OXBOW — A significant turnout for the upcoming Oxbow municipal election has brought an impressive 17 candidates into the race for six town council seats, a level of engagement rarely seen in a town of just 1,286 residents, according to the 2021 federal census.
Running for council are incumbents Mark Barnes, James Fonstad and Rodrigo Rabanal, and newcomers Derek Adams, Philip Amosah, Amy Backstrom, Kim Friesen, John Hutfloetz, Brad Mayer, Derrick Menzies, Starr Mercer, Sylvia Mohrbutter, Alison Nicholls, Donna Nyeste, Calvin Rosenthal, Ken Swanson and Orlando Vistal.
Doug Pierce was re-elected as mayor by acclamation, as no other nominations were filed as of the deadline in October.
The high number of candidates – over 1.3 percent of Oxbow's population – points to both a rising interest in civic participation and potential dissatisfaction with the current leadership, which some residents feel has not effectively addressed pressing community issues.
While some candidates cheered such a high interest in councillor positions, a high number of hopefuls in an election often signals a combination of community dissatisfaction, a desire for greater representation or increased civic engagement. This can reflect discontent with unresolved local issues, a lack of consensus on key priorities, or a response to political or other polarization within the community.
In some cases, it may also indicate that the barriers to candidacy are low, making it easier for more individuals to run. Additionally, many candidates may feel they have a chance to win if there's no clear frontrunner, or they may see an opportunity to address specific issues affecting the community. Overall, a crowded candidate pool suggests a dynamic, perhaps divided, community eager for responsive and effective leadership.
The Mercury and SaskToday tried looking into the main election-driving issues by approaching some of the community members and candidates and asking for their opinion. By no means does this story speak to every candidate's and every resident's experience, but it rather provides a look at some of the issues that matter for the area.
According to who let their name stand for the Oxbow council election, there are several core issues that are driving candidates to step forward, aiming to address community needs and enhance local governance.
Concerns over public safety and an insufficient police presence have been widely discussed, with candidates like Friesen underscoring the need for stronger law enforcement to curb rising crime and drug issues in town.
Candidates like Mohrbutter and Nicholls expressed enthusiasm for Oxbow's family-friendly environment but acknowledged safety concerns due to a recent increase in crime. Some candidates also voiced concerns about the town's struggle to maintain a police presence, which they believe affects Oxbow's safety and community relations.
The lack of communication regarding the April homicide of Briana Hayes in Oxbow – which resulted in charges against two people – was pointed out as another source of frustration for residents. During the police response tied to the murder investigation, some residents reported feeling left in the dark, with no curfew or protective measures communicated to reassure the community.
Public trust and transparency in financial management and decision-making were also emphasized, with some candidates advocating for more accessible financial records and regular town council updates, aiming to foster a stronger relationship between residents and council. Nyeste noted that she believes "all of the [council] values are lacking confidence by the community at this time."
Other issues include the community's strained relationship with the surrounding rural municipalities (RMs), with the RM of Enniskillen in particular, and a perceived lack of communication between town officials and residents.
Some of this frustration stems from the changes that started in 2022 when the town and the RM of Enniskillen decided to end the office-building agreement. The town then moved its administration to a separate, newly purchased but older building that required work. Resulting in dissatisfaction and further drive to run for the council for some were the expenses, potentially not reasonably high, that were associated with the changes that were covered by taxpayers' money.
Another concern was the lack of transparency on financial decisions made by the town along the way with limited financial information currently available to the public through the town's website – something that candidates said is addressed differently in other municipalities and something they pointed out was a common practice in Oxbow before.
A critical issue is the state of local health care and the Galloway Health Centre's emergency services disruptions, prompting multiple candidates, including Fonstad, to call for a revitalized health-care system in Oxbow. However, Nicholls, who moved to Oxbow over 10 years ago from Toronto, noted "I would especially like to focus on the town's health care. While it's not perfect, it is better health care than I have received in the bigger city centres I have lived in. The health centre and hospital make Oxbow very appealing to potential new community members, and I hope I can help support its success."
Another point mentioned by several candidates is the desire for community growth and business attraction, with Rosenthal supporting efforts to draw in new businesses and diversify the economy, alongside Mercer's call for initiatives to attract and support people and local established and new businesses.
Overall, candidates share a common focus on safety, transparency, health-care improvements and economic growth, highlighting a commitment to fostering a cohesive and resilient community for the future.
The town administration said they cannot comment on the election.
On Nov. 7 at 7 p.m., Oxbow will see an all-candidates' forum hosted at Oxbow Prairie Horizons School and live-streamed on Facebook page. The public can provide questions to candidates via the [email protected] email. See the 2024 , for more about most candidates.
With some issues raised around safety, communication and community relations on the line, Oxbow's voters will face a critical choice on Nov. 13. Look to the for more details on voting.
