By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Advance
When the residents of Castor go to the polls on Oct. 18, for the general municipal election, they will not be lacking choices.
With 10 candidates running for the seven seats on Castor’s Town council, last week five of the candidates were introduced, including three incumbents and two new candidates. This week we will review the remaining incumbent candidate and the four remaining new candidates who are all looking to secure votes in the upcoming election.
Brenda Wismer
Wismer is the last of four incumbents running in the 2021 general election.
Living in the community since she was in Grade two, Wismer grew up in Castor and raised her children here.
“I think we’re friendly. We have great recreation programs. We have doctors,” said Wismer.
“I just really love my community, and I really enjoy being on Town council and trying to represent the people.”
While not usually one of the most vocal of councillors, Wismer feels she has more left to do, and has served so far with “integrity and accountability.”
With infrastructure “getting old” she believes that council has to find the funds to balance the budget, maintain services, and meanwhile not make it a hardship on ratepayers.
Shawn Peach
Peach is another of six new candidates running for council in 2021.
A resident of Castor for the last eight years, Peach has been heavily involved with the curling club board, an experience that he feels will greatly benefit him if he were to serve on Town council.
“With the experience I’ve had on the Castor Curling Club board, with what I’ve learned the last two years, it was a good time to challenge myself to run for council,” said Peach.
“I’ve been involved with many groups and organizations in our town and surrounding area. I’ve been greatly accepted into this community as a resident.”
According to Peach, “The people, the attitudes, and the love of the town,” make Castor stand apart from a lot of other communities, and if elected he wants to work with council to, “Build our community, making sure our parks and everything that make this community a good place to live (are maintained).”
Mike Bozek
Bozek has deep roots in Castor, having been raised in the community, and his plans have him remaining here long-term.
After serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, he has returned his family to the community of his youth, so that him and his wife can raise their son.
“We’re a community that fosters the growth and well-being of all the residents,” said Bozek.
“I understand small communities face unique challenges; however, I believe through effective collaboration and decision-making, it is my stance that we can strive to maintain our community’s infrastructure, emergency services, and facilities to maintain a high level of service to our residents.”
With his military experience, Bozek feels that he has “attributes and insights” that would help him as a councillor. Attributes examples include integrity, honesty, and respect.
Priorities if elected include operating and maintaining the municipal infrastructure at a, “High standard, because at the end of the day that is what attracts people to our community.”
Cecil Yates
Yates is a contractor who has lived in the community for the last 15 years, and he is running to represent the part of the community south of the highway.
“There’s no one running on the south end of town,” said Yates.
“I figured I’d try and represent that part if I could. I just want to be able to work with the other councillors on the day-to-day stuff.”
Yates feels with his contracting background, he could provide added experience and oversight to community-led construction projects.
He also feels that working with different clients every day also has prepared him to serve on council.
If elected, a priority for him would be to, “See more activities for families to do in town, such as a spray park, or something like that.
“I feel I should give something back,” said Yates.
“I’ve lived here 15 years this last go. It’s a beautiful little town, and I would like to see it prosper.”
Anthony Holland
A self-described, “Guy that knows how to put ideas and dreams into some sort of plan and action,” Holland is the final candidate in contention for Castor’s Town council.
“I’ve been living in town since 2008,” said Holland.
“I have a strong connection to the town; it’s my wife’s stomping grounds.”
Holland, a big community supporter, volunteers where he can in the community to sustain the small-town kind of lifestyle.
An entrepreneur, multiple business owner, and church board member, Holland feels he has the experience to enter the realm of municipal politics.
“I’m a rookie,” said Holland.
“I’m willing to sit and learn the process, see how things go, adding my two-cents when I feel they are needed.”
The municipal election in Castor will take place between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Oct. 18, at the Castor Community Hall. In addition to the vote for Castor Town council, residents will be asked to vote to elect a new member to Canada’s Senate, as well as answer two provincial referendum questions.
The first referendum question asks: “Should section 36(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982 – Parliament and the government of Canada’s commitment to the principle of making equalization payments – be removed from the constitution?”
The second referendum question asks, “Do you want Alberta to adopt year-round Daylight Saving Time, which is summer hours, eliminating the need to change our clocks twice a year?”
All residents voting in the general election will be required to present valid identification proving residence in the community, such as a driver’s licence, income, or property tax assessments, etc.