ESTEVAN — The RM of Estevan celebrated one of its long-term and "very special to all" of them members recently.
Lorne Jahn, councillor for Division 1, has dedicated 30 years of his life to serving the needs of the people in the RM of Estevan. The surprise celebration took place during their latest meeting on Jan. 11, but the exact 30th anniversary came on Jan. 12.
To recognize his dedication and impact, the RM named the road where he resides Lorne Jahn Road. During the celebration, Reeve Jason LeBlanc handed Jahn a commemorative sign. And even though he had some hints ahead of time, he didn't catch it and the dedication came as a surprise.
"I was shocked, very shocked," Jahn said.
Talking to the Mercury about his years in local politics, Jahn, first of all, noted that the current council is the best one he's ever seen.
"Today our council is the best council we've had in all the time I've been here," Jahn said. "There's a lot of common sense in this room."
He added that the current council consists of members coming from different paths of life and bringing a lot of diverse knowledge to the board, including successful business experience, which helps a lot. And he, "the historian", adds to that.
Jahn won his first election in October of 1992 but started his first term only in January 1993. Since then, he's participated in and won all elections, remaining councillor for Division 1. He said there was always something that he wanted to get done and he always felt respected, so he kept running and getting elected.
During the latest election, Jahn said he was running since there still were some issues that he thought had to be addressed. For example, he hoped to see taxes going down. But he added that it would be his last term before he retires from council work. At the end of the current term, Jahn will have dedicated 32 years to the people in the RM of Estevan.
And while 32 years will be a long time, he still will come one year short of his grandfather Paul Jahn, who was the councillor for Division 1 for 33 years from 1929-52. His grand-uncle August Jahn also was a part of the RM council from 1911-13, and altogether so far, the Jahns have held their position as councillors for Division 1 for 65 years by 2023.
A lot has changed throughout Lorne Jahn's 30 years on council. Many roads and bridges were built, and many projects were completed. Jahn said as he was looking through his first minutes, he was surprised to see the prices back then and realize how much more everything costs nowadays. He also remembered some of the moves he was a part of throughout his time, which proved to be successful.
"When Peterbilt went out there, John Bachorcik (councillor for Division 6 in 1993) said, 'Why would you let them go onto farmland?'" Jahn recalled. "Well, that farmland was sitting out there, it was alkaline, it wouldn't go six bushels to the acre."
He said trying to keep taxes down and fair was another long-term goal that he's been working on and continues to work on. However, he noted that quite often there is not much the RM can do at their level.
"That's a real sore spot for me – the taxes," Jahn said.
Jahn spent about 40 years working for the mines doing different jobs and holding different positions. He raised buffalo for 25 years with an over 200-head herd at one time and he also raised cattle. But he also recalled that there were times when what kept him alive was beaver trapping.
Jahn said throughout his life he had many dreams, which tended to come true.
"All my life I've had dreams about different things. They all had come true," Jahn shared.
Many years ago, in his dream, he saw marrying a young woman he had just recently met and hardly knew. Soon after that, he asked her out and they were married for 58 years until she passed away in 2020. They raised three children.
Jahn said through his life he's learned to listen and sometimes bite his tongue, but he's always gotten along with everybody.
"You got to realize that you're no better than the next guy and try to get along with everybody. And by doing that you can accomplish something," Jahn shared.
His jobs taught him a lot, preparing him for three decades on the RM council. He said there are a few things that the current council is working on and wants to accomplish, and he likes being a part of that.
