Admittedly, it’s hard to get too excited about the filing of paperwork, but yesterday’s nomination day ought to be regarded as a day for celebration.
In all but three instances — one in Athabasca County, two on Aspen View school board — community members have stepped up to the challenge of running for municipal elected office, giving the rest of us something we often take for granted: a choice of who will represent us on our municipal councils for the next three years.
Much praise goes to the new candidates who feel they have new perspectives to offer, as well as former candidates who, after some time ‘out of the game’, are willing to offer their experience again.
But particular acknowledgement needs to go to all the incumbent candidates who are seeking re-election. In fact, only three current elected officials have opted not to run again, which is an unusually high rate or return.
Considering that the past three years have been particularly contentious, particularly for the Athabasca County and Village of Boyle councils, the fact that so many incumbent councillors have elected to ‘defend their titles’, so to speak, reflects well on their dedication to their elected positions.
Overall, it’s encouraging to see so many people genuinely interested in serving their communities by running for elected office.
Now, of course, the responsibility shifts to the voters. The commitment shown by the candidates must be returned by the rest of us learning more about the candidates, then turning out Oct. 18 to vote for our preferred representatives.
