KUMAR, Mitesh
Councillor Candidate
Full-Time EFFORT for Steinbach's Future
"Steinbach is not failing—we are growing."
Local concerns? Contact me 204-381-1865
Councillor Candidate
Full-Time EFFORT for Steinbach's Future
"Steinbach is not failing—we are growing."
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.
For the Steinbach we all love.
Where should we focus our Full-Time EFFORT to manage the growing pains of community?
☔ Basement flooding and stormwater drainage concerns
🚰 Low water pressure and ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with growth
🏘️ Higher-density developments affecting parking, traffic, and neighbourhood character
👵 Growing demand for senior housing and local services for aging residents
🚗 Limited transportation options for workers, youth, and people who do not drive
🏟️ Ensuring the Southeast Event Centre becomes increasingly sustainable and maximizes community value
💲 Rising property assessments, affordability and homelessness concerns
🛣️ Frustrations over potholes, highway boulevard maintenance, and intergovernmental coordination
🔊 Vehicle racing noise, quality-of-life concerns and limited recreational option for youth
🌳 Preserving Steinbach's heritage, community character, and welcoming spirit while continuing to grow
❤️ Recognizing and supporting the incredible work of local volunteers and non-profit organizations
We have organized Steinbach into five colour-coded areas on map to help us stay connected with local area priorities and neighborhood concerns. Community Area Connectors help listen, share information, encourage civic participation, and identify ideas that can strengthen our community. This role is intended to continue beyond the election and help build a stronger culture of engagement at local area level. It's also a great opportunity to gain practical experience to develop future community leadership.
Submit your interest using Contact form. In details field, also mention the area/color of your choice from the map.
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.
Residents deserve a councillor who is visible, available, and actively engaged in community concerns.
Steinbach has benefited from dedicated staff, volunteers, and community-minded leaders who have helped maintain good quality of life.
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.
Public listening sessions
Resident follow-up
Community meetings
Better communication
Stronger intergovernmental coordination
Greater accessibility and visibility
Public Activity log
Digital Tag and Lost Pet Notification
Community issue tracker
Community Area Connectors (CAC)
A city where residents feel informed, respected, and heard
Good decisions require preparation, research, and long-term thinking.
Steinbach has generally planned responsibly and made investments that supported growth and community development.
Councillors must:
Study reports
Ask questions
Understand implications
Research best practices
Evaluate alternatives
These activities require significant time outside regular meetings.
Growth management
Housing planning
Development compatibility
Recreation planning
Transportation planning
Long-term community priorities
Property Improvement Abstract system
Development impact scorecards
Best-practice reviews from other municipalities
A city that plans proactively rather than reacting after problems occur.
Large projects deserve strong oversight and long-term thinking.
Steinbach has invested in recreation, utilities, and infrastructure that position towards growth.
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.
Event Centre sustainability
Grant opportunities
Project monitoring
Financial oversight
Long-term capital planning
Value-for-money reviews
Parking Partnership Program
Enhanced grant tracking
Project progress dashboards
A financially strong city that continues investing in its future while protecting taxpayers.
Many of the issues residents care about require partnerships beyond City Hall.
Steinbach has built strong regional relationships and established itself as South East Monitoba economic hub.
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.
Regional partnerships
Senior advocacy
Transportation solutions
Provincial relationships
Economic development partnerships
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
A city that maintains its identity as Manitoba's Automobile City while embracing practical transportation choices and future economic opportunities.
Growth should strengthen neighborhoods, honor our heritage, and welcome new opportunities.
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."
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.
Neighbourhood consultation
Development compatibility
Respect for heritage
Volunteer and non-profit recognition
Youth, Sports and Hockey initiatives
Recreation opportunities
Mobile safety camera trailers
Non-Profit Grant & Resource Roundtable (GRR)
Lawn Angels volunteer program
Enhanced transition-zone planning
A city that respects its history, values its volunteers, appreciates its diverse residents, and continues growing while preserving the character that makes Steinbach special.
Residents should know what their councillor is working on and how decisions are being made.
Steinbach benefits from professional administration and increasingly modern municipal services.
Municipal government is becoming increasingly complex.
Keeping informed requires time dedicated to:
Research
Learning
Reviewing reports
Understanding emerging issues
Communicating with residents
Transparency
Better online services
Service improvements
Faster permit processes
Public reporting
Open communication
Accountability platform
Public project dashboards
AI-assisted resident information tools
Steinbach Quick Assist Listing
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