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Two councillor seats dropped from Falher
Rick Froese
Smoky River Express
For the first time since 1989, voters in the Town of Falher will elect a full council in municipal elections on Oct. 18 – but with a reduced number of councilors.
Besides electing a mayor, voters will also cast ballots for four councilors – down from six – after Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Guy Boutilier reduced the number since just five nominations were received by the deadline which stretched to the full extension.
“The minister passed a ministerial order which reduces the size of council to five members for this election,” says Town Administrator Gerard Nicolet who serves as returning officer for the elections.
If insufficient nominations to fill all vacancies are not received, the municipal administrator shall immediately notify the Minister of Municipal Affairs who may recommend a change in the status of the local jurisdiction (municipality) or any other action the minister considers necessary, states the Local Authorities Elections Act.
“We notified the minister and it’s the minister’s decision,” says Nicolet.
“Council can decide at a later date by bylaw to increase the number of seats, although it would only become effective at the following general election – under the Act.”
Mayor Margaret Tardif is being challenged by Councillor Gerald Caron for the mayor’s chair in the first election since 1989.
For six positions, Nicolet received five nominations – from newcomer Guy Beaudoin and incumbent councilors Donna Buchinski, Philippe Dube, Victor Fournier, and Trudie Lavoie-Olsen.
Now these five candidates will seek four seats for councilor.
With one vacancy, the minister had two main options that could include the five nominations appointed by acclamation and a by-election called at a later date, or to downsize council.
“The minister has authority to downsize from a council of seven to five,” says Nicolet.
The minister could have also downgraded the Town of Falher to a village with a permanent reduced council of one mayor and four councilors.
Advance poll Oct. 15
With election day on Oct. 18 at the Log Cabin from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Falher voters will also be able to cast their ballots at an advance poll on Oct. 15 at the town office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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