Byelection set for mayor, council for Town of Claresholm

By Rob Vogt
Voters will go to the polls on Sept. 18 to elect a new mayor for the Town of Claresholm.
The decision came at the June 12 meeting of Claresholm town council after a presentation by Karine Keys, who has been the chief returning officer in past elections and will be again this time.
She explained that Chelsae Petrovic resigned as mayor effective May 30, the day after the provincial election.
The town has 120 days to fill the vacancy, making Sept. 27 the very last possible day.
Keys noted an election during the summer was a bad idea, noting voter turnout for the last council byelection, that saw Mike Cutler elected, was 35 per cent.
Consequently she wanted to stretch the time as far as possible beyond summer, to increase potential voter turn out.
She proposed Sept. 18 for election day.
Since nomination day has to be four weeks prior to election day, she proposed Aug. 21, at noon, for nomination day.
Keys noted she could start accepting nominations the next day up until noon of nomination day.
If a member of council wants to run for mayor, he or she has to resign from council first, 18 days before nomination day, making that deadline Aug. 3.
However, Keys requested resignations be in prior to council’s July 17 meeting, making that deadline July 13.
She also recommended holding mayor and council elections on the same day.
Coun. Rod Kettles asked what are the rules on quorum if multiple members of council resign?
Keys said four members of council are needed for quorum, that is the minimum number for council to make decisions.
However, the town could go to the minister of municipal affairs and get approval to use three councillors.
Keys recommended Sept. 6 for the advance poll, and the six locations for institutional polls be the same again.
She recommended herself as chief returning officer and Abe Tinney and Blair Bulloch as deputy returning officers.
She also pointed out the cost of the byelection for councillor in 2018 was $3,400; the cost of the vote of the electors plebiscite in 2019 was $4,700; and the cost for this byelection is estimated to be $5,500.
Council then set:
• Sept. 18 for the byelection;
• July 13 for the deadline for councillors to resign if they want to run for mayor;
• Sept. 6 for the advance poll;
• Sept. 18 for institutional polls at the Claresholm General Hospital; Willow Creek Continuing Care Centre; Porcupine Hills Lodge; Cottonwood Village; Heritage manor; and Parkside Manor;
• Karine Keys as chief returning officer and Abe Tinney and Blair Bulloch as deputy returning officers.