Oct. 26: Wednesday has seen a number of Weyburn residents cast their votes on who they'd like to see as Weyburn's next city council.

As of 1 p.m., turnout has been strong and steady at the four polling stations across the city.

Polls close at 8 p.m. and Discover Weyburn will update as results come in.

Below you can find short profiles on the candidates and what they hope to bring to the table as the next mayor, councillor or school board trustee.


Oct. 24: There was a strong turnout in advance polling for the Weyburn civic election.

Four hundred and forty eight people cast their ballots on Saturday afternoon and Thursday evening.

That's more than double the average from the last few elections.

There are 2 candidates for mayor, and 14 running for the 6 seats on council.


Debra Button

Incumbent Debra Button has held Weyburn's office of mayor for three consecutive terms. She was first elected to council in 1997, and ran in the election because she wanted to have a voice at the table within her community.

Outside of the mayoral position, Button has worked for the Sun Country Health Region for 30 years. She was born and raised in Weyburn and municipal politics became a passion for her throughout the years.

"I don't believe that now is the time for a change," she told Discover Weyburn. 

"Now is the time to have strong leadership at the top and to understand that if you change council, you still need a strong leader at the top and together, council and the mayor make those decisions."

Button is the first female president of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA), and said she has built relationships with other municipal and provincial elected officials through this position. She was also elected to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Initiatives: Funding for a water reservoir, outside of the Weyburn tax base; moving a recycling program forward; upgrading quality of life in Weyburn, with a focus on recreation services.


Marcel Roy

Marcel Roy is running for Weyburn's office of mayor for his first time. He served with the Weyburn Police Service for 32 years, has been providing safety training within the oil field since 1992 and takes his safety training overseas as well.

"I feel that I've experienced a lot, I've got a lot to offer the city in the way of leadership and the way of looking direction, (and) being open to new change," Roy told Discover Weyburn.

Roy believes Weyburn has stagnated and needs change in political leadership, which is one of the cornerstone reasons he put his name on the ballot.

If elected, Roy said he will guide and coach council in a new direction; welcoming new business development and encourage entrepreneurship.

"We keep the direction going, we figure out what the citizens want, we see how we can fulfill those dreams that the citizens have and keep our city, this vibrant rural community, that we've built throughout the years."

Initiatives: Developing local businesses; eliminating roadblocks for entrepreneurs; fixing water quality; better transparency and accountability of municipal government; support emergency services such as medical, fire and police.


Jeff Chessall

Jeff Chessall has lived in Weyburn his whole life and has been heavily involved in the community for a number of years - through both business and volunteerism.

"I feel the City of Weyburn is ready for fresh, new ideas at city hall. Being a business owner for over 10 years in Weyburn, I know that I can bring a young business mind to city council," he told Discover Weyburn about why he chose to run.

Chessall started a full-time career at New Age Electronics, where he eventually became a business partner and later started New Age Motors.

He currently sits as president of the Weyburn Young Fellows, has been on the board of directors and sat as president on the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce. As well, he currently sits on the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas board and the Weyburn Family Place board.

"I know the community of Weyburn has been asking for change," he said, adding he would like to see continued growth in services as well as in the business sector.

Initiatives: Parks and recreation; emergency services; water, sewer and infrastructure; growth with new and existing businesses;  residential, commercial and industrial developments.


Brad Wheeler

This is Brad Wheeler's first time running for council. He moved to Weyburn in 1973, spent some time in Alberta, but came back to the city to raise a family.

"I love Weyburn and I think Weyburn is a great community and I think it's time to actually step up and do something to help Weyburn, build a future of Weyburn for generations after mine," he told Discover Weyburn. "It's just a great place to live."

Wheeler has been in the oil industry most his life and currently works for Cenovus Energy. He wants to help bring other amenities to Weyburn and give the city a business friendly atmosphere.

"The decisions made within city council impact everybody and the primary focus is doing what's best for Weyburn as a whole. So, it means sitting down and listening to all sides and making a decision based on that."

Wheeler has been involved with the Young Fellows of Weyburn and said running for council is something he feels he should have done years ago; "It's time for me to step up and help the city grow."

Initiatives: Public parks; amenities for families; business and development; to be an intermediary voice on council; better communication and eliminate barriers for council.


Matthew Caudill

Matthew Caudill has lived in the Weyburn area for a little over 10 years. Originally from Ohio, Caudill has raised a young family in the city and recently became a Canadian citizen. He has a passion for municipal politics ever since moving to the country. 

"It's not a job, it's giving back to your community, giving your ideas, giving your input in how you think it's going to be better," he told Discover Weyburn. "And then I think you have to step aside to bring in new people, to see a different vision."

Youth facilities is an important item Caudill hopes to tackle if on council. Working for the South East Cornerstone School Division, Caudill realizes there's a need for more amenities for children.

