For the last two Barrhead town council meetings, there has been an unexpected surprise.
There has actually been someone in the public gallery.
Usually when we attend either the regular town or the two county meetings, Woodlands and Barrhead, the only other person in the room who isn’t a councillor or a member of the administrative team, is another media person. The same can be said for school board.
Admittedly, in the case of the county and school board, the morning meetings don’t help attendance, but still there should be more than the occasional visitor.
That is why we were so pleased to see the visitor and even more so when we found out that he is contemplating running for town council.
While we have occasionally disagreed with the choices all of our locally elected officials have made and commented on them, we applaud their decision to serve in public office.
There is nothing nobler than a person choosing to help their fellow citizens, whether it be by volunteering with a service club or by serving as an elected official.
And what better way to decide whether serving as a school board trustee or municipal councillor is the right fit for you then by observing up close and personal how governance works.
However, the clock is ticking, the election for both school board trustee is October 16 and the nomination deadline is Sept. 18.
And while it sounds like there still is a lot of time to make up your mind. There really isn’t. Especially if a person wants to try to learn more about the political system through observation. Councils and school boards traditionally only meet once a month during the summer months.
That means from now to nomination day there are only five or six meetings left.
Of course there are other methods of determining whether public office is for you. Just like job counsellors tell their clients, one of the best ways is to talk to someone who is or has done the job. Alberta Municipal Affairs and the Alberta School Boards Association also publish a free comprehensive information package available online.
To be eligible to run one must be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 years old and lived in Alberta for a minimum of six consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day.
The next term for both councillors and trustees is an important one. Town and county councillors will have to deal with the ramifications of an arbitrated recreation agreement. School boards, on the other hand could be overseeing the implementation of the long awaited curriculum redesign.
Those are just a couple of the potential issues. Of course there will be other ones not even conceived yet. Running for office is an important decision. Use you time wisely and make the right decision.
