Ten candidates are seeking six Martensville City Council seats in the November 9 civic election. The following profiles are based on interviews with the candidates and their platforms posted on the City of Martensville website.
Adam Hartle
Adam Hartle has lived in the area for most of his life and in the City of Martensville for the past four years. He said he is running in order to make a difference in the community, bring equality and fairness to the table, and serve residents to the best of his ability.
He said the city needs to plan for sustainable growth. “We need to make sure the community can be ready for anything that comes our way,” said Hartle. “Challenges will always face our community; will we be prepared for them. Do residentshave faith in the current leadership?”
Hartle has experience in management, civil and legal contracts, media relations, health and safety work for corporations, and wildfire response work for Parks Canada. He is a veteran of the Canadian Forces.
“Martensville could become one of the best cities in the nation,” said Hartle. “That being said, there is still work to be done. We need to look at more business incentives to encourage other companies to set up and stay here.”
Keith Murray
Keith Murray has lived in Martensville for the last 15 years.
“I moved here with my family at a time when Martensville was just beginning to grow in leaps and bounds,” said Murray. “It was a good move. I enjoy the community, and I want to be more involved in the decision-making process. We’re headed in the right direction, and I’d like to see that continue. But at the same time, I believe I can bring a new perspective, and new skills, to the council table.”
Murray said his experience in real estate and property management has brought home to him the importance of conscientious decision-making based on solid facts and sound financial budgets. He noted that councillors need to work as a team and use a “common sense” approach to infrastructure, taxation and community services.
Murray said there are many good projects on the go in Martensville, and he wants to see those completed. “I’d like to help take hold of the reins in those specific areas and work with the rest of council and the mayor to move them forward,” said Murray.
Travis Sorenson
Travis Sorenson spent seven years of his childhood in Martensville. He moved back to the community six years ago. He said he wants to see the city continue to grow, but also retain the small town friendly, safe atmosphere and unique identity he remembers so well.
“My reasons for running are simple,” said Sorenson. “We need to be more business-friendly and also put in place a transparent tendering process when it come to public works and infrastructure projects, but at the same time give preference to local companies.”
Sorenson has been very involved in coaching youth sports in Martensville, particularly baseball and soccer .
He said while regionalization is an inevitable trend, he believes the direction of regional growth should not be dictated by Saskatoon as the largest urban municipality.
“Martensville needs to be an equal partner,” he said.
Spencer Nikkel
Spencer Nikkel and his wife moved to Martensville four years ago, before their first son was born. He said the reason they chose Martensville was because of the amenities, the sense of community, and excellent qualify of life.
“This is home for us,” said Nikkel. “Martensville quickly grabbed my heart as a place to put roots down for myself and my family; the perfect mix between small town community and big city opportunity.”
Nikkel said he’d like to have input into the long-term direction for Martensville and to help make it a sustainable, liveable city.
“We have the advantage of being close to Saskatoon, but we need to have more locally-owned businesses here. That creates employment, which in turn attracts more people and helps build a sense of community.”
Nikkel’s professional career started in financial planning before moving to the tech world. He said his experience helps him approach all endeavours with “cautious, well-thought-out planning” and seek innovative solutions to complex problems.
Matthew Stavenow
Matthew Stavenow and his wife moved to Martensville seven years ago.
“Honestly, it didn’t take long to fall in love with the community,” said Stavenow. “We made the decision to raise our family of three children here.”
Stavenow has been involved in sporting and recreational programs, as well as fundraising for local causes, including the new Martensville multi-purpose recreation complex.
“As councillor I’d like to see the first phase of that project completed,” said Stavenow.
He said he wants to bring a “new perspective” to the council table and provide “an active and positive voice for the people of Martensville” in community planning and decision-making. His priorities include economic deployment, addressing the lack of housing or seniors and the continue maintenance and expansion of parks and recreation programs and facilities.
Debbie McGuire
Debbie McGuire has lived in Martensville for 40 years and raised her four children in the community. She coached boys and girls baseball, volleyball and was a leader for the Girl Guide program during those years.
Now retired, she has her own company testing water. She previously worked for the Town, later City, of Martensville for 25 years, including 12 years in the town office and 13 years with public works.
She said she is passionate about her home community. Her motivation for seeking a second term on city council is to work for the best interests of residents, employees and businesses.
“I want to be part of the growth and changes that we are going to encounter in the next 20 years,” said McGuire.
Among her priorities for the next four years are the completion of Phase One of the new multi-purpose recreation complex, and continuing to push for a long-term nursing home for seniors.
Jamie Martens
Jamie Martens is a life-long resident of Martensville who has been involved as a volunteer in numerous organizations over the years.
She said she’s running for a third term on city council because she believes it would be a privilege to serve residents.
“I understand the challenges faced by small municipalities and I look forward in working together to gain knowledge from many municipal leaders, and bring forward new ideas and perspectives,” she said. “I pride myself on listening to the priorities and concerns of citizens.”
Martens said her priority issues are working to alleviate the shortage of housing for seniors; maintaining and improving infrastructure; support for the arts, and attracting new businesses. She also wants to ensure that current municipal projects, including the joint water and wastewater partnership with Saskatoon and the new multi-use recreational complex, are completed.
Michael Cox
Michael Cox and his family have lived in Martensville since 2009. He’s been a teacher and in-school administrator in the Prairie Spirit School Division for 19 years. This fall he began his tenth year as Vice-Principal at Valley Manor School in Martensville.
“I believe my background in administration and serving this term on council will benefit Martensville moving forward,” said Cox, adding he believes in “shared leadership, collaborative decision-making, long-term planning and managing resources.”
He said he strives to be a leader in the community by ensuring the concerns of residents are heard and acted upon.
He said he belives in long-term, fiscally-responsible planning that supports growth and anticipates future needs. Such a plan, he adds, should attract business development “while not creating hardship by significantly increasing taxes.”
Tyson Chillog
Tyson Chillog has served on Martensville council for the last 14 years, including eight years as Deputy Mayor.
A professional firefighter, Chillog said he sees the importance every day of teamwork and compassion.
“My longevity on council has given me the perspective that is needed to achieve our short, medium and long-term goals,” said Chillog.
He pledged to “continue to work diligently” on behalf of residents and businesses to ensure growth and sustainability for the community. He added that residents’ safety and well-being are high priority.
“Investing in our families and supporting our business community is essential,” said Chillog. “Citizens of Martensville require and deserve the same level of services, while council remains fiscally responsible. I’m committed to working toward those goals.”
Darren MacDonald
Darren MacDonald and his wife are lifelong residents of Martensville.
“We love this community so much that we chose to raise our four children here,” said MacDonald.
He holds a Canadian Investment Manger designation and works as an Associate Portfolio Manager.
MacDonald was first elected to City Council in 2012 and was re-elected in 2016. During those years, said MacDonald, Martensville has made significant progress.
“We have new businesses that have opened, new recreation facilities, a high school expansion, two new elementary schools, a new overpass and a skatepark,” said MacDonald.
“We have accomplished a lot but there is still important work to do. It will take prudent fiscal management to ensure we hare getting the most value possible out of our tax dollars.”
MacDonald pledged to keep improving services and facilities while also attracting businesses to the community.