Councillor Candidate for a Full-Time EFFORT, not pay

Whether during or after the election, you may contact me at 204-381-1865 between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM or visit the Activity Page anytime for updates on my council related and community activities, meetings, phone availability, Community Area Connectors (CACs), and annual accountability reports. My day usually begins around 4:00 AM. To support my commitment to Full-Time EFFORT, I have reduced my regular job to a part-time 4:00–9:00 AM schedule to ensure my availability during business hours.

My vision is a Steinbach that respects its heritage, welcomes new opportunities, and continues to grow as a strong community for all generations. I believe our growing community deserves Full-Time EFFORT, thoughtful planning, and accessible leadership. I hope to personally knock on every door in Steinbach with my Profile cover letter and resume to earn one of your votes.

Community service is my passion, which brings meaning, happiness and satisfaction to my life. I am not promising to solve every issue or spend irresponsibly. I am promising additional time, preparation, engagement, follow-through, and Full-Time EFFORT toward the responsibilities of a councillor.

My name is KUMAR Mitesh, a Canadian citizen and a Steinbach resident for the past 10 years. I hold a degree in Business, a post-graduate diploma from George Brown College, and multiple certificates from community colleges. I work as a Sales Support staff at an industrial wholesaler, and I also provide part-time consultation services for startups, business visas, and related services.

My wife, Monika, operates a takeout business from a commercial kitchen, and our son works as a cook and will soon be graduating from Steinbach Regional Secondary School (SRSS).

I first ran for City Council in 2018 because I believed Steinbach's future required practical planning and long-term thinking. Even after that election, I continued advocating for community priorities, including transportation initiatives and community integration. I have served as Treasurer on the board of Steinbach Summer in the City and I have also contributed to a regional public transit advocacy coalition. Most recently, I signed up to volunteer with a hospital lifeline program that focuses on providing Medical Alert services for many seniors in Steinbach.

My belief is not that Steinbach is failing. My belief is that growth creates new opportunities and new challenges that would require additional planning, oversight, transparency, engagement, and Full-Time EFFORT.

Six Key Duties of a Councillor — and Why Full-Time EFFORT Can Make a Difference 

City by-laws give every councillor essentially the same responsibilities. I am not seeking additional authority or pay. I am making a commitment to dedicate significantly more time and effort toward carrying out those responsibilities. Not because we are failing, but because we are growing. 

Steinbach has become one of Manitoba's success stories because of the hard work of residents, businesses, volunteers, non-profit organizations, City staff, and successive leaders.

As our city continues to grow, I believe additional councillor time and involvement can help strengthen communication, improve follow-through, accelerate progress, and better prepare our community for future opportunities and challenges.

1. COMMUNITY WELL-BEING & RESIDENT ADVOCACY

Residents deserve a councillor who is visible, available, and actively engaged in community concerns.

What Has Worked Well

Steinbach has benefited from dedicated staff, volunteers, and community-minded leaders who have helped maintain good quality of life.

Why Full-Time Effort Helps

Growth creates more resident concerns:

• Flooding

• Water pressure

• Street conditions

• Transportation

• Development impacts

• Neighbourhood concerns

• Quality-of-life issues

• Pet safety and tagging 

These require ongoing listening, follow-up, relationship building, and advocacy.

Priorities

• Public listening sessions

• Resident follow-up

• Community meetings

• Better communication

• Stronger intergovernmental coordination

• Greater accessibility and visibility

Innovative Ideas

• Public Activity log

• Digital Tag and Lost Pet Notification

• Community issue tracker

• Community Area Connectors (CAC)

Long-Term Vision

A city where residents feel informed, respected, and heard

2. POLICY DEVELOPMENT & LONG-TERM PLANNING

Good decisions require preparation, research, and long-term thinking.

What Has Worked Well

Steinbach has generally planned responsibly and made investments that supported growth and community development.

Why Full-Time Effort Helps

Councillors must:

• Study reports

• Ask questions

• Understand implications

• Research best practices

• Evaluate alternatives

These activities require significant time outside regular meetings.

