Mayor & Town Council

Mayor Michelle McKenzie

Michelle McKenzie was born and raised in Maple Creek. She was first elected to Town Council in 2012 for a 4-year term as Town Councillor. In 2016, Michelle ran for a second term as Town Councillor and was re-elected. In May 2018, when former Mayor, Barry Rudd, retired, Michelle put her name forward to act as Inter-Mayor until the by-election. On September 12, 2018, Michelle was elected Mayor of the Town of Maple Creek for the remainder of the 2016-2020 term. Michelle was acclaimed Mayor on October 8, 2020 for a 4-year term.

Michelle has a certificate as a special care aid (currently called Continuing Care Aid), from Sask Polytech. She is currently employed with the Saskatchewan Health Authority at the Southwest Integrated Healthcare Facility. Michelle has been a Continuing Care Aid for 21 years.

She and her husband, Jerry McKenzie, have one daughter, Telysia. They are the proud grandparents to one grandson, Korbyn.

As Mayor, Michelle sits on all Committees of Council. She is also currently the co-chair of the Southwest Municipal Government Committee and the alternate Southwest Area Director for Municipalities of Saskatchewan.

Town Councillor - Betty Abbott

Betty was first elected to the Town of Maple Creek Council in 2020 and is grateful to have been re-elected in 2024. A proud lifelong resident of Maple Creek, she completed grades 1 through 12 locally before attending business school in Medicine Hat.

In 2004, she earned her Saskatchewan Real Estate Course certification and has worked in real estate ever since. In 2009, Betty opened her own brokerage, Abbott Realty, which she now operates alongside her daughter, Kelsey.

Her career journey also includes nine years with the Bank of Montreal and part-time roles at A&B Hardware and Kelli Dee Floral before transitioning into real estate full-time.

Betty is deeply committed to her community, having volunteered with the Maple Creek Chamber of Commerce, the Welcome Committee, the Heritage Advisory, and the Southwest Oldtimers Museum since 2007. Since joining Council, she has proudly represented Maple Creek on the Cypress Hills-Grasslands Destination Area Board, the Southwest Hospital Trust, and the Southwest Saskatchewan Tourism & Business Attraction HUB.

Family is her greatest treasure. As a mother of three and grandmother to three, Betty cherishes every moment she can spend with them. In her downtime, she enjoys good dramas like The Green Mile, Shawshank Redemption, and Schindler’s List, as well as classic literature by John Steinbeck (East of Eden, The Grapes of Wrath, and Of Mice and Men). Recently, her favorite stories are those read to her by her grandchildren.

Betty looks forward to serving Maple Creek over the next four years, fostering growth and prosperity for her beloved community. 

Town Councillor - Len Barkman

Len Barkman was first elected to the Town of Maple Creek Council in November 2020 for a four-year term and was re-elected in 2024 to serve another four years. With a strong commitment to his community and a passion for service, Len brings decades of experience and leadership to his role.

Len graduated high school in 1975 and earned a Bachelor of Religious Education (B.R.E.) in 1981. His dedication to youth and community is evident in his 40+ years of work with youth groups in camps, churches, and schools. He has also coached and refereed junior and senior high basketball, volunteered as a firefighter, and participated in numerous mission trips to Mexico.

A skilled handyman and business owner, Len also works as a full-time bus driver for the Chinook School Division. His love for hands-on projects extends to woodworking, which is one of his favorite pastimes, along with fishing, big game hunting, and enjoying spy, murder, and mystery novels.

Family is central to Len’s life. Married to his wife Jan for 45 years, they’ve lived in six different locations (three in Alberta and three in Saskatchewan), resided in 13 homes, and driven 16 vehicles together. They are proud parents of five married children and doting grandparents to 16 grandchildren, ranging from 1.5 to 20 years old.

Len is a fan of historical war movies, with Battle of the Pacific(Midway) being one of his favorites. He looks forward to continuing his service on Council, contributing to the growth and well-being of Maple Creek.

Town Councillor - Tina Cresswell

Tina has lived in Maple Creek with her husband for 20 years and has operated several businesses in town during that time. She was first elected to Council in 2009, and served until 2016. She was then elected to serve again in a 2021 by-election. Tina has a keen interst in community service and volunteers on local and provincial boards. She is an avid chaos gardener, cook, wool worker and reader. As well, has worked in journalism and business writing and keeps in practice by writing essays and short stories, both for personal enjoyment and for local groups when asked. Her adiding interest in supporting local business and growing the local economy is reflected in her work in tourism and economic development. Oh, and she loves coffee. 

Town Councillor - Corrine Collura

Town Councillor - Shane Wurtz

Town Councillor - Leah Baratta

Leah was first acclaimed to council in 2022 during a by-election. She has a Bachelor of Arts from University of Western Ontario, a Bachelor of Education fron Nipissing University and her Masters of Educational Administration from the University fo Saskatchewan. 

In her younger years, she played soccer, participated in track & field at a competitive level excelling in the 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m relay, she still holds records today. Most of her time is spent with her husband and childeren. Winter is spent at the rink and summer is spent camping, swimming or other outdoor activities. 

She has been an educator for 14 years, teaching in the Northwest Territories and rural Saskatchewan. Currently working for Chinook School Division as the principal and teacher at Downie Lake Colony School. 

She married her best friend, John Baratta and together they have five (5) children. The children are their pride and joy and number one priority. 

She currently sits on the Library Board. Some of her favorite TV series are: Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder and Lincoln Lawyer. Her favorite book is My Uptmost for His Highest by Oswalk Chambers.