Small turnout at candidates' information session

Attention to detail could make the difference between running a smooth campaign this October and running afoul of election law in the coming vote for city council, potential candidates heard on Thursday night.

Eight people turned up for the city’s first of two information sessions for prospective council and mayoral candidates. Chris Belke, the city’s chief legislative officer and a former four-term councillor in the town of Devon, said it was the little things that could make or break a campaign.

“There’s little things where you can get caught up,” Belke said. “It can get a little technical.”

Those obligations include knowing what can be printed on election signs and where they can be placed, how all campaign finances must be accounted for and when nomination papers must be submitted.

“I’m not a lawyer. I’m familiar with the legislation but as a candidate it is your responsibility to be aware of your obligations,” said Belke, who will be the returning officer for the election. “It is not our responsibility to make sure you follow your obligations.”

Nomination day is Sept. 23 and Belke will be taking papers between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. Only papers submitted in that time will be accepted.

“If you get here at 12:01 p.m., I can’t accept your papers,” Belke said.

Anyone who wants to run must have five eligible electors sign their nomination papers. To be eligible to run, an individual must be at least 18 years of age, a Canadian citizen and must have lived in St. Albert for at least six months prior.

Finances will also be important. No candidate can spend more than $10,000 of their own money on a campaign and no individual can donate more than $5,000. Campaign contributions must be kept in a separate bank account and Belke strongly urged every person, if they run, to issue receipts for every single transaction.

“You need to keep track of everything – every expense, every contribution,” Belke said.

The only sitting member of council to attend was Coun. Malcolm Parker. While he said he hasn’t yet decided if he will run again or not, Parker did provide some advice on what the demands of sitting on council are like on a person’s time.

“It’s up to each individual councillor in terms of their style and commitment,” Parker said. “I believe it’s a full-time position and I think 35 hours a week is not unexpected.”

Other faces in the room, none of whom have decided if they will run or not, included Tim Osborne, the Alberta Party candidate from the last provincial election, Sheena Hughes, an opponent of the Aurora Place Habitat for Humanity build back in 2010 and Mike Killick, a recent fixture at city council meetings.

“I’ve lived here my entire life,” Hughes said when asked why she was thinking of running. “I moved here when I was five and I just really think I can contribute something back. I’m looking for better financial management of the city dollars. So I know I could do that.”

Killick, who recently retired from working with Telus, said there’s only so much change one can generate when not on council.

“There’s lots of criticism from the sidelines and you can’t really make change that way so if you can get more involved more directly, that’s great,” Killick said.

The city will hold a second information session on Sept. 18. The 2013 municipal election in Alberta takes place on Oct. 21, 2013.