Lorilyn Shirley Mayor candidate for Glenboro South Cypress

“I’ve never stayed anywhere too long, I never had the desire to,” said Lorilyn Shirley who has surprised herself when she set her roots down in Glenboro. After years of moving from place to place, the Saskatchewan native says this is the first community where she can truly picture staying long term.

That sense of belonging is what inspired her to enter the race for Mayor in the October election.

“I’ve never really cared what happens in a community because I never thought I would stay,” Shirley said. “But when I moved to Glenboro, there was just something about it. I felt comfortable, the people were wonderful, and I could see myself living here for a long time. If I’m going to stay, I want to make it better.”

Originally from Carlisle, Saskatchewan, Shirley says she isn’t interested in simply criticizing what a town lacks. She wants to take action.

“If I see something that isn’t right, instead of sitting back and complaining about it, I would rather try to do something about it.”
When asked about her agenda, she answered that rather focusing on one single issue, she says her campaign is centered on long-term growth and sustainability.

She believed the community has tremendous potential but needs more amenities, housing and businesses to attract people to live, work and stay in town.

“We are further from a larger centres than communities like Carberry, but they have more amenities. I started asking myself why don’t we have more here.”

Among the concerns she hears most often are the lack of available housing, limited shopping options, more sidewalks, recreation amenities and opportunities for young people.

“I don’t want to see Glenboro become a town where kids grow up and immediately leave because there isn’t anything here for them.
While she acknowledges that major projects take time, she believes smaller improvements could also make a meaningful difference.

“A dog park, more sidewalks, a splash park; things like that may be more attainable. Sometimes it’s the little improvements that really impact people’s quality of life.”

She also believes Glenboro is uniquely positioned to capitalize on its natural surroundings.

“We have Spirit Sands desert on one side and a beautifully treed park across from it. It’s such a unique place.”

Shirley feels the community could do more to attract visitors travelling to and from Spruce Woods Provincial Park by offering more services such as restaurants, coffee shops and convenience shopping.

“If people coming from the park had more reasons to stop in Glenboro instead of driving elsewhere, that helps local businesses, creates jobs and strengthens the community year round.”

She recognizes that attracting business is part of a larger cycle involving housing, childcare, healthcare and workforce availability.
“It’s all connected. Businesses need employees. Employees need housing and often childcare. Doctors want communities with amenities. Everything affects everything else.”

Another of her concerns is preserving the future of small towns.

She worries that increasing reliance on online shopping, and larger urban centres makes rural communities more vulnerable.

“I don’t want to see small towns disappear. They matter.”

She encourages residents to support local businesses whenever possible, even when prices may be slightly higher.

“If everyone shops somewhere else, eventually those local businesses won’t be there when you need them.”

Although she has never served on municipal council, Shirley has attended recent council meetings and shared she is eager to learn.
She also wants to make municipal government more accessible, particularly for younger residents.

One idea she would like to introduce is posting short video summaries of council meetings explaining major decisions in plain language.

“The meetings are public, but not everyone has time to sit through hours of discussion or read council minutes. I’d like people to understand what’s happening and why.”

She hopes better communication will encourage more interest as well as result in better turn outs at the polls as well as become more active in local government.

For Shirley, running for mayor comes down to wanting Glenboro to remain a thriving place for future generations.

“My daughter talks about moving away, and that’s normal. Most small-town kids want to see the world. But I’d love for there to still be a beautiful little town to come back to.”

She reported being thrilled and encouraged by the positive response she has received since announcing her candidacy.

“People have been very supportive. They like the ideas, and they want to see Glenboro continue to grow.”

For Shirley, that’s exactly what this campaign is about: helping to ensure that the community she now calls home continues to thrive for years to come.