A resident of Steinbach wants to pay it forward by running for city council this fall. Adam Crookes says Steinbach has given him so much that he would like to return the favour by serving on council.

"That saying, it takes a village to raise a child, that has been true on every point. I grew up in a single-parent home but it made no difference. There were so many people that stepped up along my journey and invested in me, believed in me and so we are truly blessed here in southern Manitoba to live where we do. Past councils have done an amazing job, obviously, because we have what we have and we're blessed. But I just want to continue to build on that and I think it's my time to give back to the community that, literally, believed in me when, maybe, other communities wouldn't have."

Crookes says he has been thinking about this for about two years but got more serious about it after retiring from the Steinbach Fire Department following 19 years of service.

"That was kind of my thinking at that point, that it was probably going to lead into this and from November on, it's been on my heart quite a bit and my mind and we're going to make this step today."

He adds he is committed to helping a great city become even better.

"I'm not looking to change the world, but want to help any way I can. And, as stuff arises, I'll give my input and be an asset to the community. Definitely, there are some bigger projects that are coming down the road, that we know of, so I want to help out any way I can."