Candidates running for mayor of Claresholm make their pitch

By Rob Vogt

The two men seeking to be mayor of Claresholm were front and centre last week, making their case for ratepayers to choose them.
Challenger Lon Hall and incumbent Brad Schlossberger attended a candidates forum the Claresholm and District Chamber of Commerce and the Claresholm Local Press hosted at the Claresholm Community Centre on Oct. 8.
It was moderated by Doug Leeds, a long-time community volunteer and leader.
Hall said he wants to create opportunities in the community and with other communities.
One example is a mushroom farm opening on the south edge of town and the potential to grow specialty mushrooms for export to Japan.
“There’s great potential here,” he said.
Hall is married and a father of four with one grandchild and another on the way.
He has lived in Japan and the United States as well as Canada.
Hall said he has the ability to connect the dots.
He looks forward to talking to business and commerce about coming to town; revitalizing industry; and bringing in jobs.
Hall said he has an open mind; talks to people; and gathers evidence before making decisions.
Schlossberger has been mayor two years; lived in Claresholm about 50 years; and has been married 44 years with three grown sons living in Lethbridge.
His achievements on council have included purchasing new fire and garbage trucks; Amundsen Park renovations; a completed skatepark; tax incentives for residential and commercial development; creating and selling eight lots at Pine Place; coffee with council sessions; helping with the Soup Bowl; two major infrastructure projects; the start of renovations to Moffatt Park; and three businesses that will bring jobs in plane manufacturing, agriculture and meat processing.
A question and answer period followed with topics including the faith of candidates; how to acknowledge volunteers; water; businesses using local trades; candidate awareness of illicit drug use and trafficking in town; what is being done to attract doctors; how to attract new businesses to town; and more.
Closing statements then followed.
Schlossberger said housing is a challenge and he has met with land owners, builders and developers.
Hall said he prefers clarity over agreement, and wants to bring more opportunity and prosperity to town.