Candidates for the upcoming Kneehill County municipal election have announced their intention to run for a seat on council in October, including four incumbent and five new candidates.
Of the four incumbent candidates are current Reeve and Deputy Reeve for the county, Division 3 and Division 1 candidates Jerry Wittstock and Faye McGhee respectively, along with Division 6 Councillor Wade Christie, and Division 7 Councillor Kenneth King.
Along with the incumbent parties, five new candidates have also been announced-Christopher Morton for Division 2, Carrie Fobes and Rick McInnis for Division 4, and Laura Lee Machell-Cunningham and Robert Park for Division 5.
Division 2 candidate Christopher Morton says his decision to run for council began out of frustration regarding the county’s operations and “a personal quest to learn more” which grew into a passion over the last year.
“Our councillors and administration are our neighbours and members of our community. I have attempted to be measured in my criticism because, ultimately, I hope to work with both the councillors and administration,” Morton tells the Mail.
Morton adds he wants to establish better relations with the municipalities which are part of Kneehill County, and advocate for volunteer organizations-Morton currently serves as a volunteer firefighter with Linden Fire and Rescue and previously with Acme Fire.
Laura Lee Machell-Cunningham is running in the municipal election for the first time and is vying for the Division 5 seat alongside fellow candidate Robert Park.
Though this will be her first time putting her name on the ballot, Machell-Cunningham has previously worked for the Town of Three Hills and has served on numerous committees over the years. She currently serves as Three Hills Chamber of Commerce Director and is a longtime resident of Kneehill County, having only left the area temporarily to complete her training in social work.
“I’m a passionate advocate for people and it’s a mission of mine to help people have their voices heard, issues resolved, and for ratepayers to know their opinions matter,” Machell-Cunningham tells the Mail.
Nominations close on Monday, September 20 at 12 p.m.