By Kevin Gilby

CRAIK — David Ashdown won the Craik byelection for town council on June 3.

Ashdown took 97 of the 171 votes to win the council seat ahead of Mark Wegner and Mike Erlandson.

His experiences include serving in small town churches in Wolseley, Gull Lake and Craik before holding the position of Archdeacon of Athabasca and Archdeacon of Keewatin. In 2001, he was elected Bishop of Keewatin in 2001 and later elected Metropolitan of Rupert’s Land with title Archbishop in 2009.

Since moving back to Craik in 2014, Ashdown has kept his administrative experience and communication skills honed by being a vocal member of the community’s health care task force, writing various letters to government and health region officials, as well as speaking at rallies both in Craik and in front of the legislature building in Regina.

Before the byelection, Ashdown expressed his belief that there is a “need for more engagement by the council with the citizens of the community. People need to know what the council is doing, be consulted about priorities, have access to relevant information, and when for sound reasons information cannot be made available, the reasons should be given.”

“Open and transparent government is critical.”

In addition, Ashdown said he believes that civic pride is essential to growth. He said, “Properties in town need to be well-maintained and contribute to the sense that this is a good community in which to take up residence. Council needs to develop and implement strategies that ensure this happens.”

With only days before his first town council meeting, the new councillor expects to spend the first few sessions learning the dynamics of the meetings. Ashdown intends to quickly learn how to work with Mayor Rick Rogers and other councillors while pursuing the objectives that are important to him and, he believes, to the community.