By TERRY PUGH
For the first time in 12 years, Kent Muench is facing an electoral challenge for the Mayor’s chair.
In 2012, Muench was elected Mayor of Martensville in a landslide win over two other candidates. He had already served as a city councillor for nine years prior to that election. He was re-elected by acclamation in the 2016 and 2020 civic elections.
This time around, the three-term incumbent mayor is being challenged by Travis Sorenson for the position. The municipal election is slated for Wednesday, November 13.
Martensville residents got an opportunity to hear both candidates at a forum organized by the Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce in Martensville on Wednesday, October 23.
Muench, a superintendent with the Prairie Spirit School Division said he’s focused on improving the quality of life for residents in Martensville.
“We were involved in many things while the boys were growing up,” said Muench during the candidates forum, adding he coached sports that his kids were involved in. But, now that they’re grown, he said he remains committed to the community with a different focus and a “reinvigorated” passion.
“I believe in shared leadership, collaboration and listening to everyone,” said Muench. “The best way to move forward is through nurturing regional partnerships and relationships.”
Muench said in order to build and maintain the type of amenities needed for a growing population, municipalities in close proximity need to work together to everyone’s best advantage.
“We only have a limited amount of taxpayer dollars,” said Muench. “Because we don’t want to cut services, and we need to continue to build and maintain infrastructure. So to leverage the taxpayer dollars we have and going forward, we have to look at the region as a whole and build those relatinships. In order to do that, we need frank and honest conversations, and I think that’s one of my strengths – bringing people together.”
Muench said one of the challenges facing the city in the next few years is paying increased costs for policing. Currently, the city pays 70 per cent of the RCMP bill, while the federal government picks up 30 per cent. But, once the city’s population hits a threshold of 15,000 (it’s currently over 11,000), the city will be responsible for 90 per cent of the RCMP costs.
“There are also increased pressures on our actual physical space in the police building,” said Muench. “So we will need to work with our neighbours to make sure we continue to have a strong police presence here.”
Sorenson spent his early years in Martensville before moving to a small town near Wynyard in 1990. He moved back to Martensville in 2014.
“When I see a problem I try to fix it,” said Sorenson. “I ran for city council in 2020 on a certain issue, but that’s not why I’m here today. I believe it’s time to move forward and make the best of the situation.”
Sorenson said he sees the role of city council as everyone working in the best interests of the community as a whole, even when individual councillors disagree on certain issues.
“At the end of the day you have to move forward,” said Sorenson.
Sorenson said budget choices are never easy for city council, but suggested there may be ways of finding efficiencies. He said he would re-examine the contract between the city and Nustadia for the management and operations of the new recreational facility if elected.
“Our management team in the community can manage it on its own,” said Sorenson. “After the facility gets up and running, the city can learn to make it work and we can perhaps phase out the contract with Nustadia at that point. We could take that money and put it towards possibly financing water lines on both sides of the street for the industrial area around 9th Street North. That’s a big component for growth. As for policing, we need to keep the RCMP.”
Sorenson said in the short term, he would work to have a pedestrian walkway on the overpass to connect with the new recreation facility.
In the longer term, he added, as the city continues to grow to the west, he would work to ensure equal treatment for residents and businesses on both sides of Highway 12.
KENT MUENCH BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION (from www.martensville.ca)
I’m Kent Muench, and I’ve had the privilege of serving as Martensville’s mayor for three terms. My wife, Carrie, and I have called Martensville home since 2001, raising our three children here and building strong connections within the community. As a lifelong educator, I’ve always valued collaboration, transparency and community engagement,” said Muench in his biography posted on the City of Martensville website. “I’ve worked closely with residents and council to make meaningful improvements in our city. By actively listening to the community and collaborating with council and other stakeholders, we’ve completed important projects that reflect the needs and aspirations of Martensville. I believe the best ideas come from working together and I’ve always strived to create an inclusive environment where everyone’s voice is heard.
“Looking ahead, I’m committed to continuing this progress by improving infrastructure, growing our economy, and enhancing our quality of life.. I’d be honoured to have your support. Together, we’ll keep Martensville moving forward.”
TRAVIS SORENSON BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (from www.martensville.ca)
“Hi. I’m Travis Sorenson. I am a single father of two amazing children. I am active within the community as a youth sports coach, hockey coordinator and organizer for community initiatives.
“My reason for running for mayor is both simple and complex,” said Sorenson in his biography posted on the city’s website. “I see a City Hall that has double standards when it comes to business, a City Hall that is reactionary instead of proactive and a City Hall that has lost touch with what makes this community great. I believe that Martensville is a great community and we need to preserve its heart and soul. Our current trajectory is leading towards a community divided, both figuratively and literally by a twin-laned highway. What I offer is honesty, transparency, fairness and community stewardship.”