Morrin is gearing up for its municipal election and has six in the running for three seats.
    Incumbents Suzanne Lacher, Lloyd Hodge and Maynard MacArthur have all put their named back in the hat.  
    “I think there needs to be some continuation on what is going on as far as council is concerned,” said MacArthur. “We have lots of things planned and if we are back in council we can see some of it go through.”
    Some of the things he is looking at is having more residential lots ready for sale and they are continuing on their recycling programs. Beatification is also something he says is important.
    Janis Siemens has put her name in for the 2013 election. She has family roots in the community and in community politics. She said she has some aspirations for the village she has been thinking about for years.
    “I decided maybe it was time I stepped in too,” she said.
    She said she would like more public involvement in decisions before they are set.
    “We are a small village and I am sure this could be achieved,” she said.  “Taxpayers should be better informed on changes that affect them.”
    Compared to Siemens, David Macleod is a relative newcomer, but he is also concerned with the direction of the village.
    He has been in the community for about seven years. In that time, he has seen a time of relative prosperity, but also a slowdown. He would like to see the community revitalized.
    “I think I have something I can give back to the community of Morrin,” said Macleod. I really fell in love with the place.”
    He said the community was very welcoming, and he would like to see the community grow.
    Howard Helton has been in the community since 1988.   He has some issues he would like to see addressed.
    “All of the incumbents are running for office, and the fact that I have chosen to run for council obviously shows I feel some issues I have are not being addressed to my satisfaction by the current council.”
    Some of his concerns include aging infrastructure, particularly in the northeast sector of the village where he would like to see some upgrades. He would also like to see some vacant properties ready to develop, and a plan for beautification.
    Suzanne Lacher and Lloyd Hodge were not available to comment as of press time.
Election day is October 21.

    The rules have changed for municipal elections in Alberta.
    On election day, Monday, October 21, voters will now be required to show valid identification or proof of residency to vote.

Voters are now required to bring one piece of valid identification or a document containing both a name and address in order to vote. The new requirement could slow voting down, so residents are being asked to ensure their identification is ready and visible when waiting in line on election day.

    “People need either their operator’s or driver’s licence, a government issued identification card, or, if they don’t have those, people can bring in something like their water bill or something that has their name and address on it,” said Byron Nagazina, returning officer for the Town of Drumheller. “Basically people just need something with their name and address on it.”
    In essence, a driver’s license or photo identification card for non-drivers will be sufficient to vote. If those are lacking bank or credit card statements, correspondence issued by school, government cheque or cheque stub, income or property tax assessment, insurance policy card, letter from a public curator, guardian, or trustee, attestation of residence from a shelter or soup kitchen, pension plan, prescription bottle insert, residential lease or mortgage statement, statement of government benefits, utility bill, or vehicle ownership or insurance certificate can also be used to prove residency.
    Voters need only bring one piece of identification.
    The new requirements were passed in the Fall 2012 sitting of the Alberta Legislature.
    In addition, to vote, resident’s must be a Canadian citizen and be over 18.
    Officials are asking voters to have their identification handy when in line to vote.
    “It’ll slow the process down a little, but if people have the paperwork ready to go, it won’t take long,” said Nagazina.
    On October 21, voting stations will be set up at Midland Community Hall, Nacmine Community Hall, Newcastle Community Hall, Badlands Community Facility, Church of the Nazarene, Rosedale Community Hall, and East Coulee Community Hall.
    An advanced polling station will be at the Badlands Community Facility on Friday, October 18.
    This election, Drumheller voters will have ten candidates to choose from to fill the town’s six council seats. Voters will be asked to list their six preferred candidates. However, not all six spaces have to be filled, for example voters can only list four candidates if they wish.
    For more information on voting requirements, visit www.dinosaurvalley.com