Six questions with Barry Helm, candidate for Lloydminster City Council

MyLloydminsterNow has reached out to the 14 candidates running for the six positions on Lloydminster City Council in the November 13 city-wide elections. Here are the views of Barry Helm. 

Question 1: Tell me who you are. 

Helm: I grew up in Lloydminster. My paternal grandparents settled in the area in the 1930s. They farmed east of Lloydminster for several years until they retired. My parents, Norman and Victoria Helm, continued to farm until the mid-80s. I attended Neville Goss Elementary School, E.S. Laird, and then graduated from LCHS in 1989. 

I was working on my master’s degree in biblical studies with a major in Old Testament. It was during this time that I started a business for work during the summer months. That was in 1999. The first company I started was Squeegee Boy and then I started doing landscape maintenance. I bought a used Honda push mower, borrowed my dad’s 1988 Mazda, and knocked on doors and put ads in the local paper. That’s how it all started. My first big project was for Pioneer Lodge which is what inspired the name for my second company: Pioneer Landscaping. 

The business overtook my studies, and I left that pursuit behind as I worked on developing these businesses. As for work-life balance, everything seems to tip towards work. Which isn’t a bad thing. I really enjoy what I do. I am deeply rooted in the Prairies, and I am fascinated by the history and the landscape of this region. I married my wife Bethany in 2017, and we live with our 2 cats, Sylvester and Sirius Black. We live at the north end of Lloydminster, on the Saskatchewan side. 

Question 2: Why do you want to be a city councillor? 

Helm: I feel compelled to champion a positive vision for this community – a vision that is built on values such as wisdom, courage, honour, and compassion. I care about the city. Many people have said that I have great ideas, a level head, and qualities that would make me a good councillor. Rather than continuing to sit on the sidelines, I decided to contribute to the team as we chart a course forward. I care about the city. 

Question 3: Colleen Young, candidate for the Saskatchewan Party has said, “Our hospital was built for 15,000 people back in 1986 and has not seen significant expansion. Previous ministers of health have recognized the need to expand the hospital in order to serve patients better. That is another aspect that I would like to see done.” 

What are your thoughts on a new or expanded hospital in Lloydminster? 

Helm: I believe there is a strong case to be made for expanding the hospital or building a new one. I am greatly encouraged to see so many improvements being made of late to existing facilities. There have been improvements to the grounds and parking lot at the hospital. Many renovations are being done at other facilities. Probably, most notably is the Prairie North building downtown with significant and much needed improvements being made to the building facade. 

The case for expanding the hospital has been made by people who are closer to the issues than I am. As a growing community and as a community that serves a larger region, we need to ensure that the hospital is able to meet the demands of the region as we look toward the future. 

Question 4: What is your plan to deal with homelessness and the unhoused? 

Helm: It is a complex and complicated issue that will not be fixed easily. Some of the roots of homelessness appear to be far outside what a municipality is able to control. But we are not without hope. There are amazing individuals, organizations, and faith communities who are demonstrating boots-on-the-ground compassion and offering solutions and ideas to navigate this issue. As a councillor, my aim would be to listen to and support these groups. 

Supporting this group begins first by simply sitting down with them and listening to their needs. Some examples would be aiding them as they collect data, assisting them to find land and/or buildings if needed, facilitating solution-seeking sessions that bring various groups to the same table, etc. 

With that said, City council will have to make some difficult and unpopular decisions in the very near future to avoid tragedies with the cold winter that is ahead. 

Question 5: What are your thoughts on dealing with crime and insecurity? 

Helm: I believe the role of peace officers in this community is critical and their good work has made a positive impact. There needs to be continued and expanded support for law enforcement as well as neighbourhood-led measures. These include neighbourhood watches and encouraging people to get to know their neighbours. It would mean continued support for and promotion of community-building activities like block parties, festivals, outdoor movie nights, and encouraging families to use the parks in their neighbourhoods for such activities. 

Question 6: Final thoughts. 

Helm: I am also an advocate of facilitating the development of affordable seniors housing. In the past, there appears to have been a visionary drive to build facilities such as Knox Manor, Padua Place, Southridge Apartments, Fellowship Village, Halls Holme, Pioneer Lodge and Jubilee Home. That was 40+ years ago. Since then, there has been little development of affordable housing for seniors. It certainly has not kept pace with the population growth. We need to honour the seniors of our community by promoting the development of affordable housing.