Albertans considering running for Council are being offered help from the province. From the end of August to early September the province is hosting five information sessions for potential candidates in the upcoming municipal elections. The biggest change for candidates is Council terms have been increased to four years.

    Albertans will be heading to the polls this fall to vote on who will be the next municipal leaders.
    To help potential candidates prepare for the election, Municipal Affairs has scheduled five workshops across the province. For those in the Drumheller area, the closest workshops will be held in Calgary on August 29 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Best Western Port O’ Call and Lethbridge on September 4 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the lower level of The Keg restaurant.
    Those thinking of attending a session are asked to register through Alberta Leaders.
    The biggest change affecting candidates during the upcoming election is a change from three year terms to four years.
    To be eligible to run, potential candidates must be 18 years of age on nomination day (September 23), be a Canadian citizen, and have resided in the municipality for six consecutive months prior to nomination day.
    An elected municipal official has a number of duties, outlined by the Municipal Government Act, including considering the welfare and interest of the municipality as a whole, bringing matters of interest to the municipality before Council, participate in developing and evaluating policies and programs, participate in Council and other meetings, obtain information about the operations or administration of the municipality, keep in confidence matters discussed in private at a Council meeting, and to perform any other duties imposed on Councillors by the province or Council.
    The time commitment is considerable. Councillors must attend regular meetings, workshops, committee meetings, conferences, conventions, and other social events promoting the municipality. In addition ,Councillors must take time to read material, for example new bylaws, and speak with residents.
    Nominations must be filed with the respective Returning Officer at the municipal office on September 23 between 10 a.m. and noon.
    For more information on how to become an elected official, visit www.albertaleaders.ca.

It will be nonstop action at the DORVA tracks, next to the Stampede Barn, this weekend as motocross riders from all over Alberta participate in the Alberta Championship Series on Sunday and Monday. Quite a few Drumheller riders will be racing as well, including Tori and Spencer James, Decklin and Barett Christensen, and Ben and Dustin Fooks, who are some of the top riders in Western Canada.

    An exciting weekend is getting ready to roar at the Drumheller Offroad Vehicle Association (DORVA) track next to the Stampede Barn.
    On Sunday, August 4, and Monday, August 5, motocross riders from all over Alberta will come to Drumheller to race in rounds six and seven of the Alberta Motorsports Association Alberta Championship Series.
    The races will be a chance for Drumheller’s riders to shine.
    “A lot of the riders, like Tori and Spencer James, Barett and Decklin Christensen, and Ben and Dustin Fooks are top riders in Western Canada,” said Sherry Christensen, with DORVA. “On Sunday, we all rode together and they are so excited to race on their home track.”
    On Saturday, the club will be holding a practice day at the track, followed by the Mud Bog and tug-of-war.
    “We thought it’d be a way to get some laughs back in motocross. We had it last year and it was a blast. Everyone has so much fun, so we decided to do the tug-of-rope again,” said Christensen.
    The following day, the official races begin. On the smaller track, the 50cc and mini ATV races will be held. On the larger track, everything else will ride. The races are part of the official Alberta Motorsports Association standings.
    “It’s all based on points. At the end of the season, all the points are tallied and then used to determine the provincial champion,” said Christensen.
    It is expected the races will draw quite a few people to the Valley over the three days.
    “Last year we had 600 people walk through the gates, which is great for Drumheller. Around three-quarters of the people who come stay overnight,” said Christensen.
    Not only will the races help Drumheller, they will also help send the Drumheller Titans to Hawaii. Members of the Titans will be volunteering over the three days and, in return, DORVA will donate to help send the team to Hawaii.
    The races are part of DORVA’s rapid growth over the past few years. Last year, new starting gates were installed. This year, a new irrigation dugout and system were constructed, and a new side-by-side track was built for larger vehicles.
    The practice and Mud Bog will be held on Saturday, with races on Sunday and Monday at the DORVA tracks.