Luebke running in South Centre

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This article was published 17/09/2018 (2552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The former voice of the Wheat Kings has entered the municipal election race in Brandon.

Bruce Luebke, who did play-by-play for the Wheat Kings for more than two decades on CKLQ before parting ways with the radio station in 2016, announced Monday that he had filed his nomination papers at city hall and would run for a council seat in South Centre ward.

The first-time municipal candidate has lived in Brandon for the past 25 years and said he has thought about running in the last two municipal elections, but particularly after the 2011 flood when he saw different levels of government work together to help the community.

Luebke also attended a municipal election information meeting at city hall a couple weeks ago.

“With my previous profession in the media business, I never felt I had enough time to commit to the position on council, if I were successful,” he said.

“And now that I’m in my post-media career, I feel I have a little bit more of a time commitment that I can make to it.”

Luebke will face former Brandon University Students’ Union president Nick Brown, who announced his intentions to run in June.

He becomes the latest candidate to put his name forward in this year’s election campaign, bringing the total number of candidates for mayor and council, both new and incumbent, up to 20.

As a self-described non-partisan candidate, Luebke said he will work effectively with senior levels of government to tackle the problems in the community and is committed to balancing tax revenues collected by the city.

“I think for me, it’s just about trying to maintain that tax rate to be as low as possible, while continuing to maintain that kind of service level that our citizens have come to expect,” he said.

“When I walked through the ward to get my nomination papers signed, and talked to residents, as much as there are some city-wide issues, everybody still continues to be really focused on streets, sidewalks, the basics.”

Luebke’s entry in the race means only two wards — Linden Lanes and Green Acres — remain unchallenged going into the final day of the nomination period today.

The incumbent councillors for both wards, Shawn Berry (Linden Lanes) and Jan Chaboyer (Green Acres), are set to be acclaimed if no other candidates come forward.

Last week saw James Montgomery register as a candidate in Victoria ward to take on incumbent Coun. Barry Cullen, and Gordon McRae challenge incumbent Coun. John LoRegio in Meadows-Waverly.

Coun. Jeff Fawcett (Assiniboine) will face JB (Jeff) Plas, while Glen Kruck will run against Coun. Kris Desjarlais in Rosser ward.

University ward is up for grabs after Coun. Jeff Harwood announced he would not seek re-election. Shaun Cameron and Karen Peto are both vying for that seat.

Meanwhile, Richmond ward is set for a three-way race between Coun. Ron Brown, Ron Cayer and Stephen Montague. Brock McEwing will challenge Coun. Glen Parker in Riverview ward.

As of Monday, Mayor Rick Chrest remained unchallenged in his bid for re-election.

» mlee@brandonsun.com

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