The two candidates running for City of Greenwood mayor.
Ron Pratt
I have been a contributor to municipal government for 39 years in many different aspects. I have also contributed to my community through boards and provincial appointments in several ways, most of which were in Saskatchewan before I retired and settled in Greenwood. Most of my service is in the field of public protection, but I have also served in the health care and justice sectors.
Prior to receiving a full time position as fire chief, I was a volunteer firefighter then chief in a community about the size of Greenwood. During this time I also served two terms on the town council, became a fire service instructor, investigator, and medical first responder.
Representing the community I served in 1992 on the board of directors for the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs and two years as the vice-president. I also sat on the provincial fire service advisory board and served on the provincial protective services review committee.
In 1998 I was hired as the La Ronge Fire Chief, a position I held until my retirement in early 2016. During this tenure, I amalgamated three communities that were connected physically into one regional fire service protecting approximately eight thousand residents. This position transitioned into a protective services role covering fire/rescue services building construction inspections, bylaw development and enforcement, and emergency preparedness planning. The latter of which became relevant as in my 18 years. There we faced no less than four declared emergencies (one of which was Saskatchewan’s largest). During this time I attended the E.M.O. College in Ottawa twice and became trained in Emergency Site Management and Emergency operations center management.
During this period I was appointed a justice of the peace for the province and served in that role for approximately ten years, also a marriage commissioner for about the same time. I was also appointed to the provincial health board for three years the last of which I was the vice-chairperson. During my time on the health board I attended the Johnson/Shoyama Graduate School of public policy where I attained the designation of Professional Director.
During this very rewarding career I have been honored and recognized for my work in many wonderful ways. These are the Governor General’s exemplary services medal, the Saskatchewan protective services medal. Her majesty’s diamond jubilee, the Fire Chiefs “fire chief of merit award,” as well as being recognized on the floor of parliament by all parties on my retirement. The invitation from the Prime Minister to attend a function in Regina to meet the Prince of Whales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
None of these awards or recognition meant as much as the personal satisfaction that comes from helping your fellow citizens in their time of need.
My career has been truly blessed, and I am running for mayor in hopes of continuing my community service.
Thank you,
Ron Pratt
Ed Smith
I would like to thank the good people of Greenwood for giving me the privilege of serving as your mayor for the past four years.
These years where both exciting and very productive. We have made real progress.
The council and the staff have come together as a tight, cohesive unit. I am proud of what we, as a team, have achieved.
Today we have an accounting system that gives us an up to date accurate report on our financial situation - It monitors our projects.
Our utilities - water, sewer, and garbage are now self sustainable and are monitored on a monthly basis.
Some of our major accomplishments include:
• Replacing the condemned boiler in city hall with two new gas furnaces.
• Installing a new emergency generator
• Replacing a lift station and did upgrades to the sewer plant.
• Upgrading the water valves and hydrants in conjunction with the highway 3 repaving.
• On Greenwood Street we replaced the culvert and are working on the beautification upgrade.
I would like to express my appreciation to those who to came to the public meeting on the Greenwoods Street project.
And, special thanks for the patience of those directly affected by the project.
I want to acknowledge the Japanese community for establishing Niekei Park and I was proud to be part of the opening ceremony.
Also, thank you to the museum for getting the grant and organizing the sculpting of the brass miner - beautiful.
We have many projects on the go and we have new ones under consideration.
My past business experience has served me well in my roles as Chairman of West Boundary Community Forests, as a board member of RDKB and as your Mayor.
I want to wish all the candidates luck and I thank them for taking part in the election.
I want to see Council continue the team approach that we worked so hard to develop.
We must keep up the day to day running of City Hall and working on grants to improve our infrastructure.
If elected I will proud to serve once again as Mayor.
Thank you very much,
Ed Smith