Ten candidates have put their name forward in the 2024 Municipal Election in Humboldt to serve as a city councillor.
Lee Dufort is one name that will appear on the ballot.
Dufort has been with several businesses in the community and is currently an Ag Specialist with Scotiabank. During his career he has seen firsthand the impact of local small business and agriculture in Humboldt.
With the Humboldt Broncos, Dufort has served in many volunteer roles over 12 years, including President and Vice-President. He also played a large role in Humboldt being named the host site of the 2012 Royal Bank Cup (National Championship) as Governor.
After deliberation over the last few years, Dufort believes now is the right time to run as a City Councillor.
“Exciting times in Humboldt now with future growth and everything we got going on. Just thinking with my background, previous work, I thought it would be a good time to serve and hopefully be elected.”
With the nearby expansion of the BHP Mine. Dufort would like to see an exploration of the plan the city has previously created to deal with growth.
“There was a lot of money spent, a lot of time and effort spent, putting together those reports back in (20)16. There’s a strategic plan that’s already in place, that has all the framework for future growth including land use planning, growth management, infrastructure, economic development, housing, all these things that go along with the growth in our community.”
With these plans in place for over eight years, Dufort wants a reassessment to see if they meet the current demands.
A further examination in the city’s sanitary sewer system is another item Dufort would like to see. He noted that some of areas are dealing with old pipes.
He feels the Humboldt’s storm sewer system is in good shape, highlighting the Carl Schenn and Uniplex Dry Ponds, the new pipe system near A.E. Kilcher Park and the new lagoon.
Other infrastructure items that will require further discussion to determine a budgeting value includes a second ice surface in Humboldt, possible modifications to the Elgar Petersen Arena and a public transportation system.
“As with all communities with ongoing infrastructure issues, you got to deal with them, dollars and cents, where are they going to come from?”
Any new members of council should seek guidance not only from possible incumbents, but also the city's administrative staff to determine the decisions needed from council.
“At the end of the day, we’re making these important decisions and using them to follow through on it.”
Relaying the voice of the residents is an important aspect of serving on city council says Dufort.
“You want to listen, you want to hear what they have to say, they are your taxpayers, it’s their tax dollars you’re working with, you have to have that open communication with everyone.”
Dufort says providing a response to community is a required task for council.
“Whether it’s an answer they want to hear or not, that’s part of the tough job I guess of being on council.”
The municipal election is Wednesday, November 13.
You can listen to Dufort's full conservation with Discover Humboldt's Maury Wrubleski below.