Most incumbents in the Town of Stettler are in the running for next month’s municipal election.
While longtime councillor Leona Thorogood announced last winter that she would not seek re-election for a four-year term, the plate is otherwise full with current councillors.
Mayor Dick Richards plans to seek another term as mayor.
“I will run again for mayor,” confirmed Richards, who has served as mayor for four years and on council for 13 years.
“The town has a number of major projects, such as upgrades to the Stettler Recreation Centre, and I owe it to council to follow them through.
“I still have the passion. When the passion goes, I will go.”
Longtime councillor Al Campbell also intends to throw his hat into the ring.
“I know I represent seniors pretty well and I’ve contributed something to council,” said the 18-year council veteran.
Campbell also praised the outgoing Thorogood.
“They will be very large shoes to fill,” he said. “She was a very dedicated councillor, among other things.”
Coun. Peter Simons plans to again in a bid to get re-elected to both the town and Clearview School Division board.
“My intention is to run for both again,” said Simons, who has served on town council for three years and Clearview for four-and-a-half years.
“It has its advantages, being on both the board and town council, and there needs to be co-operation between the two.”
A first-term councillor, Malcolm Fischer, will throw his hat into the ring.
“I plan to run again,” said Fischer, who topped the polls for town councillors three years ago.
“For a second term, I feel like I have made a contribution.”
Steve Wildeboer will seek his second term on council, after serving three years.
“I plan to run again because I enjoy it and I feel I have a lot more to contribute to the community,” he said.
Darcy Bachman also plans to continue as councillor. He has served for four years.
“I look forward to it and many projects we started,” Bachman said.
The nomination day is Sept. 23, while the election is scheduled for Oct. 21.
County of Stettler
All seven members of County of Stettler council appear up for the challenge in the October vote.
Reeve Wayne Nixon has decided to ask for voters in Donalda-Red Willow ward to support him for a new four-year term.
“I’m going to run again,” said Nixon, who has served on council for six years, the past three years as reeve.
“I’m still a rookie, despite my age, and I’ve enjoyed my time on council.
Blake Chapman intends to continue to represent the Stettler ward.
“I’m going to run again,” said Chapman, a veteran of nine years on council.
“I was on council at the start of the raw-water distribution project and I want to see it through, which will be in about two years.”
Joe Gendre is back in the ring to represent Erskine/Buffalo Lake.
“I’m going to run again,” said Gendre, one of the longest-serving councillors for the county.
“We’ve done a lot as council over the last nine years I’ve been on council.”
Greggory Jackson will run again in Botha-Gadsby for a second term.
“I’m going to run again and hopefully get re-elected,” Jackson said. “I enjoyed my first term on council and feel more comfortable and experienced. I want to continue positive change and projects that the county started.”
Lawrence Wilkie will again be on the ballot for Byemoor-Endiang.
“I just want to keep on doing things that need to get done,” Lawrence said. “We fix roads, clean up hamlets and we have water (issues) in this area and the county.”
Terry Schiffner plans to continue to represent Big Valley. “I think I’m going to run again,” said Schiffner, who has served for three years.
“We have a good council and I’ll take another run at it.”
James Nibourg plans to seek re-election for Erskine south Warden.
“A four-year term did weigh heavy,” he said.
Nibourg said he has enjoyed his time on council and is committed to his duties.
“I want to do it and I commit to it and I have nothing better to do.”
Clearview school board
A longtime Stettler trustee for Clearview School Division will not seek re-election to make way for a new voice.
Patty Dittrick indicated she has decided to step aside. She and her husband are moving out of the area.
“When I ran in the 2010 election, I said I believed it would be my last election,” said Dittrick, a trustee for almost 12 years.
“I had decided to make my contribution and it was time for someone with a different energy to step in.
“I think new people will bring fresh and new ideas and that will be positive.”
Dittrick also completes four years as president of the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta in November.
Stettler’s other trustee, Peter Simons, plans to again throw his hat into the ring to get re-elected to both Clearview and councillor for the Town of Stettler.
Others have said they want to return to the school board.
Cheri Neitz will run for the ward representing Erskine and Donalda.
“Schools and the education of students is very important to me,” said Neitz, a trustee for six years.
For the Big Valley area, Yvette Cassidy will again be on the ballot to offer continuity in what she predicts as challenging financial times.
“I do it for the students,” said Cassidy, a trustee for 11 years, who also serves as assistant chief administrative officer for the County of Stettler.
“Decisions for funding will only get tougher and I’d like to provide continuity.”
First-time trustee Rhonda Maginn for the Byemoor-Botha area will seek re-election after three years.
“Yes, I am going to run,” Maginn said.
“I do believe in the public school system and that every single child deserves a wonderful educational experience, and that is why I’m running for Ward 4 school trustee.”
Karen Holloway of the Castor area will again have her name appear on the ballot.
“I am interested to run again,” said Holloway, a trustee for 15 years.
“We have talked about a lot of new things, but haven’t started, and I have lots of experience.”
Board chair Ken Checkel is leaning toward another term to represent Coronation.
“I am thinking about it and I’m very seriously considering running again,” said Checkel, who has served on the board for 15 years, the past seven as chairman.