Priorities

• Growth management

• Housing planning

• Development compatibility

• Recreation planning

• Transportation planning

• Long-term community priorities

Innovative Ideas

• Property Improvement Abstract system

• Development impact scorecards

• Best-practice reviews from other municipalities

Long-Term Vision

A city that plans proactively rather than reacting after problems occur.

3. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES & MAJOR PROJECT OVERSIGHT

Large projects deserve strong oversight and long-term thinking.

What Has Worked Well

Steinbach has invested in recreation, utilities, and infrastructure that position towards growth. 

Why Full-Time Effort Helps

Growth brings increasingly complex projects:

• Infrastructure investments

• Event Centre operations

• Utilities

• Drainage systems

• Recreation facilities

• Economic development initiatives

These projects require ongoing review and oversight.

Priorities

• Event Centre sustainability

• Grant opportunities

• Project monitoring

• Financial oversight

• Long-term capital planning

• Value-for-money reviews

Innovative Ideas

• Parking Partnership Program

• Enhanced grant tracking

• Project progress dashboards

Long-Term Vision

A financially strong city that continues investing in its future while protecting taxpayers.

4. INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS & REGIONAL ADVOCACY

Many of the issues residents care about require partnerships beyond City Hall.

What Has Worked Well

Steinbach has built strong regional relationships and established itself as South East Monitoba economic hub.

Why Full-Time Effort Helps

Many priorities depend upon continuous advocacy:

• Senior housing

• Healthcare access

• Transportation

• Provincial highways

• Flood assistance

• Affordablity and homelessness

Relationships and advocacy require time and persistence.

Priorities

• Regional partnerships

• Senior advocacy

• Transportation solutions

• Provincial relationships

• Economic development partnerships

Innovative Ideas

• Financially sustainable on-demand public transit

• Senior Housing & Healthy Aging Initiative 

• Regional transportation partnerships

• Exploring Steinbach as a Canadian pilot community for electric vehicle (EV)

• Collaboration with local automotive businesses on future mobility opportunities

Long-Term Vision

A city that maintains its identity as Manitoba's Automobile City while embracing practical transportation choices and future economic opportunities.

5. COMMUNITY PRESENCE, NEIGHBOURHOODS & QUALITY OF LIFE

Growth should strengthen neighborhoods, honor our heritage, and welcome new opportunities.

What Has Worked Well

Steinbach's heritage, entrepreneurial spirit, volunteer culture, and openness to newcomers have helped make it one of Manitoba's success stories. The extraordinary work performed by local non-profit organizations and volunteers continues to strengthen Steinbach every day.

As well-known past President of Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) Gerhard Ens observed:

"The old boundaries are disappearing, and we are learning to see that there is good in others as well."

Why Full-Time Effort Helps

Growth creates pressures involving:

• Development compatibility

• Parking and Traffic

• Noise and Air Quality

• Community character

• Recreation needs

• Neighbourhood expectations

These issues require time, relationship building, and ongoing engagement.

Priorities

• Neighbourhood consultation

• Development compatibility

• Respect for heritage

• Volunteer and non-profit recognition

• Youth, Sports and Hockey initiatives

• Recreation opportunities

Innovative Ideas

• Mobile safety camera trailers

• Non-Profit Grant & Resource Roundtable (GRR)

• Lawn Angels volunteer program

• Enhanced transition-zone planning

Long-Term Vision

A city that respects its history, values its volunteers, appreciates its diverse residents, and continues growing while preserving the character that makes Steinbach special.

6. CONTINUOUS LEARNING, TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY

Residents should know what their councillor is working on and how decisions are being made.

What Has Worked Well

Steinbach benefits from professional administration and increasingly modern municipal services.

Why Full-Time Effort Helps

Municipal government is becoming increasingly complex.

Keeping informed requires time dedicated to:

• Research

• Learning

• Reviewing reports

• Understanding emerging issues

• Communicating with residents

Priorities

• Transparency

• Better online services

• Service improvements

• Faster permit processes

• Public reporting

• Open communication

Innovative Ideas

• Accountability platform

• Public project dashboards

• AI-assisted resident information tools 

• Steinbach Quick Assist Listing 

Long-Term Vision

A modern, transparent, accountable local government that residents can easily understand and engage with. 

