Town of Winnipeg Beach election day is Friday, July 24, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with advance polls available on July 10 and 12 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting takes place at the Winnipeg Beach Recreation Centre, 32 Hamilton Ave. Advance polls will also be available in Winnipeg on Tuesday, July 14, at the Dakota Community Centre, 1188 Dakota St., from noon to 8 p.m.
Winnipeg Beach residents will elect one mayor and four councillors.
For the office of mayor:
- • Terry Calof
- • Stan Potten
- • Sig Trautwein
For the office of councillor:
- • Linda Campbell
- • Darcy Gilkes
- • Barry Hoel
- • Doug Jarvis
- • Andrea McCann
- • Anjali Schludermann
- • Ravi Shukla
- • Christine Sokaluk
- • Kim Trombinski
A public election forum is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, at 2 p.m. at the Winnipeg Beach Legion.
The Express Weekly News invited all candidates seeking election for mayor and council to participate in this Q&A. Each candidate was asked the same three questions about their priorities, experience and vision for the community. Responses were accepted until the Express Weekly News’ stated deadline and have been edited only for spelling, grammar and Canadian Press style.
Questions:
1. What do you believe is the most important issue facing our municipality over the next four years, and what specific actions would you take to address it?
2. Municipal councils must balance taxes, services and infrastructure needs. How would you approach making these decisions while keeping the municipality financially sustainable?
3. Why are you seeking elected office, and what skills, experience or perspective would you bring to council that would benefit residents?
The following are the responses received by the Express Weekly News’ stated deadline.
Terry Calof
Terry Calof has spent 45 years as an educator and served as the first president of Condo Corporation #27. He is active in community support, helping residents with tasks such as snow clearing, maintenance and local assistance, as well as supporting the local food bank.
1. I believe the most important issue facing our town over the next four years is addressing the possible $8 million cost projected by our consulting engineer to remediate the condition of our sewage lagoons and their associated infrastructure. The actions needed would be recommended by the engineer. The choice of action would be decided by council doing their due diligence together with our CAO.
2. The decisions about prioritizing any costs are shared decisions. The stakeholders are the taxpaying residents. It is council’s mandate, through the direction of the Municipal Board of Manitoba, to put the best interests of the majority of taxpaying residents first. So, the question for council is, “What should we as a council do that is best for our town?” It is the mayor’s responsibility to lead council to make that decision, again in consultation with our CAO.
3. Having attended every council meeting in person since July, my observations of council’s performance left me wondering: Where was the transparency and open discussion for all resolutions and bylaws? Where were the balanced budgets? Why were there unprecedented tax increases? Having been an educator for 45 years, I have developed and honed the skills of leading, listening, negotiating, collaborating, budgeting and public speaking. These attributes will assist me in making my role as mayor successful.
Andrea McCann
Andrea McCann is an entrepreneur, educator and union representative with experience owning a business and teaching marketing and entrepreneurship at the college level. A longtime community member, she has lived in the Interlake for 10 years and in Winnipeg Beach for nearly four, where she enjoys supporting local initiatives.
1. The sustainability of our lake. There are a few issues here, but one is our lagoon is operating above capacity. There are four proposals to deal with this, approved by the municipal board, with an $8-million price tag. We need to investigate working with Gimli to hook into their system and treatment plant and work with the province to ensure that we are abiding by the new wastewater effluent guidelines.
2. Relying solely on general property taxes to fund major capital projects creates volatile tax spikes and strains residents (and upsets me too!). Financial sustainability requires a diversification of our revenue streams. As an entrepreneurship mentor, I would recommend a risk-based approach, as well as multiple funding sources. We need to have a more collaborative network within the Interlake for a stronger voice with the province, while reaching out for funding and shared funding strategies.
3. As a tourist town, I want to ensure there is a respectful environment on council. I believe in sustainability for our lake, and an equitable environment for the voter base. I have been a part of the fabric of our town for 25 years. I bring financial experience, negotiating experience, connections to the larger business community in Manitoba, and I understand budgeting, economic pressures and the importance of supporting local growth.
Anjali Schludermann
Anjali Schludermann is the owner of Ruby’s Paradise in Winnipeg Beach, a development that reflects her vision for retirement. A former educational assistant, she has also served on several non-profit boards and committees, bringing collaborative leadership and community-minded experience to her work.
