By TERRY PUGH
Gary Philipchuk has been re-elected by acclamation to another four-year term as Mayor of Warman.
Philipchuk was unopposed in his bid for a second term at the helm of the fast-growing city at the close of nominations.
Initially another candidate had submitted a nomination to run against Philipchuk, but that candidate withdrew at the deadline for withdrawal on October 10.
The news that he was acclaimed came as a surprise to the incumbent mayor, who was gearing up to hit the campaign trail.
“I am humbled by the support as I was getting ready for the election,” said Philipchuk on October 10 shortly after he was notified of his re-election. “I had signs ready to go starting at 4:00 p.m. today and pleasantly surprised my opponent withdrew and I was acclaimed for another term as Mayor.”
Philipchuk said he experienced “a wide range of emotions,” including an “overwhelming feeling of gratitude to serve this great community of Warman as their Mayor.”
Incumbent Kent Muench, meanwhile, is being challenged for the position of Martensville Mayor by Travis Sorenson.
The municipal election is set for November 13.
The race for city councillor seats will also be hotly contested in both Martensville and Warman.
A total of 14 candidates are seeking six seats in Martensville, and with four incumbent councillors not seeking re-election, there will be a majority of new faces around the council table when the electoral dust settles.
Current Martensville City Councillors Jamie Martens, Tyson Chillog, Michael Cox and Debbie McGuire have chosen not to seek re-election to city council. (Martens is the Saskatchewan Party candidate in the Martensville-Blairmore constituency in the current provincial election.)
Incumbents Darren MacDonald and Spencer Nikkel are both seeking re-election to Martensville council. The other candidates in the race include: Brad Blixt, Katharine Carter, Tracy Cocks, Bren Hannay, Stephen Ioannou, Mark Knox, Krista McCann, Logan McCorriston, Douglas O’Hara, Derek Reddekopp, Shawn Sampson, and Matthew Stavenow.
In Warman, there are ten contenders for six city council positions.
All six Warman City Council incumbents are looking to keep their seats. They include Douglas Ramage, Marshall Seed, Tracy Johnson, Kevin Tooley, Shaun Cripps and Richard Beck.
The other candidates running for Warman City Council include: Chris Mason, Mathew Thacker, Patrick Turner and Amar Vasani.
RM OF CORMAN PARK
The Rural Municipality of Corman Park has a new Reeve.
Former provincial Cabinet minister Joe Hargrave, a resident of the hamlet of Casa Rio south of Saskatoon, was elected Reeve by acclamation at the close of nominations October 9. Hargrave will step into the role after former Reeve Judy Harwood declined to seek re-election.
Two incumbent councillors in the RM of Corman Park were also elected by acclamation at the close of nominations October 9.
Arthur Pruim in Division 5 and John Germs in Division 1 are both back at the council table for another term after they were unchallenged in their bid for another four year term.
Also elected by acclamation for a two-year term is Steven Balzer in Division 6. A byelection for the division was held in conjunction with the regular election after Division 6 councillor Bas Froese-Kooijenga resigned his council seat last month.
Corman Park will see elections in both Division 3 and Division 7. Division 3 incumbent councillor Lyndon Haduik is being challenged by candidate Sheldon Giesbrecht; while Division 7 incumbent Calvin Vaandrager is running against challenger Lacy Boisvert.