Three seek mayor’s chair as Denare Beach votes in byelection

By: Nicole Goldsworthy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

SaskToday.ca

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Residents of Denare Beach will choose a new mayor next month as three candidates vie to lead the northern community through wildfire recovery and rebuilding efforts.

The municipal byelection for mayor is scheduled for Sept. 2, with voting taking place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the village administration office, 512 Seventh Ave. An advance poll will be held Aug. 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the same location. Residents who cannot attend in person can apply for mail-in ballots before Aug. 19.

Mail-in ballots are available for residents who are displaced or unable to attend the advance or regular polls. Residents must register in person at the village office or by email before the Aug. 19 deadline.

The candidates are current councillors Dale Holmgren and Karen Thomson, along with newcomer Jennifer Hysert.

The byelection comes as Denare Beach continues to rebuild following the Wolf wildfire, which remains a dominant theme in each candidate’s platform.

Karen Thomson, a retired corporate sales account manager who spent 34 years with Bell MTS, is seeking to move from councillor to the mayor’s chair.

Thomson told SaskToday she was first elected as a councillor in 2000 and has served six terms on council.

“I am running for mayor as I feel a deep commitment to the community of Denare Beach and its residents,” Thomson said. “I am committed to leading our community at this pivotal time in our history with poise, pride and passion.”

She pointed to her role in helping the community navigate the aftermath of the wildfire and said her experience positions her to address future challenges.

Among her priorities are resident well-being, fiscal responsibility, rebuilding financial stability and maintaining relationships with provincial ministries and agencies.

“Residents are always the top priority,” Thomson said. “Having confidence that they have a mayor and a leadership team that have their backs is absolutely critical in fostering a healthy community.”

She also highlighted the importance of ongoing discussions with neighbouring municipalities and provincial governments to address cross-border emergency management issues involving Denare Beach, Creighton and Flin Flon.

Thomson said community engagement and transparency would be key priorities if elected.

“I commit to ongoing dialogue with residents from the mayor’s chair on a regular basis,” she said.

Dale Holmgren is campaigning on his experience as a councillor and his commitment to community-focused leadership.

“For the past 16 years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as your councillor,” Holmgren said.

Reflecting on the wildfire, Holmgren said the crisis underscored the community’s resilience.

“Together, we faced the wildfire that tested every one of us. In those difficult days, I saw the strength, resilience, and compassion that make Denare Beach such a special place to call home.”

Holmgren said his priorities would be strengthening the community, supporting responsible growth, maintaining services and ensuring the municipality is prepared for future challenges.

“Public service has never been about titles for me. It’s about showing up, listening and putting community first,” he said.

Holmgren also stressed the importance of collaboration and fiscal responsibility.

“I believe in open communication, fiscal responsibility, and working together to solve problems. No mayor succeeds alone.”

He said the community has an opportunity to build on its progress while planning for future generations.

“We have the opportunity to learn from the challenges we have faced, build on the progress we have made and plan for the future.”

Jennifer Hysert, an income tax professional and sole proprietor, is the only candidate in the race who has not previously served on council.

Hysert said her experience in accounting and her personal experience as a wildfire victim would help guide her leadership.

“I think that my connections, voice, accounting knowledge, and diplomacy will be an asset as my community navigates uncharted territory while we recover from the Wolf wildfire that took out half of our village, including my home and business.”

Her platform focuses heavily on affordability, infrastructure and wildfire recovery.

Among her priorities are keeping life affordable for residents, maintaining infrastructure and advocating for additional government support for recovery efforts.

Hysert also wants to see increased dialogue with residents through town hall meetings.

“Hosting a town hall meeting for the community to vent their frustrations and working with them to find solutions” is among her priorities, along with regular followup meetings during the rebuilding process.

She also pledged to work with leaders in Creighton and Flin Flon to address regional border issues and improve co-operation between the neighbouring communities.

Other priorities include attracting young families to the community, encouraging new home construction and helping residents replace homes lost in the wildfire.