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Richards acclaimed new mayor

Town of Stettler voters will head to the polls for a byelection Oct. 19 with three candidates vying for the single vacant seat on council while longtime councilor Dick Richards fills the mayor’s chair by acclamation.

Town of Stettler voters will head to the polls for a byelection Oct. 19 with three candidates vying for the single vacant seat on council while longtime councilor Dick Richards fills the mayor’s chair by acclamation.

“We’ll definitely have a byelection,” said returning officer Greg Switenky, assistant chief administrative officer for the town.

Ballots for the councilor seat will list the names of former Bashaw mayor Darcy Bachman, Trent Cottom and former Botha mayor Sherry Larter.

Richards resigned his seat on council to seek the vacancy for mayor after longtime mayor Jim Hunter resigned in July when he was appointed a provincial court judge.

“I look forward to the new challenge and this gives me an opportunity to continue on with many projects in the town,” said mayor-elect Richards, who was first elected as councilor in 2001.

“I hope to live up to the expectations of residents and do as good a job as previous mayors.”

Town of Stettler’s new mayor is scheduled to be sworn in later this week with the next council meeting set for Oct. 6.

Successors to both seats will complete the current three-year term that expires with the next general municipal election in October 2010.

Mayor-elect Richards is pleased to see a field of three in the race to fill the seat he vacated.

“It will give voters a good choice with qualified candidates,” he said.

“This shows that people are interested in their community.”

Candidates for councilor are eager to serve on council.

“I’ve got lots of experience and I love municipal government“, ‘said Bachman, who served as mayor for the Town of Bashaw for two years to end 13 years on council before moving to Stettler, where his bid for a councilor seat fell short in the last general election in 2007.

“I like to know what’s going on in the community, how everything works of council, and making decisions,” said Larter, who served as mayor of the Village of Botha for three years earlier this decade and a total of seven years on council.

Cottom could not be reached for comment by presstime.

Voters will cast ballots on Oct. 19 at Stettler Community Hall from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with an advance poll also being scheduled.