Sturgeon County’‘s election ballot this fall will be awash with incumbents this year, with most councillors indicating they plan to seek re-election.
Five of the six councillors told the Gazette this week they will be in the race this October, with only Coun. Jerry Kaup, who represents Division 4, remaining undecided.
Kaup said he hasn’t ruled out running in the fall, but is unsure.
“I haven’t made up my mind just yet.”
Kaup is the longest serving member on council, elected for the first time in 1992.
Coun. Tom Flynn, who won his Division 2 seat last year in a byelection, said he is eager to return to voters in the fall.
Flynn said his first year on council came with a steep learning curve but is looking forward to sitting at the table with a little more experience.
“I had lots of energy and enthusiasm, but I didn’t know as much as I do now.”
Flynn said he wants to continue to be part of the process, as development continues in the Sturgeon Valley and Sturgeon sets an alignment for a new arterial road through the area.
Coun. Joe Milligan will also run for his second term in Division 5, saying he believes the county will be in a very good place over the next three years.
“I feel like we have definitely put the county headed in the right direction.”
Coun. Karen Shaw also plans to seek a second term and said she plans to keep a close eye on industrial development in the heartland to make sure Sturgeon protects its residents.
Shaw’s Division 6 encompasses the heartland area, home to several proposed bitumen upgrader projects.
Another top goal is for the county to ask the province to give the Redwater Natural Area provincial park status.
Coun. Ken McGillis said he also plans to be on the campaign trail in the fall, seeking his third term as councillor for Division 3.
McGillis said he wants to finish some of the things he started.
“There is a lot of ongoing things that I have been involved in that I would like to see to completion.”
McGillis said that includes the Villeneuve area structure plan and some other projects. He also ruled out a run for the mayor’s chair.
“That is something that I am not sure I would have the time and the talent to do justice to the job.”
Division 1 Coun. Don McGeachy, was first elected in 2007 when he and Shaw and Mayor Don Rigney promised a change in how the county operates. McGeachy said that work had been started, but it is not complete.
“We signed on to do a job and I don’t feel we have made that obligation yet,” he said. “I would like to get that job done before I would consider pursuing other avenues.”
With industrial development on the horizon, the county’s tax base will expand and there is an opportunity to do more for residents, he said.
“We are at the cusp of being able to do some really good to great things for the residents, if we stay on course.”
Rigney announced last fall that he intended to be on the ballot again this year.
The election is scheduled for Oct. 18.
