Residents of Barrhead will head to the polls on July 6 in a by-election to vote for a new Town councillor.
The position was left vacant following the retirement of Linda West, who served on the council for more than six years. The by-election will be held in the multipurpose room at the Barrhead Agrena.
The Town has also taken into account residents who aren’t able to travel to the Agrena to cast their ballot. As such, they have set up institutional votes, and the Returning Officer in co-operation with the various institutions will determine the times of the voting.
Furthermore, an advanced voting date has been scheduled for June 29 between the hours of 4-8 p.m. in the Town council chambers. Acting municipal manager Kathy Vickery said this date was chosen because there are plenty of residents who take vacation in July, and the advanced vote will take place before school is out for the summer.
Mayor Brian Schulz said nominations for the seat would open up June 8, four weeks prior to the election.
“From what I hear, we are going to have very good candidates stepping up,” Schulz said.
He said he isn’t able to say for sure who all of the candidates will be for the election, but he has heard of possible candidates and residents will be pleased with their choices if the quality of candidates continues at that level.
To his recollection, Schulz said a by-election has never before happened in Barrhead. Councillors have left the municipality before, but it was always within 18 months of the next Town election, which meant the vacancy did not have to be filled.
“I hope there are many candidates; it would make for a very interesting election.”
