Gartner wants to represent small communities in legislature

By Joan Janzen

Kim Gartner from Macklin, SK, recently won a contested nomination to be the Saskatchewan Party’s candidate for Kindersley-Biggar in the 2024 provincial election. Gartner said he was overwhelmed by the win.

“The support from around the constituency was great, with lots of messages of encouragement. The overwhelming support from the Macklin, Denzil and Cactus Lake area was particularly gratifying and very humbling,” Gartner said.

Although he had considered running for the nomination in the past, he was unable to do so because of work and family commitments, which have always been a high priority in his life. “When Ken Francis decided not to run again, I thought about what that might mean for my community and for our area of the province,” he said.

Kim Gartner recently won the contested nomination to be the Saskatchewan Party’s candidate for Kindersley-Biggar in the 2024 provincial election. SUBMITTED

Gartner‘s career experience includes thirty-five years in municipal administration and thirty years serving as Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Macklin. He is the past president of the Urban Administrators Association of Saskatchewan and has served as School Trustee for the Living Sky School Division.

“I want to bring my wide range of experience in all aspects of life in west central Saskatchewan. I believe my background is well rounded; local governance, along with provincial and community involvement, has provided me with a wide scope of interests,” he said. Gartner has been a dedicated volunteer in his community, contributing to numerous organizations, as well as serving as Event Coordinator for the World Bunnock Championship.

“I have a deep-founded appreciation for small communities and wish to represent them in the legislature,” Gartner said. This deep appreciation had been cultivated beginning at a young age, as he was born and raised on a family farm near Macklin.

As a resident in rural Saskatchewan, Gartner is well aware of both the challenges and needs in his province. He realizes small communities are particularly vulnerable to governmental decisions.

“We are an economic generator for the province, but our small population and local tax base require consideration when legislative and programming decisions are being made,” Gartner observed. “Attraction of families and businesses into our communities relies heavily on stable governmental policies.”