The deadline for the Division 8 byelection candidate nomination was Oct. 19 and three candidates have stepped forward to vie for the role of Division 8 councillor. The seat was formerly held by Al Sacuta who passed away on Aug. 23.
Eric Lowther, Valerie Anne Murdoff and Samanntha Wright will be campaigning for the opportunity to represent the residents of the Bearspaw area.
Lowther, former Rocky View 2020 executive director, participated in the 2013 election and received 46 per cent of votes but ultimately lost the seat to Sacuta who received 53 per cent of votes.
Murdoff has lived in Bearspaw for ten years, and during that time was actively involved with the community as Assistant Principal at Bearspaw School from 2002 to 2009. After spending 34 years working as an educator, Murdoff has recently retired and is hoping to use her confidence, transparency and strong voice to represent the residents of her division.
Wright moved to Bearspaw almost a decade ago to raise her three children in the “idyllic” country residential lifestyle the area is known for. With a background in political science and public relations, Wright hopes to work with RVC administration to ensure that the community remains sustainable and viable in the face of development pressures.
According to Lowther, a public forum is being organized by the Bearspaw Community Association, but a date and location has not been confirmed as of press time.
“There are several issues the electorate may want to focus on in terms of what they need to know from these candidates,” said RVC Reeve Margaret Bahcheli. “That way, you won’t need to be surprised if you’ve gone into the election choosing the candidate that best represents your personal feelings.”
Residents are eligible to vote in the byelection if they are a Canadian citizen 18 years of age or older who has resided in Division 8 consecutively since May 15, and is a resident of Division 8 on Nov. 16.
Outreach voting for the incapacitated or housebound will be available on Nov. 6, but residents who would like to take advantage of this program will need to apply by Nov. 2. Advance voting will take place on Nov. 6 at the Rocky View Municipal Building from noon to 8 p.m. and on Nov. 14 from noon to 8 p.m. at RockPointe Church.
Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at RockPointe Church, will be the last chance Division 8 residents have to cast their votes in the byelection.
“The more people who vote, the more likely it is that the successful candidate will be representing the overall opinion of the residents in that area,” said Jennifer Sinclair, public information officer with RVC, in an interview on Sept. 21. “This councillor will be bringing the perspective of those residents to the County.”
Residents are encouraged to look for election signage throughout the area, sign up for RVC’s Safe and Sound program to receive the latest official information and watch for advertisements in the Rocky View Weekly, Sinclair added.
For specific information about each candidate, visit their websites: ericlowther.ca, valmurdoff.com and wrightforbearspaw.com
For more information about the voting process or to submit an application for outreach voting, visit rockyview.ca
