A fifth-generation Steinbach resident has entered the race for City Council.

Bill Hiebert says his great great grandparents helped settle Steinbach. Hiebert grew up in Steinbach, received his education in Steinbach and at the age of 23 entered the car business as a sales consultant. Thirty-eight years later, Hiebert remains in that same position at Ledingham.

"I've developed many friendships in that time and it's through these friendships that I've developed actually an interest in City Council," says Hiebert. "People sharing their stories and so it's created an interest in me in that regard."

Hiebert says if elected one of his priorities will be health care. He plans to push for more health care options for seniors, who are now being "exported" to other communities in the later stages of life. In addition, he would like to encourage healthy living through exercise and the development of parks and bike trails.

In regards to construction of a multiplex, Hiebert says he supports that, but it should not be built downtown. The City Council hopeful says the lack of downtown parking is too large an obstacle to overcome. He says the city would need to buy up too much land at too large an expense. Hiebert says he would rather see the facility built behind Clearspring Centre.

"There is a piece of land that looks like it's very suitable with many different entrances and exits," he says. "It's land where you could build a large parking lot and you could actually build a combination unit rec and arts."

And Hiebert says with the help of federal and provincial government funding, corporate dollars, business sponsorships and personal donations, the city could move forward on this project sooner than later.

Another priority for Hiebert is public safety. It is his opinion that Steinbach has a great police force and Hiebert wants to make sure that level of service is maintained while expanding the Citizens On Patrol Program (COPP).

Hiebert says Steinbach needs a good tax structure in order to attract new business to the community. He says fiscal responsibility is a huge priority as City Council needs to make sure tax dollars are going towards the right sources without incurring too much burden on ratepayers.

Hiebert says he has been thinking about a run at City Council for eight years now. He notes many business people and friends have encouraged him to take on this challenge.

"I have a strong work ethic and I think I can contribute to our City Council in that regard," says Hiebert. "I have a lot of energy and have always performed at the top of my game in the business that I'm in."

Hiebert says he has served on numerous boards over the years, including Church boards. He has been involved with business development groups, volunteered with Steinbach's annual Pick Up And Walk, given of his time to the Steinbach Pistons and helped out with different Church functions.