Richards acclaimed as Stettler’s mayor After a narrow victory to become mayor of Stettler in the last election, Dick Richards is “thrilled” to maintain his seat uncontested in this year’s election. “I like to think that it is voters’ confidence in me and that the leadership of council is in good hands,” Richards said Tuesday, the day after nominations closed. “I still have a passion for what I do.” Richards was elected in the last election
after a 27-vote victory over Will Brown, who is running for councillor in the campaign for the Oct. 21 election. Serving as mayor for four years, Richards succeeded Jim Hunter, who stepped down when he was appointed a provincial judge. With five incumbent councillors facing six challenges, the mayor is pleased with the strong interest in Stettler’s town
council. “I think it demonstrates that there is a desire to move the town forward and there are a lot of people with a desire to be part of that team,” Richards said. “We have such a diverse group of new candidates.” While two newcomers were defeated in the last election and are back in the race this time around, four are new on the ballot.
The mayor urged voters to get active in the electoral process. “It’s important that the voters engage in the election campaign and find out what each candidate stands for,” Richards said. “If you don’t vote, you don’t have a right to complain about decisions of council.” Prior to taking over the mayor’s seat, Richards served as a councillor for nine years. — Froese
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September 25, 2013
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GOING GREEN — Student council president Maddie Kuefler cuts the ribbon Friday to officially open the green space behind Stettler Middle School. It features trees, benches and pathways. After the ceremony, students and staff headed to West Stettler Park for Terry Fox Day activities. See also pages A6 and B4.
Six challengers bid for town council seats won’t need to go the polls, after all three seats were acclaimed. The winners are longtime mayor Dale Kent, Coun. Sherry Jamieson and newcomer Matthew Koenraadt. Mayors in the villages are selected by council.
RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter While the incumbent, Dick Richards, has been acclaimed as Stettler’s mayor, six challengers face five incumbent councillors in the bid to serve on town council. Nominations closed Monday for the Oct. 21 vote. Will Brown and James Tebbe are seeking council seats after falling short in the last election three years ago. Zachary Jackson, Sean Nolls, Karen Sernecky and James Smith are the newcomers on the ballot. They will face incumbent councillors Malcolm Fischer, who topped the polls last time, Darcy Bachman, Al Campbell and Steve Wildeboer, while Peter Simons will again seek seats on town council and school trustee for the Clearview School Division in the Stettler ward. Brown, the pastor of Stettler Community Church, lost to Richards for the mayoral chair by a slim margin (689-662) in the previous municipal election. Tebbe finished ninth out of 11 candidates for councillor last time around. County reeve victorious For seven councillors in the County of Stettler, two wards were uncontested, while 11 people are vying for five seats. County reeve Wayne Nixon was acclaimed in Donalda–Red Willow (Ward 7). James Nibourg returns unchallenged in
WAYNE NIXON Erskine South–Warden (Ward 5). Byemoor-Endiang has a three-way race as Lawrence Wilkie faces former councillor Les Stulberg, who lost 119118 in the last election, and John Schofer, who also seeks to return as a Clearview School Division trustee after losing three years ago. Former reeve Vic Carey wants to make a comeback when he challenges Greggory Jackson in Botha-Gadsby (Ward 3). Three other wards have two-way battles. Former councillor Dave Grover is set to return to Big Valley (Ward 2) to face Terry Schiffner, who edged Grover 86-82 in the last election. Two brothers are seeking seats in two areas. Joe Gendre is looking to secure his seat in Erskine –Buffalo Lake (Ward 6) against Guy Nietz, who lost to Gendre 134-129 in the last battle. Ernie Gendre has challenged Blake Chapman in the Stettler ward (4). Halkirk councillors all set to return Residents in Halkirk
Big Valley stands pat Voters in Big Valley won’t go to the polls, either, as incumbents Gail Knudtson and Lois Miller and newcomer Ken Johnson have filled the three council seats. Donalda race is on Electors in Donalda will have four names on the ballot to choose three councillors, with Mayor Bruce Gartside and incumbent Dan Knudtson joined by Shane Fox and D. Paul McKay.
Dahmer in Halkirk, Brian Bunbury in Federal, Tyrill Hewitt in Bulwark, Reeve George Glazier in Coronation and Diane Elliott in Brownfield. Mayoralty race in line for Castor Longtime Castor mayor Gary DeVloo is being challenged by Catherine Wylie, while seven candidates are seeking six councillor seats. Ballot newcomers Cody Borek, Richard Elhard, Tony Nichols, Travis Ryan and Lonny Nelner challenge incumbents Brenda Wismer and Rod Zinger. Bashaw in limbo Bashaw Mayor Penny
Shantz was acclaimed, while incumbent Bryan Gust was the only person to file for one of four councillor seats. The nomination term has been extended. “We will keep it open,” said Bashaw returning officer Loretta Paget. Camrose County reports opening Camrose County council reported that the local seat remained unclaimed for Bashaw, Meeting Creek and north (Division 1). Alix set for challenge With the mayor elected by council, Alix has six candidates seeking five seats, as newcomers Vicki Soltermann, Jody Louise
Widmann and Arlene E. Nelson challenge incumbents Curtis Irving Peterson, Robert Fehr and Gordon Christensen. Clive returns five All five seats on Clive council have been acclaimed, as newcomers Marvin Wieler have joined incumbents Anita Tillard, Daniel Graden, Luci Henry and Beverly Krochak. Delburne welcomes same slate All five seats on Village of Delburne council were filled by acclamation, with Amy Beard, Darlene Dushanek, Judith Hogan, Tim Wilson and Mayor Ray Reckseidler back in office.
Botha has four names on ballot Three seats are being contested by four candidates — Fay Betts, Flo Iskiw, Ken Hoekstra and Jim Renschler. Gadsby candidates ready to go For three seats on Gadsby council, Brian Burks, Kim Cooper, Fred Entwisle and Laura Kelly-Stevenson are in the running. No election in plans for County of Paintearth All seven incumbents in the County of Paintearth have been acclaimed. “We will have no elections,” said Tarolyn Peach, the county’s chief administrative officer. New to council, Doreen Blumhagen becomes the second woman on board, representing Halkirk after incumbent Tony Nibourg decided to bow out. She joins current councillors Walter Weber in Castor, Rocky
Voters go to the polls Oct. 21 in local and school board elections. See also Page A3.
Readers can also find the Stettler Independent at stettlerindependent.com