So we are going to have an election, a mini one, but an election nonetheless.
Which is good, because for a while it didn’t look like we were going to have one at all.
There was even some talk, at least on the town side that there might not even be enough candidates to fill the slate and that the nomination deadline would have to be extended, or that Municipal Affairs would have to get involved.
Thankfully that did not happen.
Town residents will get a chance to select between two candidates for mayor as well as pick their favourite six out of seven candidates as councillors. On the county side, only Division 4 residents need to go to the polls. Unfortunately, Barrhead area residents will not have an opportunity to select who they would like to see represent them as Pembina Hills Public School (PHPS) trustees, as all three candidates are in by acclamation.
All things considered, we are disappointed and more than a little surprised that more people did not choose to run for municipal office or trustee.
Especially considering how contentious the last four years have been.
First, there was the debate over the aquatic centre. What type of building should it be – a sprung structure or a conventional build? What features should it have? How much are we, the taxpayers, willing to spend and how much should the town and county contribute not only to its construction, but its operation. Then there was debate over fire services funding and even if the two municipalities should become one.
And even though the aquatic centre has been built and the ongoing town and county squabble over operational recreation funding should be soon solved once the Alberta Municipal Affairs ordered binding arbitration process is complete, there are still many unresolved issues that remain unresolved.
Trustees have also seen their fair share of controversy over the dismissal of its third-straight superintendent, the school prayer issue at Busby, Dunstable and Pembina North Community Schools. Not to mention how trustees put down their cone of silence, not releasing any information, when anything untoward happened.
That being said, despite the lack of people running that doesn’t mean residents still can’t use the opportunity to question their would be representatives, even if they are being acclaimed. On Wednesday, Oct. 4 the Friends of the Barrhead Library, the Barrhead and District Chamber of Commerce and the Leader are sponsoring a candidate meet-and-greet at the Seniors Drop-In Centre. All the trustee and municipal candidates have been invited and we encourage everyone to attend, hear what the candidates have to say and ask them questions. Regardless of whether a candidate is actually facing a challenge, they are still accountable to the electorate. Take your chance to do so.
