GLENDON – On Monday, eligible voters in the village of Glendon will select three out of the six candidates running in the municipal election to be appointed to council.
Before residents' head to the polls, they will be able to tune in to a candidate forum that will be live streamed on Friday at 7 p.m. on the Village of Glendon Council social media page as well as the Glendon Agricultural Society site or can be accessed through a Zoom meeting link.
Councillor nominees will have the chance to outline their platforms and answer questions posed by viewers.
The forum was originally set to take place at the Glendon RCMP Hall while being livestreamed, but has since been moved completely online, said Melody Kwiatowski, the Village of Glendon’s CAO.
The official list of candidates that will appear on Glendon’s 2021 municipal election ballot include the names, Roger Chester Belknap, Lorie Czuroski, Dallas Fewchuk, Daryn Galatiuk, Tanya Krywiak and Nicholas Werstiuk.
Following the election, the newly elected councillors will vote on who will be appointed to the role of mayor and deputy mayor at the first council meeting post-election.
Voting will take place on Oct. 18 at the Glendon RCMP Centennial Hall located at 5302 – 51 Ave. between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Candidate Lorie Czuroski
Lorie Czuroski, a business owner in Glendon, is running to fill one of the three spots on council.
"I have lived in and owned a successful business in Glendon for the past 17 years. I have been involved in many organizations such as director with the (Glendon) Agricultural Society and a director for the catering club.”
Czuroski says she will be a strong voice for community concerns and will aim for getting positive results in a timely manner.
By focusing on keeping low taxes, as well as infrastructure maintenance and beautification projects, Czuroski hopes to maintain and encouraging new businesses in the village. She believes in making the community a more welcoming village by encouraging involvement in more functions designed for all ages.
“I would like to add programs for the community and seniors like snow removal, grass cutting, meals on wheels and weekly transportation for appointments,” she added.
Candidate Daryn Galatiuk
Daryn Galatiuk, a Phys. Ed and social studies teacher at Glendon School, is hoping to grab a seat on Glendon’s council.
“I have been part of this community for 22 years. During that time, I have had the ultimate privilege of teaching and coaching many people from this community,” he wrote. “As I have become older, I have found a keen interest in the workings of this village. I have found myself helping in local projects, and putting Glendon first in many things that I do.”
Galatiuk says his ultimate goal is giving back. “This community has given me everything. My career, my home with my beautiful wife Catharine, the chance to be a business owner with my wife.”
Candidate Roger Belknap
Roger Belknap is one of Glendon’s incumbent councillors seeking re-election.
Belknap moved to Glendon with his wife and two children in 2013 and has served the Village council as an elected councillor for the past two years.
“I am seeking re-election, and would be proud to continue the momentum our council has built by serving you for another four years,” he said. “If re-elected, I will continue to work on building a sense of community that Glendon once had.”
To build community, Belknap plans to continue pursuing beautification projects, expanding Canada Day celebration, as well as the village’s Pyrogy festival.
“I will continue to work on fixing our water issues, which the current council is looking into. I will also work on repairing our infrastructure, and even bring forth a motion to have a strategic plan in place to prioritize repairs, and do them as efficiently as possible,” he said. “I will work to remain fiscally responsible, and keep from going into debt. I will keep pushing for the new office, gym and fitness studio, which we already have plans and funding for.”
Candidate Tanya Krywiak
Tanya Krywiak, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at the Bonnyville Health Center, is running for a seat on the Village of Glendon’s municipal council.
“I have lived in the Glendon area all my life, attended Glendon School from K-12, and now my daughter is attending Glendon School,” wrote Krywiak.
Outlining her work with the community, she says, “I have volunteered on boards such as Glendon Skating Club, Glendon School Council and Glendon School Parenting Guild. I have also volunteered with Ukrainian Dance – bingos and perogy suppers are my specialty – and Kiev’s K Hi Ukrainian Youth Camp as camp nurse.”
Krywiak feels with her previous experiences of sitting on various boards, that she would be an asset to the Village of Glendon council.
“The Village of Glendon is a beautiful community. It has a hometown feel and a real sense of community. I would like to maintain that moving forward,” she said.
Krywiak adds that she would like to offer incentives for home buyers to encourage movement into the community, as well as maintain infrastructure, keep taxes low and facilitate new activities for families to take part in.
Candidate Nicholas Werstiuk
Nicholas Werstiuk, the Village’s incumbent deputy mayor, is seeking re-election after serving three years on council.
“I grew up on our family farm, a half mile west (of Glendon), and I chose to stay and build a life here for me and my family. We are a community that supports each other, respects our history, and wants the best for future generations,” wrote incumbent coun. Werstiuk.
Outlining his primary priorities, Werstiuk included beautification, revitalization, infrastructure improvements and maintenance.
For Werstiuk, this translates to improving roads and sidewalks, developing access to the walking trails, planting trees, reviewing the village’s water quality, and advocating for a gym and fitness studio.
“It's an honour and privilege to serve on Glendon Council and our responsibility to ensure everyone is heard, understood and represented. I believe in the importance of listening to all of our community members and prioritizing our budget strategically. We need to set aside personal agendas and focus on what is best for Glendon,” he said.
Candidate Dallas Fewchuk
Dallas Fewchuk, a volunteer firefighter and a business owner, is running for a spot on Glendon’s council.
“I’ve lived in Glendon my entire life, participated in numerous community events, served Glendon for 13 years as a volunteer firefighter, and am currently a third generation owner of my family business within the Village of Glendon,” wrote Fewchuk.
Through working and volunteering in the community over the past few years, Fewchuk says he has acquired knowledge of the village’s infrastructure.
If elected, Fewchuk says he will bring forth ideas to draw people into the village.
“We would all like to see new business in town but more importantly, people and families moving here and building new homes as well.”
