The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor Eight candidates. Six vacancies. One election. With Mayor Bruce Fidler already acclaimed, Creighton voters will head to the polls Oct. 24 to elect a new town council. Here is a look at the candidates: Don Aasen After nine years on council, Don Aasen knows there is still work to be done. Asked about his top priority, Aasen cites economic development as well as the need for a nurse practitioner to work with residents. The nurse practitioner, Aasen says, would likely be based out of the provincial building. It's a position he and council have already been lobbying to secure for the community. A Creightonite for the past 20 years, Aasen is proud of the work council has done. 'I feel that we've done, I think, quite a good job of guiding the Town of Creighton,' he says when asked about his reason for running again. 'I'd like to see it continue.' Aasen works as a process technologist for Hudbay. Neal Andrusiak New to politics, Neal Andrusiak says his top priority would be determined as part of his learning curve if he is elected to town council. That said, Andrusiak does see a need to do more for elderly residents, including looking at additional manor-type housing for them. Andrusiak had thought about running for council prior to this year but felt that he was perhaps too young. 'I'm getting a little older now and it would be a good learning experience and (chance to) help out the town with whatever I can,' says Andrusiak. A truck driver and serviceman for Stittco Energy Ltd., Andrusiak has lived in Creighton for all but a couple of the last 47 years. Lorene Bonnett Lorene Bonnett has a simple answer when asked about her top priority if elected to town council for the first time. 'Listening to the people,' replies Bonnett, a retired Northlands College senior program coordinator. Bonnett, a Creighton resident since 1976, says she has always wanted to get more involved in her community. 'I sat on (Creighton) School Board for a number of years, so I understand the school system, plus I'm an educator,' Bonnett says. 'So I have always had an interest in what goes on at the town, but I've never had the time to do it.' Now that she's retired, Bonnett feels that she has the time to put in as an alderwoman. Valery Dixon The longest-serving member of council, Valery Dixon is seeking a 10th consecutive term. 'I enjoy being on council. I enjoy being involved in the community and so that's one way I can be involved,' says Dixon, who has been on council since 1985. In terms of a top priority, Dixon says 'I don't know if I have a top one _ I think all of them combined (are important).' Dixon says Creighton needs to develop more lots, maintain its infrastructure, ensure the town is viable and continue to work to acquire a personal care home for elderly residents. 'We need one here,' Dixon says of a care home. A retired Creighton Community School teacher, Dixon has lived in Creighton since 1972. Darren Grant When asked why he is again putting his name on the ballot, Darren Grant says his answer is the same as when he first ran in 2009. 'The main reason I'm running is just to be involved with the community and my interest in politics,' says Grant, who is coming off his first term as an alderman. Asked about his top priority, Grant says he would like to see Creighton work with surrounding communities on cost-sharing services for residents as well economic development. Grant speaks of 'making sure we can do the best that we can with what we've got' and of 'being as smart as we can with our budget.' A funeral director, Grant has lived in Creighton for four and a half years. Jeff Lane Jeff Lane knows what direction he wants to take if voters choose to give him a second straight term. Asked about his top priority, Lane mentions the need for a care home for seniors, continued paving, and sidewalks for two streets. 'We definitely need some sidewalks for Collins (Street) and Elander (Avenue) because there's so many kids there and because of safety reasons,' says Lane. Lane, who has called Creighton home since 1995, says he is running because he enjoys dealing with people and working to improve the community. A retired maintenance worker with the Flin Flon School Division, Lane says he has learned a lot from his three years on council. Shirley Owen Shirley Owen enjoyed her term as an alderwoman years back. Now with her retirement looming, she hopes to return to the council table. Owen's top priority would be working to improve health services offered to residents and overcome cross-border challenges related to health care. 'Other than that I'm really happy with the way our town is run,' says Owen, who has called Creighton home since 1968. Owen was working full-time when she joined council in the late 1980s. She did not have as much time to dedicate to the job as she would have liked. Owen is running again because she feels she will soon have that time. Her last day as secretary-treasurer of the Creighton School Division will be Jan. 18. Jarrett Toffan Jarrett Toffan wants uninterrupted cell coverage along the Hanson Lake Road between Creighton and Smeaton. In fact, that would be his top priority if elected. 'It's a major safety concern for our residents and our visitors to town,' says Toffan. Cell coverage already exists between Smeaton and both Prince Albert and Saskatoon, two communities frequented by residents for medical reasons, Toffan said. Toffan, a supply chain specialist with Hudbay, says he is running for council 'to make a change.' Creighton is getting older, Toffan says, and he wants to be part of a younger generation to get involved. Toffan was born and raised in Creighton and has lived there all but six years of his life.
