Nominations for the Oct. 21 municipal election ran from 10 a.m. to noon today, and at the Town of Athabasca offices, many candidates keep their promises to run. One previously unannounced candidate entered the race, too.
Incumbent Roger Morrill was the first through the town office doors this morning to make his efforts to continue as mayor official.
Morrill has previously told the Advocate, “I feel I have the passion, drive and commitment to offer a voice to future possibilities for Athabasca.” Those possibilities, according to Morrill, include a new swimming pool and library, a possible truck bypass, and light industrial expansion in the area least likely to affect residential quality of life.
Current town councillor George Hawryluk made good on his intention to run for mayor this time around.
Hawryluk said he has three reasons for running. After nine years on council, he said knows he has what it takes to be a successful leader of a council that is willing to challenge and address municipal issues big or small to the satisfaction of all parties involved. He said he would like to bring infrastructure, the economy, and social/cultural needs of the town and its citizens up to 21st-century standards. He would also like to wrap up some unfinished business left by the last council.
Barbara Bell, who announced she would run for mayor several weeks ago, said she wants to see public input to make Athabasca grow to fully service not only the people of the town, but also the surrounding areas that patronize town.
“I want to bring truth, honesty, fairness and accountability into this council,” said Bell.
Nichole Adams, up to this point best known for being vice-president of the Athabasca Ratepayers’ Association, said she has spent eight years here raising her family and would like to make changes for the better of all residents.
“My taxes went up this year, too,” said Adams. “I just want to help ensure that our tax dollars are being spent wisely.”
Tanu Tyszka-Evans, the youngest of the candidates, said he believed it is vital for his generation to step up to the plate. He has lived in Athabasca for most of his life and said he would like to see the town run well. That means an end to what he characterizes as the “exclusive clubhouse mentality” of municipal politics.
Long-standing resident Steve Schafer made his candidacy officially known for the first time this morning. Schafer, who has worked at the Athabasca University Library and has a background in university management, international committees and regional consortiums, said it was not his idea to run. Others approached him and encouraged him to run starting about a year ago, and those requests increased as the nomination day approached until he decided to contribute what he can to council.
He encouraged all town citizens to come out to the Oct. 21 election and make their wishes known.
Current town councillor Tim Verhaeghe said he is running because he really enjoyed his last term and continues to stand for principles of openness, availability, integrity and good governance.
“I want to be able to continue with that,” he said.
Richard Verhaeghe said he is pursuing another term on council to continue the good work that has already begun and to expand and finish off some projects: namely, paving Wood Heights Road and facilitating industrial expansion.
Shelly Gurba, who recently moved to town from Island Lake, has been involved in municipal politics with the Summer Village of Island Lake South. She has lived in the area for 28 years. Gurba said she would like to see town council be more transparent, the multiplex run more efficiently, and business development encouraged.
“Not necessarily big box — just regular business,” said Gurba.
Joanne Peckham said she is running for town council because she loves politics and has been a proud member of the community for 20 years. She said it is time for a change and greater transparency for council.
“I have the time and the desire over the next four years to do this position justice,” Peckham said.
All candidates have until noon tomorrow to withdraw their nominations.
