Black Diamond residents will cast their votes to fill two vacant positions on council Aug. 22.
The byelection will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Black Diamond municipal building to fill the seats of the mayor and a councillor, who resigned in late May.
The vacancies became available when 12-year town councillor Michel Jackson submitted his resignation on May 26 due to health reasons.
Former mayor Sharlene Brown resigned the following day after being hired as the Town’s new chief administrative officer.
Brown replaced former chief administrative officer Joanne Irwin, who retired last month, and the Town’s deputy mayor Ruth Goodwin will fill in as mayor in the interim.
Verna Staples, the Town’s legislative services manager, said nomination forms are available on the Town of Black Diamond website and at the town office in the municipal building for residents interested in running for the mayor or council positions.
Nomination day is July 25, at which time Town staff will accept forms from those running only between 10 a.m. to noon.
Staples said those eligible to vote must reside in Black Diamond, be qualified to vote and not be in tax arrears.
The forms must be signed by a minimum of five electors who are eligible to vote in the election.
If more than one candidate runs for a particular seat, Staples said candidates have 24 hours in which to withdraw their nomination if they change their mind.
“It’s first come, first serve,” she said.
“The last one (remaining) is not allowed to withdraw.”
In the event no nominations are received for one or both positions, Staples said the Town will hold another nomination day during the same hours the following day for the next six business days until one or more nominations are received.
Staples said any existing councillors who want to run for the mayor’s position can do so, but are required to resign from their current position on council before submitting their nomination forms on July 25.
“As soon as a councillor resigns it’s effective immediately,” she said.
Staples added that this would, in turn, result in another byelection.
Regular updates or changes regarding the byelection will be posted on the Town of Black Diamond website at town.blackdiamond.ab.ca, said Staples.
This includes the date for the advanced poll, which has not yet been determined, she said.
Staples said once the candidates are declared following nomination day, information about each candidate and a photograph will be posted on the website.
