The results of Wednesday’s civic election were bound to create a shakeup for Humboldt’s City Council makeup. With several previous councillors not running and councillor Rob Muench’s pursuit of the mayor’s seat, several spots were opened to newcomers.
One of those newcomers to council will be Karen Siermachesky. Karen’s long involvement in public health and with the community had her poised for a solid run in the election. In a close race, Karen and her fellow contenders waited out the final count. The votes fell in her favour, and she’ll take her seat at the council table for its first meeting of the new term on Monday, November 25.
She said emotions were running high when the final poll came in and she had firmly settled among the top of the vote count.
“Elated, shocked, nervous in terms of the huge responsibility that I’ll be facing over the next four years,” Siermachesky stated. “I do need to thank those that placed their trust in me. It’s so much appreciated, and I'm overwhelmed by the response.”
Siermachesky joins an eclectic group of people from varying backgrounds and perspectives, and it’s one that she sees as having a potential chemistry to do much for the city.
“It’s a very diverse group. Even though we may have varying opinions in terms of how to get to solutions, we will be able to do it respectfully and with the community in mind. I’m very excited about working with these individuals over the next four years.”
As with her counterparts, Karen beat the streets of Humboldt to find out what was top of mind for voters. There was a clear call for transparency from local government – that the community needs to know what’s going on. She heard there needs to be a clear avenue for residents to connect to council for information and to provide potential solutions.
She also heard the repeated refrain about Humboldt’s St. Mary’s Villa.
“We are in desperate need of a new long term care facility. The residents need a new place that they can call home, and I would love to see that happen.”
City council and agencies connected with long term care are anxiously awaiting a response from the provincial government as local fundraising efforts continue.
Siermachesky is hoping to see progress toward establishing a new moderate sized performance art theatre, one to replace the Sutherland Theatre, demolished as part of the Public School renovation over a decade ago. The second ice surface in Humboldt was another frequent ask on the community’s doorsteps.
“Those are a lot of huge projects to work toward, so I’m not sure those things are all going to be accomplished over the next four years, but my priority would be the nursing home.”
Karen congratulated mayor-elect Rob Muench on his return, as well as her new colleagues on council.
“I am so excited about the future and helping to make decisions for the city that I love and the city that I proudly call home.”