A candidate for reeve in the RM of Ste. Anne wants to take municipality in a new direction.

Shirley Hiebert, a resident of Ward 2 near Cherry Hill Estates, suggests that though the RM’s council is frugal in their management, she would see them implement changes.

Primarily, Hiebert indicates, Ward 2 is a key area for potential real estate in the RM of Ste. Anne, and, because of its proximity to Steinbach, it should be developed.

“If you look at the financial statement for the RM,” notes Hiebert, “they don’t have a lot of money coming in, and they don’t have a vision. Their idea has been: ‘we’re an agricultural municipality, we don’t do subdivisions.’ In that case, where are they going to get their tax base from? Where are they going to get their growth from? Ultimately with that kind of outlook [the RM] will perish.”

Should she become reeve, Hiebert insists she would diversify by shifting focus away from almost exclusively agriculture and onto residential development, which could boost their economy.

Hiebert explains she has plenty of job experience in her favor including healthcare administration, business management, and a Ph.D. in community health. “At this point in time, I feel I have the abilities to do what needs to be done to change the status quo. That’s why I’m willing to commit four years of my time to this,” says Hiebert.

In the coming election, Hiebert is competing against Richer’s Fire Chief Paul Saindon for the position of reeve for the RM of Ste. Anne. The municipality’s current reeve, Art Bergmann is not running for re-election.