1. I believe our town faces several significant issues, including the lagoon and infrastructure that is used, abused and sometimes goes missing. In the past, council has often acted more like schoolchildren than grown-ups. Moving forward, I would like to see a council that puts pettiness aside and works for the good of the town. That means more action, less procrastination and better communication with residents.
2. Staying on task and completing a checklist to ensure things get done is the first step. Expanding the tax base will help keep the town financially sustainable. We need to do more than talk about derelict buildings and make use of grants and other funding for their intended purposes. Keeping lines of communication open with the public is also important, especially when undertaking major projects.
3. I’m diplomatic and have a very vested interest in the community and providing more services for the town. I work well with others and am a team player. I work a 16-hour workday in the summer. My day off is still spent working. Yet I find time to keep up with council and other meetings because this is how to move a town forward. I am full of great ideas.
Ravi Shukla
Ravi Shukla has been a full-time Winnipeg Beach resident for nine years. A former small business owner and professional artist, he has exhibited work nationally and internationally. As a council candidate, he is focused on supporting local businesses, attracting new residents and strengthening partnerships to advance the town’s prosperity.
1. Much of the town’s infrastructure needs revamping, which starts with building a better relationship with the provincial government. Financial support could help make the town more accessible for current and future residents through improvements such as public washrooms, wheelchair-accessible roads and year-round business stability. The lagoon remains an ongoing challenge. We also need to establish shared goals with Provincial Parks rather than maintaining an invisible line that separates us.
2. Transparency is the key to accomplishing this goal. More residents need to be on board with council’s ideas, without surprises related to contracted work or bidding. We need infrastructure that lasts and does not require constant upgrades. I want to encourage more full-time residents, address unfair property tax fluctuations and modernize the town. Younger people need to feel included, valued and invested in maintaining an inclusive community.
3. I’ve lived at the beach for years now and I’m here for the long haul. With encouragement from locals, I feel compelled to represent their ideas and make a real difference. Coming from a business and artistic background, I describe myself as honest and direct, with the patience and passion to see our community thrive, with children growing up in a safe environment. I have experience with young people learning trades and cultural traditions.
Christine Sokaluk
Christine Sokaluk has deep roots within the community and actively supports local initiatives. She helps organize community events to bring people together whenever possible. She is available and ready to work with others to help the community move forward in a positive direction. She is also part of Team Winnipeg Beach.
1. I agree with a lot of the 2025-2030 strategic plan; however, none of this matters if we do not have a connected and welcoming town for everyone. We need to come together and foster a more positive community where everyone feels heard, valued and respected. Focus on what unites us while rebuilding trust in our council and administration. This can have dramatic effects on tourism, attracting investors, businesses and community pride.
2. I would look at past expenses and compare them against the current budget and forecast future expenses. Evaluate our essential services, followed by needs versus wants. See if we have access to grants and be creative when speaking with our vendors regarding potential savings opportunities. I also see an opportunity to advocate for a better solution regarding our school taxes. This would allow taxes to be budgeted in advance without large fluctuations.
3. I’m seeking election to be a part of making my community better. I am a positive person who is solution-focused. I offer a diverse background in both business and social services. I have experience as a resolutions manager, project manager and payroll professional, along with experience in grant processes and health care through social work, crisis intervention and working with people who have special needs. I consider myself well-rounded.
Kim Trombinski
Kim Trombinski has over 20 years of accounting experience, including 10 years in management positions across various industries both locally and overseas. She is not afraid to advocate for what is right. She currently serves as treasurer on the board of the Interlake Community Resource Centre in Gimli.
1. Having a stable and functioning council for Winnipeg Beach — one that works with the public and with foresight for the future. This will mean listening to what the community has to say and planning accordingly. I also believe that reaching out to other municipalities to see how they have handled similar issues would be of benefit.
2. Ensuring that we are keeping an eye on our working budget with an eye on what future expenses might be. Communicating details of the budget clearly and concisely with taxpayers and the community at large, ensuring they are fully aware of where their tax dollars are going.
3. The reason I’m seeking office is that, in the five years I have been a resident and homeowner in the community, I’ve seen several instances where members of council were acclaimed, leaving residents with no opportunity to choose who will govern their town. I am offering myself and my experience as a choice for this election and as a voice for residents.