KEY INNOVATIVE IDEAS - MUNICIPAL PRACTICALITY & AFFORDABILITY

Most of these ideas focus on better coordination, transparency, partnerships, and technology rather than increased spending. Nearly all could be implemented using existing resources, volunteers, sponsorships, partnerships, user fees, grants, or costs that are negligible on a household basis.

⭐ Non-Profit Grant & Resource Roundtable (GRR)
Steinbach's non-profits solve problems every day that government could never solve alone. Lets create a city-supported forum where local non-profits can share information about grants, training opportunities, volunteer needs, professional mentorship, and partnerships.
Estimated Cost: Primarily meeting coordination with negligible cost and significant community benefit.

⭐ Senior Housing & Healthy Aging Initiative
Explore the establishment of a Senior Housing & Healthy Aging Task Force, bringing together community partners to monitor future needs, improve coordination, and advocate for additional housing and services for seniors  
Estimated Cost: Primarily meeting coordination with negligible cost and significant community benefit.

⭐ Activity Log & Accountability Platform  (Optional for other council member)
A permanent online log summarizing my community work, meetings, advocacy efforts, and progress on commitments with support of Community Area Connectors (CAC)
Estimated Cost: $0. Personally maintained.

⭐ Community Issue Tracker
A simple online dashboard allowing residents to see community concerns and project updates by category.
Estimated Cost: Minimal software cost, likely under $0.25 per average household annually.

⭐ Digital Tag & Lost Pet Notification System
An optional digital pet identification and notification system to help reunite lost pets with owners more quickly.
Estimated Cost: Self-funded through optional pet tag fees or sponsorships.

⭐ Property Improvement Abstract System
Optional, small-fee property reports showing permit history and improvements since ownership changes. Helps buyers make informed decisions and helps sellers demonstrate value.
Estimated Cost: Self-funded through user fees and may generate modest revenue.

⭐ Development Impact Scorecards
Simple public summaries explaining how major developments may affect parking, traffic, infrastructure, and neighbourhood compatibility.
Estimated Cost: Minimal administrative cost using existing processes.

⭐ Parking Partnership Program
Explore collobrative voluntary or paid agreements with homeowners, churches, and businesses to increase available parking near hospitals and major venues.
Estimated Cost: Potentially revenue-neutral or self-funded through partnership arrangements.

⭐ Enhanced Grant Tracking & Project Dashboards
Public dashboards showing major projects, milestones, grant opportunities, and implementation progress.
Estimated Cost: Minimal technology costs, likely under $0.25 per average household annually.

⭐ Financially Sustainable On-Demand Public Transit
Continue exploring practical transportation solutions with grants, partnerships, phased pilots, and regional cooperation while keeping municipal costs as low as possible.
Estimated Cost: Any pilot should be substantially grant-supported and designed to minimize property tax impacts.

⭐ Steinbach Electric Vehicle (EV) Pilot Community
Explore opportunities for Steinbach to attract EV infrastructure investment and partnerships while supporting our local automotive sector and enhancing our "Automobile City"  brand.
Estimated Cost: Primarily grant and private-sector driven.

⭐ Mobile Safety Camera Trailers
Portable equipment that can be temporarily deployed in problem areas to gather information, improve awareness, and support community safety initiatives.
Estimated Cost: Potentially shared regionally, grant-supported, or implemented at negligibl annual cost.

⭐ Lawn Angels Volunteer Program
A volunteer matching program connecting seniors and residents with accessible or health related challenges, needing assistance with community volunteers and students seeking service opportunities.
Estimated Cost: Volunteer-driven with negligible cost.

⭐ AI-Assisted Opportunity Tool 
Simple digital tools that help residents quickly find information about permits, programs, contacts, and frequently asked questions. Also generates business and development possibility report, based on details, zone, market etc.
Estimated Cost: Low-cost technology that could potentially reduce administrative workload.

⭐ Steinbach Quick Assist Listing
A voluntary community resource directory that helps residents quickly locate equipment and services during urgent situations such as flooding, sewer backups, storms, power outages, and other emergencies. 
Estimated Cost: Likely negligible and potentially less than $0.25 per average household annually 

It's often more about will, partnerships, and Full-Time EFFORT than about cost. 

