Nicole Goldsworthy
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SaskToday.ca
LA RONGE — Residents will head to the polls this fall to elect a new council member. Four candidates are seeking the seat in the Oct. 8 by-election.
Ken Beaven
“As an Indigenous person, I’m proud to have grown up in La Ronge,” Beaven said.
“My wife and I are raising our children here too. We are small-business owners who value giving back to our community.
“I’ve been involved with La Ronge minor hockey since my youth and, for the past eight years, as a parent, keeping our youth involved in sports and organized extracurricular activities. This is paramount to building a healthy and vibrant community.
“We have seen, and will continue to see, an influx of new residents in our area. We need planning in place for housing, commercial development and youth programming to attract and retain people for the long term.
“If elected, I look forward to serving the community.”
Cody Docken
Docken is originally from Beauval but has been in the community off and on for the last 20 years.
“I’ve called it home for the past three years,” Docken said. “I was most recently the manager with the La Ronge Regional Housing Authority, but I have recently moved into a non-profit role to support people in achieving safe and secure housing options. Because of the experience I have gained, I would love to be considered for town council.
“I see the issues in our community and would welcome the opportunity to help achieve the goal of a cleaner, healthier La Ronge.”
Bruce Skilliter
“I was born and raised in Hudson Bay, Sask., and moved to La Ronge in 1977, where I worked in construction before starting a career with SaskPower in 1979 as a power line technician,” Skilliter said. “This career took my wife, Janice, and me to Buffalo Narrows, Uranium City, Kindersley and La Ronge.
“We were lucky to return to La Ronge every summer to spend time at our cabin before moving back permanently in 2010. I retired from SaskPower in 2014 and started a consulting business, which includes safety training and a power line fundamentals course that runs every spring at Northlands College, training technicians to work across the province.
“I love the town and hope to make a positive contribution. By running as a candidate for town council, I feel I am approachable, open to discussion and able to represent community members’ best interests.
“I am interested in working on solutions to make recreation in our tri-community accessible for all. I believe all people should be treated with respect and dignity, and I am committed to improving life for unhoused residents. I also feel education is important to create employment opportunities for those without jobs, and I would like to explore how the town can help keep education a priority.”
Glen Watchel
Watchel has lived in La Ronge since 1991. Married with two daughters and seven grandchildren, he says he is committed to improving quality of life in the North. His priorities include addressing housing shortages and creating more job opportunities for northerners.
An advance poll will be held Oct. 1 from noon to 7 p.m. at the Town of La Ronge office, 1212 Hildebrand Drive.
Election day voting takes place Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at designated polling places. Eligible voters must be at least 18, Canadian citizens, and residents of Saskatchewan for at least six months. They must also have lived in La Ronge or owned assessed property in the town for at least three months before the election.