As New Democratic Party (NDP) president of Weyburn Big-Muddy, Caudill said social assistance is a top priority.

"When I first got to Weyburn, I read about Tommy Douglas and I just fell for the NDP after that. I loved his creation of the CCF, I loved the creation of the NDP, I think it's where we should be."

Initiatives: Bring more opportunities for youth; maintaining infrastructure with a focus on sidewalks; business and development with a focus on small businesses; bring more manufacturing to the area. 


Mel Van Betuw

Incumbent Mel Van Betuw was born and raised in Weyburn, completed all his schooling in the city and was involved in the Weyburn business scene for close to 35 years.

"For me it was a keen interest in the city and really a desire to give back," he told Discover Weyburn about why he is running for a second term.

"I have the opportunity and the time to listen to the citizens and put in time that's required for city councillors and to implement things that I'm hearing from residents and also the many duties that city councillors have."

Van Betuw said his experience on council will help move the city forward through tougher economic times, adding, "As much as it's great to grow, which we need to grow, we need be conscious that not all tax payers cannot afford the same tax amounts and we have to be conscious of our less well off residents."

He has served as chairman of the environmental committee, which is in the process of implementing a recycling program in Weyburn. He has been involved with various organizations within Weyburn, including the Weyburn Red Wings.

Initiatives: Make Weyburn a competitive place for business; keep taxes down; prioritize spending; forge good relationships with police; recycling program; new hospital; maintain infrastructure.


Stacy Muxlow

Stacy Muxlow was born and raised in Weyburn and has raised four children with her husband of 14 years. She is running for council for her first time.

"I just want to be a part of the conversations," she told Discover Weyburn. "Politics come into everything you do in the community, it plays a big part, so I would like to learn more about that."

Muxlow said her interest in politics is new, but has experience in the community as a president of the Weyburn Initiation Tournament committee and coaching various sports in the past couple years.

Muxlow hopes to be a voice at the table for the next four years.

"See what I can do to help with change, I feel Weyburn needs change, a positive change, and I want to be a part of that conversation."

Initiatives: Family orientated goals; improving parks and school sports grounds; be a liaison on council to connect the community; help provide a safer community for children and families.


Dick Michel

Incumbent Dick Michel has been on city council for 16 years, and said his experience, passion and energy will be an important asset in the years to come.

"Many calls I've got, I'll always treat the taxpayer with respect, and get back to them with an answer, either yes or no, but at least they'll know what's going on when they talk to me," he told Discover Weyburn.

"I'm approachable and people know that, and I respond quickly, that's the way I am."

Michel moved to Weyburn in 1973, managed North American Lumber for 40 years and has been working with Minard's Steadfast Homes for nine years. Michel also chairs the Weyburn Airport Board, which focuses on getting capital funding for projects.

"I just wanted to come in and be part of the growing picture," he said about his first term on council in 2000.

Initiatives: A new hospital; high quality drinking water; infrastructure including roads, sewers and water services; continue to grow business in the community; control taxes; communication with rural municipalities.


Tim Hughes

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Tim Hughes moved to Weyburn in 2011 and has spent many hours volunteering for minor sports. He has a passion for continuing to make the community an excellent place to raise his young family.

"The people of Weyburn have created a perfect city for my family and I want to keep that moving forward and see if we can't do just a little bit more," he told Discover Weyburn.

Hughes works for Cenovus Energy, with a focus on industrial construction. He hopes to bring that knowledge to council, to help streamline construction processes within the city.

"It's not just based on the price of oil, that doesn't stop us, the City of Weyburn or the developer from continuing on. There's something that's broken down in the process and my experience in industrial construction I think I can help with that."

Hughes believes there are gaps in the amenities that Weyburn offers, and hopes to create long-term goals to keep expanding development within the city.

Initiatives: Be a liaison for the residents of Weyburn; construction and development; provide support to first-responders; create a supportive business environment; to be an intermediary voice on council.


Winston Bailey

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Incumbent Winston Bailey first won a seat on council after a by-election in 2011 and said he has a tremendous desire to continue on.

"I like sitting on council, it's intriguing to me, I find a tremendous interest in our civic politics and in our city, and I still want to be a part of that growth and development of this city," he told Discover Weyburn.

Bailey has been involved in the city's business scene since 1977, running his own construction company for almost 30 years. He is currently a broker owner of Remax in Weyburn and spends many volunteers hours with Weyburn's Habitat for Humanity projects.

"That's near and dear to my heart. There's such a tremendous need for that in our city and also it's very rewarding in the fact that what you do, what you can do in the community, the benefits to each and every family."

Bailey said his door is always open for residents to raise any concerns or topics they want to discuss. 

Initiatives: Continue growth through infrastructure; upgrades to water filtration plant; review of recently implemented development levies; working towards common goals on council.


