By Stephen Dafoe

Morinville – With nominations for the upcoming bi-election closing Aug. 23, there is little time for would-be candidates to decide to run or to learn in detail what the job entails. The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association’s (AUMA) Women in Municipal Government Committee will be doing their part to educate by holding an information session at the Morinville Community Library Aug. 19 from 2 to 4 p.m.

“It’s just an opportunity for people who are thinking of running in the election to come,” said Morinville Town Councillor and AUMA committee member Lisa Holmes, adding the event is not limited to female candidates. “Anyone that is interested in coming can come. The chairperson of the committee, Jacqueline Biollo, who is a councillor from Beaumont, will be there as well as Councillor Krauskopf and myself to answer any question people have about the job.”

Holmes said in a bi-election there isn’t really an opportunity for people to learn about the position due to the lack of lead time. “There is a lot of run up and time given before a general election because you know it’s coming,” she explained. “In this situation because of deadline we really didn’t have the opportunity to educate people or give the chance to come by and ask questions they may have.”

The Morinville councillor said the AUMA committee is looking at running campaign schools prior to the next general election for municipalities. “This is an opportunity for us to find out what kind of questions people will have, what barriers or challenges they are going to be facing, and an opportunity for us to tell them what the position and responsibilities are,” Holmes said.
The event takes place Apr. 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Program Room of the Morinville Community Library.

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