Michael Behiel was elected to Humboldt Council in 2016 and is looking to become mayor in 2020. (Facebook/Michael Behiel)

By Mat Barrett

Humboldt Mayoral Candidate

Current councillor running for mayoral seat in Humboldt

Sep 25, 2020 | 8:00 AM

We now know one of the candidates looking to take the position of mayor in the City of Humboldt.

Current councillor, Michael Behiel, made the announcement on Facebook Wednesday morning that he would be running for mayor in the coming election.

The announcement came just hours after Rob Muench announced that he would not run for a second term as mayor. Behiel said he wants to keep up with the work that Muench and council has done over the last four years.

“I was really concerned that some of that might go by the wayside,” he said. “So, I felt that there was a need for someone with experience to step forward and continue to shepherd the city into the next four years.”

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Behiel told northeastNOW he thought about being mayor before, but wasn’t going to run against Rob Muench.

A native of Humboldt, Behiel was elected to council in 2016, and also owns and operates Behiel Tax and Accounting in the city. He says his background in finance administration, and government bureaucracy can make him a good leader for the city.

“Most importantly, I have a passion for the City of Humboldt,” Behiel said. “And I never try to put any interests of anybody, or myself, ahead of what’s best for the City of Humboldt. I always look forward to how we can make this place shine as the most enviable place in the province.”

Being on council, Behiel said he’s learned there’s always more to learn, there’s always a need for input from the public, and he’s learned a lot more about the municipal side of politics. Relationship building at all levels was something Behiel said he’s learned as well.

Behiel called his four years on council “unprecedented”, saying they used to have 23-hour budget deliberations, and have since brought that down to three and a half in 2019. He added now the city has funded reserves, and it’s his interest to continue with numerous infrastructure projects in the city. Keeping tax increases low, while still completing projects and taking advantage of funding to keep the city’s low overhead are priorities for Behiel.

“I’m really confident and optimistic that we’re going to see a massive improvement in Humboldt’s quality of infrastructure and life in the upcoming years,” he said. “As a result.”

As for his campaign this election, Behiel said he considers himself a working man and wants to get out and talk to people. He said improving his social media presence will be a key as well, and like it was in 2016, he wants to hear people’s concerns.

“My door is always open,” he said. “I encourage you to come down with concerns or questions, because that’s how I’m going to be an effective leader, by hearing what it is out there that I don’t see myself.”

Voters head to the polls on Monday, Nov. 9.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6