In order to get to know the candidates a little better, we prepared the following three questions and e-mailed them to all the candidates:
- What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Edson town council?
- From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Edson?
- What is your number one promise to the residents?
There are 10 people running for council in the Town of Edson: Krystal Baier, Trevor Bevan, Gean Chouinard, Marsha Jensen, Charl MacPherson, Ed Moore, Greg Pasychny, Troy Christian Sorensen, Peter Taylor, and Doug Woodhouse. What follows are their answers.
Krystal Baier
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Edson town council?
I just spent the past 4 years listening and serving our Community on Edson Town Council. I have pushed for more open transparency and accountability along with efficient spending on our assets, such as road maintenance and renovating and repairing buildings. I am young, and of the average age of residents in Edson. I bring a youthful view to the table and along with my kids, have a long-term vested interest in ensuring our youth have a great place to grow up.
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Edson?
Ensuring we are repairing and maintaining our assets as well as ensuring we have opportunities for the youth. Being under or not exceeding our budget for the new multiplex is also coming up when I have been out door knocking.
What is your number one promise to the residents?
Listen. I promise to listen in order to understand your perspective.
You can find out more about Krystal Baier from her Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/KrystalBaierEdsonTownCouncil
Trevor Bevan
Trevor Bevan did not respond by our deadline. You can e-mail him at trevrita@gmail.com.
Gean Chouinard
Gean Chouinard did not respond by our deadline. You can find out more about him from his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Gean-Chouinard-for-Town-Council-2021-347107485420702
Marsha Jensen
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Edson town council?
I have worked for both Federal and Provincial governments in various capacities, which has given me first hand insight and knowledge as to how funding and governance works in relation to municipal governments. I have a financial accounting background which lends itself to collaborative budgeting and forecast planning. I have an extensive history of volunteering and have sat on many boards in executive capacities, and I enjoy working with people and finding common ground in working towards collective goals.
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Edson?
In speaking with residents, it seems infrastructure, taxes and the MultiPlex. This has been an incredibly challenging time for everyone, and we have all had to tighten our proverbial belts in some way or another. Because the country, and the province has amassed so much debt, we as a municipality are going to have to get creative with our budget, because the money that was once available to us in those capacities is just not going to be as accessible. It is going to take a clear plan and some strict guidelines to take us into the future.
What is your number one promise to the residents?
Without question, my number one promise to the residents is to re-establish a Seniors Outreach system, whereby seniors have a place to turn to, call, contact, if they find themselves seeking information, assistance navigating government forms or websites, a place they feel safe coming when they just aren’t sure where to turn. This could mean ensuring they are getting the benefits they are entitled to, help filling out pension forms, or finding services they require. This is something that Edson used to have, and it was very highly utilized, I commit to revitalizing this.
You can find out more about Marsha Jensen from her Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/jensenforcouncil
Charl MacPherson
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Edson town council?
- Organized and planned divisional teacher’s institute for many years.
- Helped plan and organized teacher’s convention in area from Jasper to Edmonton through Northlands
- Served on many ATA committees
- Local & provincial:
- Help plan & mark PAT exams
- Have worked with different viewpoints to achieve consensus
- This involves: collaboration, cooperation, and communication.
- I enjoy learning.
- I am fiscally responsible
- I enjoy working with people
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Edson?
Infrastructure such as roads, water, and sewage
Need to stay focused on basic infrastructure as we are built on musket so ignoring roads and potholes makes fixing them 3 years later more challenging.
Open, transparent government
- Less in-camera sessions
- Acknowledge special interest groups when funding them
- Be forthcoming on contentious issues such as field house/new rec plex such as location, present costs and tax implications.
What is your number one promise to the residents?
Until we are able to restore the 10% cut council dealt their employees, I will move Town Council also take a 10% cut and refuse the 2022 pay raise. Fiscal responsibility is key.
You can find out more about Charl MacPherson from her Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Charl-MacPherson-for-town-council-103042015485627
Ed Moore
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Edson town council?
While I have never been on council I covered Edson Town Council for the Edson Leader newspaper for 32 years. So I have seen, and have been familiar with the various councils and its members over the years. So I think this gives me a distinct advantage over other newcomers that are running for council.
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Edson?
The bread and butter items for many people are roads and infrastructure. Drivers appreciate pothole-free roads, and thoroughfares which are well maintained. Property taxes are a concern. I will strive to keep taxes as low as possible because my wife and I are taxpayers as well. Edson has a homeless problem as do other centres. I would like to see more homeless accommodations added, and I would like to see council move on housing incentives for seniors. The gray wave is coming, and we’ll need more than senior’s lodges to accommodate them.
What is your number one promise to the residents?
My number one promise is to work for all Edson residents, regardless of economic status. I am approachable and am used to communicating with people thanks to my 32 years of journalism experience and eight years of radio experience.
For more information, you can e-mail Ed Moore at edward.2@telus.net or phone him at 780-728-5667.
Greg Pasychny
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Edson town council?
