Estevan's mayoral race is seeing one candidate step into city politics for the first time with Zacch Vandenhurk stepping up.
Vandenhurk says that he's running as he's passionate about helping people in Estevan.
"I see people struggling to be happy with the given circumstances, you know, from our previous leadership, whether it be federal, provincial or even just local. So I made my decision based on my experience to make light of all the situations and just not to reflect on so much negativity that's going on around us."
Vandenhurk says that he really started paying attention to politics following the impact that federal leadership has had on Estevan.
Since he's announced his campaign he's been reaching out to community members and leaders like the reeve of the RM of Estevan to get a better sense of what needs to be done.
"I've reached out to these guys for some more knowledge, some more experience because those guys are huge assets to our community. They're very well known for being a big part of our community and so with that, they've kind of heightened my senses on politics, and now I find myself a lot more knowledgeable in it and I can deliver that towards the community, that knowledge, and possibly use that little bit of brain power that I have to find solutions that will make everyone suitable in this community."
In order to better work with the community and promote unity Vandenhurk says he'd let people know they're being heard.
"I plan to use the largest actions which would be like creating unity happiness within our city and honesty, integrity, transparency and most of all communication. The people of Estevan, they need to know that they're being heard, they need to know that they're being listened to and that they have a voice when they want to speak their mind."
If he ends up in the mayor's seat Vandenhurk says that a big priority for him would be looking after the healthcare situation in town, particularly around maternal and newborn care.
"Coming from me as a family man with two young kids, I know what it's like to have to travel for any type of labour, like I don't have to physically do it, but I mean my wife did. What I'm saying that is we don't have a physician here to deliver labour. So now we got women that have to suffer a long drive or have to situate themselves out of town in Regina there for days on end and that's just not feasible to me."
As someone who's worked as a wedding DJ for almost 20 years, Vandenhurk feels that he can sense what a crowd wants and needs and can translate that to helping run the city.
Vandenhurk also wants to raise revenues if elected mayor and take a crack at the city's budget.
"We are taught at a young age to pay our bills first and we worry about the wants later. There are many issues at hand that have the same type of severity, but I need to get aware of what we have available before making those large decisions and moving forward, I need to do this in the best interest of not just the city but or the Council, but specifically the people and this is a huge thing to me."
Vandenhurk praised the work of his opponents, Rebecca Foord and Anthony Sernick, while saying that a fresh face in the mayor's seat could be what Estevan needs.
"As I grew better, stronger and smarter I have a job to do and that's to earn the trust within the community and even though these are just words right now I could promise one thing is that I will work tirelessly and devote everything that I have to earn the trust of the people and the community of Estevan. I want the people of Estevan to proudly say that Zacch Vandenhurk is our mayor and we are satisfied with what he is doing. I will be a great leader and I know deep down that this is exactly what the city needs."