There will be at least one challenger to Sinclair Harrison’s leadership of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities at next week’s annual convention.
Ray Orb of Cupar has announced his name will be on the ballot for president. He said SARM should focus its efforts on the agriculture crisis.
Harrison said he welcomed the competition. It will be the first time his presidency has been challenged since he won the position in a 1994 contest.
“It’s always good for the association if there is an election,” he said. “I will stand on my record.”
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Orb has served on the council of the rural municipality of Cupar for 15 years and is the reeve. He operates a mixed farm including 1,600 acres and 40 cows.
He said many rate-payers have told him they are disappointed with SARM’s position on agriculture.
“The rural municipality members of SARM are a tremendous lobby group for agriculture in this province, but for some time now they have been silent,” he said.
The catalyst for his candidacy was a resolution passed at the mid-term convention held in Regina last fall, calling on SARM to join forces with other groups to pursue an $80 per acre payment for farmers.
Orb said the main thrust of that resolution originated with Harrison’s own municipality of Moosomin and yet nothing has happened.
He said Saskatchewan Wheat Pool used to be the most powerful agricultural lobby group in the province but now SARM has that role. Orb said part of SARM’s problem is that the direction from delegates changes too often. The organization needs to redefine its agriculture policies.
He said other issues requiring action are the tax revolt, roads and amalgamation, but agriculture should come first.
Harrison said it is often the perception from the outside that those on the inside should be doing more.
“SARM is not a one-issue organization,” Harrison said. “There are many issues our members have told us to move ahead on. We’ve got a very solid board doing that.”
Orb said a change in leadership might be good for SARM.
“I have a lot of respect for Sinc Harrison,” Orb said. “I never thought I’d be challenging him.”
Orb added he has heard there may be a third candidate, which would make the election even more interesting.
Harrison, vice-president Neal Hardy, and directors in districts one, three and five are up for election this year. The elections will be held March 9.
Harrison said the new executive takes over immediately.
“So if there’s a change in president,” he said, “you immediately jump right into the frying pan.”
