An ex-cop, a teacher, a former soldier, two business owners and a former town councillor threw their hats in the ring this week to run for Morinville town council.
Thursday was nomination day in Morinville for the upcoming by-election. Six people put their names forward to try and win the seat vacated by Ben Van De Walle, who resigned from council in July for health reasons.
Candidates had two hours in which to turn in their papers at the town office, said returning officer Jennifer Maskoske. Each had to put down $100 and present signatures from at least five voters.
The teacher
Jackie Luker, 44, was the first to turn in her papers on nomination day.
A substitute teacher and owner of Straight Up Bar and Beverage Services, Luker was making her second run for town office, having earned 683 votes in the 2010 election.
Luker, who has lived in Morinville for six years, said she saw this by-election as a good opportunity to get her feet wet in politics.
"I know that it's going to be a lot of work as they're going into budget," she said of being on council. "I felt this would be a really good opportunity for a one-year stint to give it a try and see if this is something I'd like to actually do."
Luker described herself as a skilled organizer and an active member of the community. "My husband and I plan to be here for probably the rest of our lives," she said, and they want to make Morinville better for their two kids.
She saw the town's sense of community as the top issue facing council. "We have to get that sense of community here. People need to want to stay in Morinville."
The home-town boy
Next was Sheldon Fingler. A lifelong Morinville resident, the 40-year-old owner of Infinity Event Services said he decided to run for office after much debate.
"I was born and raised in this town, and I love it," he said. "I think it's time for everyone to love it the same way."
Fingler said his time as a businessman and as the town's transportation foreman means he knows Morinville from the ground up. He had served with the town's chamber of commerce, beautification committee and the Morinville & District Agricultural Society, and had attended every meeting of the Capital Region Board (his company manages the sound system).
Fingler said one of his top priorities if elected would be to develop the town's sense of community. "Over the past few years, the St. Jean Baptiste Festival and Canada Day have grown into real big, awesome events, and I think that's what we need more of." He hoped to work with residents to find what they needed to create more such community events.
Fingler said he planned to do a lot of door-knocking during the campaign and might put up some signs. "I've been here a long time," he said. "I have a drive and a passion for our town, and I want to help see it continue to get better."
The old soldier
Close behind Fingler was James O'Brien, a retired soldier with the Canadian Forces.
O'Brien, 67, said he decided to run at the suggestion of a friend. "For the last couple of years I've been bitching and moaning and complaining about a whole bunch of things," he said. "I think I can do more good for the community inside [council] than out."
Openness, transparency and fiscal responsibility were the top topics in town in O'Brien's eyes.
Residents have been complaining to council about various issues (such as photo radar) and not getting adequate answers, he said. "People have the misconception that we're against photo radar," he said of that topic. "We weren't. All we wanted was some answers."
O'Brien said he would support an expansion of the town's photo radar program if elected. "People that are stupid enough to consistently run through the same area and speed deserve every fine they can get."
He also felt that the town was spending too much money. "I don't understand the mechanics of this town's budgeting process."
O'Brien said his life in the army and experience as an administrator would serve him well as a councillor.
The pet-sitter
Next came Bonnie Moerike, the 72-year-old owner of Koloa's Pet and House-Sitting in Morinville.
A former member of the town's library board, Moerike said she had an interest in goings-on in Morinville, especially when it came to youth and seniors.
"I'd like to see a little more green space for children in the subdivisions," she said, when asked what her priorities would be on council, as well as some more benches and garbage cans in town. "The elderly seem to be forgotten," she added. "I don't think there's enough for them to do."
She was also concerned about the Capital Region Board and how it could affect Morinville. "Morinville has a very small vote on that, and I'd like to see some changes."
The former councillor
Former one-term councillor and mayoral candidate Joseph Trapani stepped up to take another kick at the electoral can.
"My intention is still in running for mayor in the next election," he explained, and he hoped that a year on council would get him up to speed on the latest issues.
Trapani, 54, has previously served as a chief administrative officer and town manager in five communities and ran for mayor in the 2010 Morinville election. He lost to Lloyd Bertschi by 141 votes.
Council has been doing a good job since the last election, he said, but needed to regain the public's confidence after gaffes such as the renovations to St. Germain Place. "Somebody's home budget wouldn't go over budget at that rate."
It also needed to do more to attract tourists and businesses to town, he said. "We do get excellent entertainment that comes here, but the problem is when they're here, the world doesn't know," he said. "Morinville is an excellent place to live. It's just a matter of telling the world we exist."
The ex-cop
Former RCMP member and current fire and explosion investigator Kevin Wedick was the last person to turn in his papers.
An on-and-off resident of Morinville since 1981, Wedick has shown up several times in council chambers with concerns about photo radar and overspending. He has previously served as head of the Morinville Minor Hockey Association.
"It's something I've wanted to do for quite some time," he said of running for office, and several friends had asked him to do so. "I know I have a lot to learn."
Noise from the cultural centre and overspending on St. Germain Place were both hot topics around town, according to Wedick, as were the new solar-powered aerators installed in local lakes this summer. "Nobody was consulted about where they put the panels," he said, and the pumps often don't work due to the shade.
Wedick was also concerned about the town's photo-radar contract, especially how the contractor was paid under it. "There are areas I am personally concerned about," he said, "but they may be justified."
Wedick pitched himself as an accountable, approachable candidate for council. "I love the town of Morinville. That's why I've come back throughout my career three times."
Candidates now have about four weeks to campaign before the election on Sept. 20, Maskoske said. Ballots will be cast at the Community Cultural Centre from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will not be an advance poll.
Questions on the by-election should go to Maskoske at 780-939-4361.
