- Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday August 11th, 2016 8:35 am

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Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday August 11th, 2016 8:35 am

With GX94's Craig Wallebeck > see him @ http://www.gx94radio.com/craig-wallebeck

This week we focus on: Running for Municipal Office  "It doesn't matter how you vote, the important thing is that you vote" Our next general election for urban municipalities (cities, towns, villages) will take place Wednesday October 26, 2016.   "It is important to become involved in your community's affairs and exercise your democratic right to choose the leaders of your community. Nomination Day for cities, towns, and villages will be September 21, 2016.  At least 10 business days before Nomination Day, the Returning Officer will publish and post a Notice of Call for Nominations stating the vacancies to be filled by the election" Who Can Run? Persons eligible for nomination as a candidate in an urban municipality must: be at least 18 years old on Election Day; be a Canadian citizen; have resided in the municipality for at least 3 consecutive months immediately preceding the date nomination paper is submitted; and have resided in Saskatchewan for at least 6 consecutive months immediately preceding the date nomination paper is submitted. Nomination papers must be signed by at least 5 voters of the municipality or ward (if applicable), in urban municipalities with a population of less than 20,000.  An urban municipality or ward with a population of 20,000 or more requires the signatures of at least 25 electors. If your municipality has passed a bylaw requiring candidates to submit a criminal record check it must be filed with the nomination paper.  Running for Municipal Office Running for Municipal Office Understanding the Role, Time Commitment and Powers of Municipal Council The Nomination Process Public Servants Seeking Nomination As A Candidate Or Becoming A Candidate Campaigning for Election    "Understanding the Role, Time Commitment and Powers of Municipal Council As a member of council, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of your municipality.  Any ideas or proposed changes you have in mind cannot be achieved without the support of other council members" Responsibilities A common role of municipal council is to provide essential core services to the community such as: Roads and transportation; Water treatment and sewer facilities; Snow and garbage removal; Recreation facilities and programs; Land use planning and economic development; Building code regulations; Crime prevention; Fire prevention; Animal control; and Emergency planning. "While all of the above responsibilities are important aspects of municipal responsibility, council members are not directly responsible for providing these services"  Council members' individual responsibilities can be broken as follows: Representation and Accountability A councillor's responsibility is to serve the people who elected them to office.  A councillor should engage regularly with the public to take into account the views and concerns of all members of a community when voting on matters of concern. Governance Municipal council is responsible for shaping the future of the municipality by implementing new policy, by-laws and community goals.  Many decisions that council makes are the result of extensive community consultation, research and advice from community members and groups.  It is important for council to remember that they must represent the people who voted them to office.  Failure to do so may result in a limited term in office. Management Members of council are generally responsible for ensuring that municipal staff follows through on the policies, priorities and direction that council has set forth.  Council members should also expect to be active members of committees and boards in the community to ensure that they possess the required knowledge to pass on to council. "When you take office, you will not be starting off from scratch.  There will be local legislation existing in the form of bylaws, which will remain in effect until they are amended or repealed.  It would be a good idea to contact your municipality and become familiar with local legislation prior to running for council so that you have a good idea of what policies exist in your community, and what kind of changes you might want to consider"   Time Commitment "Many, if not most, council members have full-time jobs outside of municipal council.  It's important not to underestimate the amount of time and dedication required to be an effective member or council" "You will either be elected to a four year term of office and expected to participate in monthly (sometimes bi-weekly) council meetings.  Being a member of council, your responsibilities are not restricted to attending regular council meetings"  In addition, you will be expected to attend and participate in: Council committee meetings; Meetings of boards and agencies in which you are appointed as council's representative; Learning workshops, training seminars and conferences; and Cultural, social and public events promoting or representing your municipality. "You may also need to spend a significant amount of time talking to the public, business, colleagues in other municipalities, municipal staff and your administrator.  Continuing interaction with these groups is an essential part of making an informed decision as a council member"  "Municipal council derives their authority from The Municipalities Act, The Cities Act or The Northern Municipalities Act, 2010.  Individual members of council are not permitted to make decisions on their own on behalf of the municipality.  Any election promise you made during your campaign can only be carried out if you can convince a majority of council that it is in the best interest of the municipality"   If you have any questions please contact our town office or myself and we would be pleased to help. Our returning officer, Shirley Jackson has a election memo for all candidates at our office outlining how things will work in Preeceville.    Next week we will look at The Nomination Process   Events: - Aug 17 and 18th - Mackenzie Training Centre Garage Sale - runs 10:30 am - 3:00 pm both days - Annie Laurie Lake Summer Beach Days will be Friday's  August 12 & 19, from 1-4 pm. Everyone is welcome to participate in the fun supervised beach activities such as water fun, sand castle building and beach volleyball. - There will be a Boating Safety Course available. Anyone who wants to purchase course materials for study and then challenge a supervised exam at the Town of Preeceville facility can contact Andrea at 547-2810   - Please come and try the new golf driving range located at Annie Laurie Lake. Range balls can be picked up at Midtown for $5/bucket.   The Upper Assiniboine Visitor's Guide is now online, link also on our landing page. http://www.townofpreeceville.ca/assets/files/Visitor%20Guide%202016%20-%20website.pdf   "One Year away" - CANADA 150 CELEBRATION - PREECEVILLE Strong, Proud and Free In 2017, Canada will mark the 150th Anniversary of Confederation. Preeceville Celebration will be August 4th, 5th and 6th, 2017. Watch for details as they become available. Canada’s 150th website: http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1342792785740/1342793251811 - And as always if you wish to have an event promoted visit and post it to our Community Events Calendar at www.townofPreeceville.ca Follow the Mayor on the town site at http://www.townofpreeceville.ca/default.aspx?page=65&cid=6 follow me on blogspot at http://mayorharris.blogspot.ca/ follow me on facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/mayorgarthharrisfollow me on twitter @https://twitter.com/MayorGartharris follow me on google+ @ https://plus.google.com/u/0/102741942183606627948?tab=wX#102741942183606627948/posts follow me on youtube @https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKyA9eN2gdku8lGSo0WPRWw follow me on instagram @ http://instagram.com/garthrharris