Why is Park Road not paved west of Clearspring Centre?

That is one of the most recent questions asked of Steinbach Mayor Chris Goertzen from his monthly Open Door session.

Over the years, the Mayor has provided an opportunity to Steinbach residents for a one-on-one on the third Friday of every month. And over the years all sorts of different topics have been discussed. This last Friday, a Steinbach taxpayer wanted to know why the pavement along Park Road suddenly stops once you pass Clearspring Centre.

"Right now that piece of road is about a four million dollar piece that would have to be extended," states Goertzen, referring to the stretch from Clearspring Centre to Industrial Road. "That will be paid for in part by the developers in that area."

Without knowing the exact percentage, Goertzen says if the pavement is ever extended on Park Road, a percentage will be covered by developers and a percentage by taxpayers. But until developers decide to move forward in that area, nothing will change.

"Until they do that it will remain as a gravel piece between Industrial and the Clearspring," explains Goertzen.

According to the Mayor, this is a longstanding policy that developers along major roads pay a portion of improvements. And because developers have a right to say when they are developing, you can end up with a stretch of road that waits in limbo, which is the case for Park Road.

"Obviously taxpayers shouldn't be footing the entire bill for that," adds Goertzen. "It also should be paid for in part by the developments around it."

On a completely separate topic, Goertzen discussed the upcoming election with another Steinbach resident. Goertzen says an individual came in wondering what is involved with running for council.

"Running for council is a major task, certainly the running is one task and then the actual job of being on council is another," he says. "I encourage people to talk to councillors that are in existence or people who have done that before."

Goertzen says being on council is rewarding but also time consuming. He adds a councillor is a councillor 24 hours a day, whether out grocery shopping, walking down Main Street or hanging out with friends and family. Goertzen says the job doesn't end once you leave council chambers.

"The important thing is to be involved in the community," he says. "To be able to always have your council hat on when you are in the community."

Meanwhile, according to Goertzen, it is not surprising that this fall's election is generating a number of candidates for Steinbach City Council.

"When there is a mayor election, it does pique the interest of people because they know that there is a lot of opportunity to contribute again to a new council," suggests Goertzen.