Laura Morrissette

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Incumbent Laura Morrissette moved to Weyburn in 2004. She has a double diploma in journalism and worked in radio and television broadcasting for around 10 years, covering council before she was first elected in 2012.

"I've spent the last four years really dedicating my life to making the City of Weyburn better, not only for my children, but for the residents of Weyburn," she told Discover Weyburn.

Morrissette hopes she will have the opportunity to continue on with a number of projects. Some of these include the landfill study, Communities in Bloom, and bringing a recycling program to Weyburn.

"I've really gotten out there to know this community and I hope that that is something that people will see as a real asset having me as a city councillor."

Morrissette has a young family and said she hopes to make the city of Weyburn better by being a voice for the public.

Initiatives: Recycling; landfill; work with local businesses and developers; learn more about development levies; increase tourism to Weyburn.


Jeff Richards

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Jeff Richards has been involved in the private business industry since the the 1990's. He is currently the vice president of strategic development for the Southeast College and chairs the Weyburn Regional District Planning Commission.

"I believe in business and I think the free enterprise system is one of the keys to growing our city," he told Discover Weyburn.

Richards spent many years as general manager of the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce and said he has always been interested in running for city council.

"I believe that the civic government is probably the one that has the most direct impact on our day-to-day lives."

He said Weyburn has supported him and his family since they moved into the community, "and I want to just be able to give back and give some support back."

Initiatives: Elevate the standard of living; inter-municipal and inter-governmental cooperation; create a strengthened community; economic development; education opportunities.


Cameron Weber

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Cameron Weber came out West in 1976 and worked for 20 years as a heavy duty mechanic. His family moved from a nearby farm into Weyburn in 2002. Weber has his Bachelor of Biblical Studies and pastored in Weyburn for 10 years.

"Council will be top-heavy with economy and community planners, which is all good, we need them," he told Discover Weyburn.

"But, we also need somebody to be there for the non-profits, the average citizen, the youth of our community, the seniors need people on council to support and advocate for them as well."

Weber is a founding member and chairman of the Weyburn Youth Centre, is part of the Community Low-Income Centre and president of the Weyburn Ministerial Association.

"I believe if you're elected to council you're there to serve the people and you're there for the people's betterment, not to fill your own pockets or entitlements."

Initiatives: Council to give 10 per cent of remuneration to charity; recycling program; transparency on council; upgrading infrastructure including sidewalks.


Nancy Styles

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Incumbent Nancy Styles was first elected to the office of city council of Weyburn in 2006. With a background in nursing and more than 25 years of service at the Weyburn hospital, Styles said she wants to bring a nursing perspective to council.

"Definitely being educated as a registered nurse and working brings a lot of that education that you can apply to actually running a city," she told Discover Weyburn.

"We've made some great strides in making Weyburn a great place to live, to giving quality of life."

Styles has been retired from nursing for two years and currently sits as president of the Association of Saskatchewan Urban Parks and Conservation. Styles said Tatagwa parkway has been one of her biggest projects on council.

"I would like to bring a balance to council, and I think that my record stands for the good work that I've done."

Initiatives: Funding for Tatagwa Parkway; water reservoir; improving quality of life for residents in the city of Weyburn.


Jason Bill

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Jason Bill will be celebrating his 25th year of work in the oil and gas industry in southern Saskatchewan. He has worked in different areas of the oil field, but the last 10 have been dedicated solely to safety.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed that role and I think that can be an asset for this position," he told Discover Weyburn.

Bill has a young family in Weyburn and would like to see decisions made to better the future of the city, "to make sure the city is set up for them to survive and raise a family here as well."

This is Bill's first time running for office of city councillor. He said he has limited political experience but is quick, willing and wants to learn how he can make a positive difference in the community.

"I just thought I could make a difference for the people of Weyburn. I've lived in the community all my life and I'd just like to make a difference."

Initiatives: A new hospital; making decisions to better the future of the city; family orientated leadership.


Jeff Heisler

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Jeff Heisler has lived in Weyburn for most of his life. He moved to Airdrie, Alberta, during the 1990's but said he realized he didn't like it nearly as much as his home in Weyburn.

"I'm going to be in Weyburn all my life. Here to stay," he told Discover Weyburn.

Heisler is running for the office of city councillor for his first time, which he said is always something he has wanted to do. He is excited for the number of councillors running in this year's election.

"People are obviously interested in what's going on in the city, not that they want to change or gripe about it, but I think people are just interested in the community and that's great to see."

Heisler has family connections to city hall, as his mom has worked there for 40 years. He said he has admired some previous councillors and mayors, including Isabelle Butters and Don Schlosser.

Initiatives: No specific agenda in mind; being a voice of the people; representing the everyday person.

Discover Weyburn is waiting to hear back from other nominees and will update the story as their profiles come in.