Art Pruim is looking to earn a second term as the representative for Division 5 on the RM of Corman Park Council.
Municipal elections, which include odd-numbered divisions in rural municipalities, are slated for November 9.
First elected in 2016, Pruim said the past four years have seen considerable progress in the RM as a whole and his division in particular.
“I think we have moved ahead in the last four years,” said Pruim in an interview. “For example, we have put in place a new bylaw regulating intensive livestock operations (ILOs) and I think that’s a positive step.
“Obviously not every ratepayer will agree with me, and that’s expected, but I’m content to feel that if 70 to 80 per cent of ratepayers are in alignment with me then that’s very reasonable.”
Pruim said under the new bylaw, large ILOs and country residential acreage owners can co-exist.
“It’s not cumbersome for either side,” said Pruim. “Under the new framework, ILOs can grow their businesses and not cause much grief to neighbouring acreages.”
Pruim said the new bylaw, which regulates agricultural operations in the midst of heavily-populated areas, could provide a model for other RMs in the province.
“We laid the foundation for the Ministry of Agriculture to use that ILO bylaw as an example,” said Pruim. “This province, whether people appreciate it or not, is still driven by agriculture and resource industries.”
Pruim said the RM has also made strides in its capital asset management plan.
“We’ve laid a strong financial foundation by creating a 10-year capital asset plan,” said Pruim. “We’re replacing and improving infrastructure assets over time.”
Pruim said his goals include upgrading and paving key high-volume roadways over the long term.
“I’m a strong proponent of taking those heavy cash-flow operating areas of infrastructure, like gravel roads, and turning them into capital asphalt when it’s justifiable,” he said.
Pruim pointed to the recent improvements to Township Road 384 between Martensville and Warman, noting the paving project costs were shared by three municipalities for the benefit of all.
Over the next four years, Pruim said he hopes to have the RM work with its regional partner municipalities to improve surface water drainage.
“Whether it’s flooding in Osler or Martensville or Warman, or flooding on ratepayers’ land in my division of Corman Park,” he said. “All the water has to go through my division to get to the river. It makes sense to connect those flood mitigation initiatives with some irrigation projects.”
Pruim said a long-term plan for flood mitigation is desperately needed.
“At the end of the day, I can’t keep taking calls from ratepayers in my division who get upset when communities are frankly dumping their water down the ditches,” he said. “We have to have a better plan moving forward. I realize it’s a long-term, lofty goal, but we have to get everyone to play in the same sandbox and come up with an overall vision that benefits everyone.”