Roy Ludwig wants one more term as Estevan’s mayor.
Ludwig submitted his nomination papers on Aug. 31, the day after the forms were first available. He was elected mayor for the first time in 2012 and was re-elected in 2016. Prior to becoming mayor, he had six terms as a city councillor from 1994-2012.
He said he has enjoyed working with council, city staff and the citizens to problem-solve as different types of issues have occurred.
It was a tougher decision this time as to whether he would run again, but he decided to after talking with his wife, whom Ludwig described as his closest ally.
“It is a big responsibility and one that I do not take lightly,” said Ludwig.
Ludwig is scheduled to retire from Westmoreland Mining LLC next year, after more than four decades in the mining industry. The extra time he will have factored into his decision.
“It’s quite onerous to have a full-time job and to be even a councillor, but definitely mayor, which is more duties, more involvement,” said Ludwig. “And even though, thank God, my health has stood up, and I’ve been able to do it with the two jobs, it’s a lot.”
During the past two terms, Ludwig is pleased the city has paid down the long-term debt and reduced the net debt – the excess of liabilities versus assets.
“To me, that was one of the more important things that we’ve done in all of my years on council, was to get the debt paid down to a manageable level,” said Ludwig.
He’s also pleased to see the completion of the new water intake project, which shifted the primary water source from Boundary Dam to Rafferty Dam, resulting in better water for the community.
The city has also been able to complete needed infrastructure, road revitalization and beautification projects.
The big challenge during the next term will be the shutdown of Unit 4 at the Boundary Dam Power Station at the end of next year, and preparing for the retirement of Unit 5 at Boundary Dam at the end of 2024.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us on the economic development side,” said Ludwig. “I’ve really enjoyed working with our economic development committee. We’ve got some great people on there from the business side of our community. They’re all keeners, and they want to do the right thing for our city and surrounding area.”
The city will also continue to advocate for carbon capture and storage technology at Boundary Dam and at the Shand Power Station.
Ludwig has heard rumours that at least one other person is going to run, and he would welcome the challenge. He was opposed by two other candidates in both 2012 and 2016.
And he looks forward to seeing some fresh faces on city council, with multiple members of the current council previously confirming to the Mercury that they wouldn’t be seeking another term.
“I’m looking forward to this election, and I’m hoping that we’ll get a lot of good involvement from people in our community who want to make a difference, who want to put in the efforts to make a difference and bring different perspectives to the table,” he said.
The civic election will occur Nov. 9. Nomination forms are available from city hall or the City of Estevan’s website for mayor and councillor with Estevan city council, as well as the two Estevan trustee positions on the South East Cornerstone Public School Division board and the Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division board.
The deadline to submit papers is Oct. 9.
Two other nomination forms have been submitted for the civic election. Councillor Shelly Veroba, who is wrapping up her first term on city council, has filed her nomination papers for councillor. Six councillors will be elected
And Eric McCrimmon has filed to be one of the two Estevan trustees for the South East Cornerstone Public School Division’s board.
