Bridget Fauser
Question
What are, in your opinion, the biggest challenges that Lafleche had faced in last few years? And what are the challenges that it will face in the coming years? What would you do to overcome them?
Answer
- Obviously employee retention seems to be a huge problem.
- Looking forward I see our aging infrastructure to be a very significant issue. We’ll need to address ways to fund replacement and repairs, looking into all possible provincial and federal grants to help with funding so as not to burden the tax payers with ever increasing property taxes.
- Like many small and rural communities our crime rates are rising faster than we’re able to deal with. Citizen safety is a top priority. I think more local RCMP/council town halls would be a starting point. A council focus group dedicated to increasing the amount of engagement with local law enforcement to address issues and find solutions.
Question
If you had an unlimited budget, what are three things that you would do to imrpove the lives of the residents of Lafleche? If, more realistically, your budget was limited, what's the one thing that you'd do?
Answer
Unlimited budget?
- Get to work on infrastructure... sewers, waterlines, resurface streets etc.
- Our children are our future, so bring in more outside-of-school-hours childhood educational, sports and culture opportunities. Both the UofR and the SK Science Centre do satellite clinics during the summer, attracting them to Lafleche would mean children who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend could spend their summers learning in fun ways. Source out more opportunities like those. Increase funding to the library for increased children’s activities.
- Spend more advertising dollars trying to attract more businesses to Lafleche, growing our population along with increased local shopping & services.
Limited budget?
This one is hard, because the three I’ve listed above are so vitally important (along with many more needed improvements) but our infrastructure is aging rapidly and will need to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Question
By looking at the candidates, it's easy to see that we will have for sure a new Mayor and a brand new Council (apart from a couple of members that might be re-elected). Are you worried about the idea of getting into a new role like this and possibly not having the support of people with current experience and knowledge of what has been done in the last few years? Is there anything that you hope will be different, when the new Mayor and Council are elected?
Answer
It was absolutely a top of mind consideration before running. But now I see such a great group of candidates and know that whoever is elected, our new council will have a top notch group of people with such varied life/work experiences that they’ll be able to sort it out and get down to work quickly and effectively.
I hope new council will be more communicative and transparent.
Question
What's your idea about transparency when it comes to institutions? Do you think the current administration is doing a good job at communicating with the people? Is there anything you would change in how the Mayor, Council, and Town Office communicate with people?
Answer
Transparency, communication and accountability are an absolute must in all walks of life. No, I do not think current council has handled those well. Council limits what posts we can reply to, effectively censoring what they want to hear.
Council members cannot be thin skinned. There are always going to be issues some community members won’t agree with and won’t be happy with and will be vocal about. The newsletter that is included with our utility notices could be much more comprehensive, that’d be a great start.
Question
How do you think that your knowledge, skills, and work experience would benefit the Town, if you are elected?
Answer
During my waitressing years I’ve been in management positions, in charge of staffing/ scheduling, front and back of house operations and ordering. I’ve managed hockey teams as well as the Gleeks music troupe for 2 or 3 seasons. I was on the board of directors for the Credit Union as well as the Co-op. I was a member of the inaugural School Community Council. I’ve spent countless hours volunteering with local groups, clubs and committees. I’ve operated two successful businesses. I’ve navigated the intricacies of learning how to successfully sell online.
In short, I have a diverse background in working with others as well as working alone to reach goals and desired outcomes.
Question
Do you think the Town should look at ways to improve the economy? If so, what are your ideas?
Answer
Absolutely! Spend advertising dollars trying to attract and retain more businesses to Lafleche. Also, I’d like to create opportunities to help our citizens build opportunities to scale their own small business or find opportunities to create their own small business. So many great business owners and leaders in our small town that I’m sure some would step forward to help others, maybe town hall format style. Or maybe setting up a Q & A on the town website/facebook page where people could ask questions related to starting/ running a small business with those who have the knowledge answer the questions. Maybe mentor style coaching.
Question
What do you think could be done to improve retention of the Town's employees?
Answer
Well, the new council would need to determine why employee retention is so low. Is it lack of leadership from the top (council?) Poor wages? Poor working conditions? Until the ‘why’ is known, improvement would be difficult.