I have 13 previous years on Edson’s town council, so I have a very good understanding of the role, I will bring back that experience and community knowledge that has been missing in the last term.
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Edson?
Residents want the Proposed Multi Use facility, but I have heard a lot of concerns about price and location. Infrastructure is on almost everybody’s platform and there is a reason for that, people are noticing how quickly the roads, trails and sidewalks have started to fail with such little investment in maintenance.
What is your number one promise to the residents?
I don’t make promises, I make commitments and I am committed to being a strong voice for our rate payers, local businesses and that I will bring sound common sense decisions to the council table.
You can e-mail Greg Pasynchy at votepasychny@gmail.com
Troy Sorensen
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Edson town council?
Above all, I have lived and worked in Edson for over 24 years, raising 3 beautiful kids, opening businesses, and volunteering on numerous boards. I am very active in youth activities, coaching football and martial arts, and have lead youth on international aid projects showing them the importance of hard work, and gratitude for the amazing life we have in Edson. As a real estate broker I am very aware of our economic state and trends, and the tough times facing families in our community. As an incumbent Councillor, I know the financial realities of our Town budget, and understand the infrastructure deficit that we must continue to tackle every year.
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Edson?
The Covid-19 pandemic is our biggest issue right now, with many lives and businesses at risk, however it shouldn’t really be an election issue if the province took leadership on its responsibility. The key municipal election issue for Edson is our infrastructure needs. The new Asset Management Plan showed that our facilities are deteriorating fast with the poorest grades, as such the completion of the Multi-use Facility is top priority for the next council. I am proud that our Council was able to come to an excellent agreement with the county, obtain over $20 million in grants for the project, and prepare the project for tender. Shovels should be in the ground in late spring, but there are still many hurdles that the new council will have to overcome to make sure this project is a reality.
What is your number one promise to the residents?
I promise to listen to the residents and always make decisions based on the long-term benefit of the community, not to the benefit of any particular Council.
You can find out more about Troy Sorensen from his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/TroySorensenForEdson
Peter Taylor
What skills and experience do you have that makes you the right fit for Edson town council?
First and foremost, Edson is my home and I am passionate about making Edson the best place to live. For the past 15 years I have volunteered with different organizations in an effort to improve the quality of life in Edson. I have also been heavily involved in municipal and provincial campaigns for the past 20 years. In addition, I have a keen interest in the municipal governance of Edson as I read the weekly agenda packages for Council and Committee of the Whole meetings. Doing this has kept me apprised of important and ongoing issues in the Town. As a high school Social Studies Teacher I spend a lot of time with my students working on current events relating to local, provincial, federal and global politics that will give me a solid base of pressing issues facing our Town. Finally, on a personal level, I enjoy talking with people (I have been door knocking daily since the campaign began) and listening to their concerns. I want to bring these concerns to the Council Table, as well as use my “people skills” to work with the various volunteers on the different Town-appointed committees and boards to improve Edson’s quality of life. Putting all this together, I know I can make an active and positive contribution to Edson Town Council.
From your perspective, what are the key election issues in Edson?
There are two key election issues that have come up repeatedly while I’ve been door knocking in Edson: the multiplex and road maintenance. Both of these issues fall into my platform of “Enhancing Facilities and Infrastructure”. I will speak more on the multiplex in the third question. As for road maintenance, this is an issue that has come up during each and every municipal election since I moved to Edson 19 years ago. It is clear that our roads need work, however I think it is about time we got more creative at solving our road issues. Edson lives on a very different terrain and we need to find new ways to correct our road issues so we are not fixing the roads over and over again. Let me be clear, I believe the staff at Public Works does an outstanding job, but they can only work under the direction that they are given. Council needs to get creative to solve the road issues so that we are one step closer to fixing our infrastructure.
What is your number one promise to the residents?
My number one promise to residents is to see the multiplex become a reality. Talking to residents, a number of people have concerns. One is the $70 million cost. However, through different grants and partnerships, including a $20 million federal grant, the actual cost to the Edson taxpayers is $9 million through a debenture. Essentially, we are getting a $70 million facility for $9 million. In addition, if we change or alter this facility, then we will lose $20 million from the federal government. This is not something I am willing to do. Another concern is that many people preferred the original more central location of Griffiths Park instead of the Hillendale location, however there are a number of issues with the land that would increase the cost. That said, if elected, I am going to raise this concern and ensure that wherever we place the facility, we as the taxpayer get the best bang for our buck. And finally, we need this facility – according to the 2017 Edson & Area Community Services Strategic Plan, all of our facilities have reached their end of life. Building new is the only alternative. This in turn will help attract families to move to Edson and most importantly meet the needs of our residents and help make Edson the best place to live, work and raise a family.
You can find out more about Peter Taylor from his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/PeterTaylorForEdsonTownCouncil
Doug Woodhouse
Doug Woodhouse did not respond by our deadline. You can e-mail him at dougfortowncouncil@gmail.com.
