Meet your Councillors and School Board trustees… What’s next?
2017 Crowsnest Pass Municipal Council. From top left: Marlene Anctil, Dave Filipuzzi, Doreen Glavin, Gordon Lundy, Lisa Sygutek and Dean Ward.
A total of 1,452 people voted for their 2017-2021 Councillors, with 226 people voting in advance polls and 1,226 on Election Day to choose Marlene Anctil, Dave Filipuzzi, Doreen Glavin, Gordon Lundy, Lisa Sygutek and Dean Ward at their Councillors for the next four years. Based on the 2016 census, there are 4,540 eligible voters, which means a turnout of only 31.98%.
Councillor Dave Filipuzzi received the highest number of votes, at 1,143.
The swearing in will take place at 7 p.m. on October 24, right before the new Council’s first official meeting. Prior to the swearing in, Council has an organizational meeting at which members will be appointed to committees.
The previous Council is still in power until the beginning of the organizational meeting when the oath is taken and the new Council takes over.
Administration has organized several orientation meetings and training sessions for the new Council to become acquainted with or receive a refresher on some of the matters that will affect them as Councillors.
“We have a six-month orientation to do gentle learning and refreshment for people who have already serviced. It’s not all done in one week, it’s really spread out,” says Kristin Ivey, Manager of Corporate Services with the municipality.
There is a general orientation to the municipality meeting on October 23. Council will also attend an Elected Officials Meeting in Elkford on October 25, where the surrounding municipalities of Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford, Pincher MD, Pincher Town and Crowsnest Pass will engage in discussion on regional issues. In Lethbridge, Council has upcoming MUNIS 101 training on governance and legislation and on November 2, municipal consultant George Cuff will be leading a workshop in Claresholm.
In the last election, 475 people voted in advance polls and 2,211 voted on Election Day. There were 15 candidates running for Office of Councillor. Blair Painter was voted in as Mayor by acclamation.
Gregory Long and Clara Yagos were elected as school trustees for Ward 2 of the Livingstone Range School Division No. 68. Ward 2 encompasses Crowsnest Pass, Lundbreck and Cowley. Long received a total of 841 votes, while Yagos received 702.