Bi-election to be a contested affair


Council candidate Kevin Wedick files nomination papers with returning officer Jennifer Maskoske Thursday morning. Six candidates filed papers by the noon deadline. – Stephen Dafoe Photo

By Stephen Dafoe

Morinville – There could be a six-way race to fill the seat left vacant by former Morinville Councillor Ben Van de Walle who stepped down July 16 after being diagnosed with leukemia.

Nominations for Morinville’s Council bi-election closed at noon Thursday after a two-hour period where residents could file the requisite nomination papers with five elector signatures and a $100 deposit.

Nominated candidates have until noon Friday to withdraw their nomination papers, at which time the returning officer Jennifer Maskoske will submit the list of candidates to the province.

Those who filed nomination papers by noon Thursday for Van de Walle’s seat were Morinville businessman and former Morinville Chamber of Commerce President Sheldon Fingler, local business owner and susbstitute teacher Jackie Luker, retiree and former soldier Jim O’Brien, local small business owner and former library employee Bonnie Moerike, former Morinville Town Councillor and mayoral candidate Joseph Trapani, and former police officer and photo radar opponent Kevin Wedick.

The bi-election is set to take place Sept. 20 at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. No advance poll will be held.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email