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The Estevan municipal election is gearing up with the final call for nominees later this month, with some of them getting out in the community.
Kirsten Walliser is running for city council again after having worked through the previous four years. She was born and raised in Estevan and currently works as a Registered Nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Walliser says that this time she wants to run to continue helping out the city in a positive way.
"My first time seeking election, I was motivated in part by fear of the future. Like many in our community, I had concerns about what happens when Boundary Dam no longer burns coal and how can City Council make strategic decisions now that would set us up for the future."
"These same reasons still drive my interest, but after serving as a counsellor for the past four years, I can confidently say I'm running for reelection because I love this community and want to continue to lend my knowledge and experience to support good decision making for everyone's benefit."
Coming from the past four years of work on the city council, Walliser says that they've seen positive changes over the past four years with plenty more to do to help the community. That includes getting a deeper understanding of the area to help bring people together.
"For me, curiosity is the key to fostering understanding by my ability to ask questions, look deeper, and gain a clear picture of the motivation behind our community's concerns. Council can address those concerns, but also build a sense of support and belonging within the Community for those of individuals. When people feel valued and supported, it becomes easier to identify the commonalities that unite us rather than the issues that work to divide us."
That will be a big focus for Walliser if she's elected to the new council, with a focus on connections being prioritized.
"There are many hopes and dreams within our community about what the future may hold, but the one idea that underpins them all is the ability to feel safe, understood and connected within our community. Many community members have shared similar sentiments these past few years, all with the theme that they don't feel as connected to the community as they used to.
"Restaurants they used to enjoy, but don't visit anymore. Social events they used to look forward to attending annually but slip by without notice. Volunteer positions that brought personal satisfaction, but they haven't rejoined or even once they're home, they like to stay home."
"This isn't something that Council can address directly, but within our elected role we work with community organizations to rebuild the sense of connection. The block party kit and free citywide registration were two good steps taken this last term to assist community members in creating these connections."
Walliser says that her work with healthcare in the area will be a boon for the new council.
"I view counsel as a knowledge-based position and I find my love of learning lends itself well to reading a report, researching alternatives, visiting with community members, seeking out those additional viewpoints, and debating what Council's next steps should be."
"I also bring a healthcare lens to the decision-making table, looking for ways to improve service delivery and support the health and well-being of those in our Community, but also with my own parents in town and four young children I have a heightened awareness of the intergenerational impact Council decisions have. I'm always looking both at the decisions impact on our community now and how this decision impacts our community in the future."
Walliser says that if elected to the new council she would start by helping the new members of council settle into the role.
She hopes that everyone can take the time to see what candidates are bringing to the table and vote in the election ahead.
"I'm looking forward to this election to be able to go out and cast my vote for people in the community who are committed to serving and supporting each individual who calls Estevan home each election. We the voters, have the ability to co-create the future we want for ourselves and for our children. Please take this opportunity to learn about the candidates and vote for the future you want."