventually," Connely said.
"I'm pretty much a likeable but vocal person, just due to the fact that I've run my own business for many years," Connelly added. "People could phone me and address an issue and I would be on it in a second. I think I would be an asset to the RM of Estevan under [Reeve] Jason LeBlanc … I just think I could do it. But it's a learning process, I don't have any political experience. But I just want to do something, and I want to do something good."
Division 4 – James Trobert
The RM of Estevan received only one nomination for the office of councillor for Division 4, and that was James Trobert.
"James was born in Estevan and has lived in the RM throughout much of his life, both while growing up on his parents' hobby farm [where he helped raise cattle, pigs and chickens] and again since 2014 when he and his wife Doris purchased their present acreage. James attended the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, receiving his bachelor of arts degree [with distinction] in political studies in 1994 and later his bachelor of laws degree in 1996. Since graduation, he has practised law in Estevan," according to the information provided on the RM of Estevan website.
"Away from the office, James has been a member of many local boards and committees, including past president of the United Way Estevan, public address announcer and volunteer coach for Estevan Minor Football, actor in the Lampman Community Theatre, as well as being active in the federal political scene. His first term as councillor for Division Four has been an extremely busy and rewarding time for him.
"During his downtime, he enjoys spending time with his four children, playing farmer on his acreage, camping, travelling, reading and enjoying a fine cigar."
Division 6 – Steve Smith
Steve Smith was the only person to file for councillor in Division 6.
"Steve was born and raised on a farm in the RM of Browning, [about 20 kilometres] east of Lampman. He rented a half section of land and began farming at the age of 14. After graduating high school, he found employment with Carson Welding & Maintenance, thus beginning his 30-year career in oil and gas construction, where he was the southeast Saskatchewan area manager of five locations. Prior to this, he had a short on-and-off career with Luscar at the Bienfait and Boundary [Dam] mines. Volunteer work came in the form of assistant coaching for his daughter's softball team, spanning over 10 years," says the RM of Estevan website.
"As councillor for Division 6, he will do his best to listen to and address the concerns of his ratepayers, as well as assisting the rest of council in creating a sustainable future for the whole RM. Steve looks forward to creating new economic development opportunities that will support current commercial businesses, as well as working with council to balance current and future budgets. He also strives to create a team environment with staff, council and ratepayers."
