By Nigel Maxwell

Former mayor makes bid for big chair in La Ronge

Sep 22, 2016 | 11:58 AM

One of two men vying for the mayor’s chair in La Ronge this fall is someone local residents should be familiar with.

Joe Hordyski has 22 years of experience on council and was the town’s mayor for 12 years prior to Thomas Sierzycki winning the election.

Hordyski said when he heard last June Sierzycki was not seeking re-election, he wanted to throw his hat in the ring.

“I felt it was very important to have somebody that’s got the experience and who has the knowledge of what’s going on with the town,” he said.

Hordyski said Sierzycki did a great job the past seven years, but one thing he would do differently is speed up the administration process.

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“When you are trying to do all these things and get policies, sometimes things get pushed back. I find that people are waiting too long when they are trying to do some developments,” he said.

Another hot issue in the town the past two years has been a hefty utility hike.

In December 2014, town council voted to hike rates 209 per cent over five years. The extra revenue created would help pay for infrastructure.

‘It’s really put a lot of pressure on a lot of people on fixed incomes and I think what I would like to see is to freeze the rates for now and to have the new council review and decide how we are going to meet the obligations,” Hordsyski said.

A third issue on Hordyskyi’s mind is a proposed new multiplex.  The proposal has been in the works for over four years.

“Our existing facility is getting old and will definitely need replacement so the new council will have to keep that in our long term plans and start putting money away for it,” he said.

Ron Woytowich is the other mayoral candidate. He works at the Kikinahk Friendship Centre.

paNOW plans to interview Woytowich in the coming days.

Here is a list of the current councillor candidates:

• Matthew Klassen, Contractor
• Dallas Everest, Business Owner
• Hugh Watt, Business Owner
• Jonathan Watt, Journeyman Electrician
• Amro Khalil, College Instructor
• Marlee Proulx, Teacher
• Jordan McPhail, Technician
• Rex McPhail, Truck Driver
• Tracy Fiske, Realtor
• Glen Watchel, Construction Co-Owner
• Samuel A. Hardlotte, Retired Educator
• Jack Senft, Business Owner

Candidates have until 4p.m. Thursday to withdraw their application.

nmaxwell@panow.com

On twitter: @nigelmaxwell