The vast majority of these ideas:
• Are within normal municipal powers and responsibilities in Manitoba;
• Do not require major new staffing or facilities;
• Rely primarily on partnerships, volunteers, information sharing, and technology;
• Could be implemented at negligible cost or through grants, user fees, sponsorships, and existing resources.

Many are likely to cost little or nothing to residents and several may be entirely self-funding or revenue-neutral.

Priorities - Identified by City of Steinbach

Many of the priorities listed in this platform are not new. They align closely with City of Steinbach Priorities already identified in below plans. 

🟢 Community Safety & Well-Being Plan (CSWB)

• Housing and Houselessness
• Mental Health and Addiction
• Community Safety and Policing
• Children and Youth
• Access to Services
• Transportation
• Community Belonging and Inclusion

🟢 Official Community Plan (OCP)

• Economic Diversity
• Parks and Green Space
• Efficient Land Use
• Cost-Effective Infrastructure
• Sustainable Population Growth

🟢 Strategic Priorities & Budget Initiatives

• Transportation Networks
• Public Safety
• Recreational Spaces
• Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
• Administrative Capacity
• Project Delivery Capacity
• Preparing for Unprecedented Growth

My commitment is not to reinvent City priorities, but to dedicate additional time and Full-Time EFFORT toward understanding, communicating, advocating for, and helping advance many of these important community goals. 

Steinbach's businesses, commercial property owners, and entrepreneurs create jobs, sponsor community events, support local charities, and help keep property taxes affordable by strengthening our tax base. Their success is closely tied to the future success of our entire community.

A stronger Steinbach depends on good infrastructure, responsible project oversight, practical transportation solutions, economic development partnerships, efficient permit processes, transparency, Event Centre sustainability, long-term planning, regional advocacy, and future opportunities such as electric vehicle infrastructure and future mobility opportunities. My goal is to help Steinbach remain a business-friendly community that continues attracting investment, creating jobs, and expanding opportunities while preserving the values that make Steinbach special

Thank you

KUMAR, Mitesh

Full-Time EFFORT for Steinbach's Future

I look forward to listening, learning, and continuing the conversation about Steinbach's future

Few asked me straight questions:  

Are you a Christian? 

I come from a diverse background, but I deeply value faith and community. I have many Christian friends and love visiting our local churches—especially during Christmas. It is incredibly peaceful to attend local worship services and receive God's blessings alongside my neighbors.  

Are you a Mennonite?

No, I am not. However, I have deep respect for the Mennonite heritage, faith, values, and generations of families whose hard work, volunteer spirit, and community leadership helped shape Steinbach into the community we enjoy today. As Steinbach continues to grow and welcome people from many backgrounds, I am inspired by the words of the late Gerhard Ens, former President of Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV):

"The old boundaries are disappearing, and we are learning to see that there is good in others as well."

I believe Steinbach's future is strongest when we honor our heritage, appreciate the contributions of all residents, and continue building a welcoming community together..

Immigration supports Steinbach?

My primary job is Sales Support at an industrial wholesale company. My part-time consulting services are highly specialized, focusing almost exclusively on commercial startups, business visas, and family programs. I do almost zero work related to local student visas or general work permits within Steinbach 

Love for Hockey?

We absolutely love hockey! It is the cultural heartbeat of Steinbach. The sport brings families together, teaches our youth incredible life skills, and bonds our entire multicultural community under one shared passion. I fully support our local sports, youth hockey, and recreation infrastructure. 

Why are you committing to Full-Time EFFORT?

This campaign has never been about my name, title, or personal ambition. It has always been about Steinbach's future. Before deciding to run, I encouraged several talented, community-minded people to consider serving on Council. I truly believe Steinbach is fortunate to have many capable residents who care deeply about our community. When those individuals chose not to run, I decided to step forward and make the commitment myself. I believe Steinbach's continued growth creates opportunities and challenges that deserve additional time, preparation, engagement, and oversight. My promise is simple: I will dedicate Full-Time EFFORT to learning, listening, advocating, and following through on the responsibilities entrusted to me by residents. I am not asking for additional authority or pay—only the opportunity to serve and contribute more time to our community's future.

Please use Contact form to invite me