Councillor resigns, running for mayor

The resignation of Turner Valley’s mayor last month prompted the same action from a councillor who aims to take his place.

Barry Crane submitted his resignation on Feb. 5 following former mayor Gary Rowntree’s resignation on Jan. 25.

“My intention was to run for mayor in the next election,” said Crane. “This bumped ahead the timeline. Running for mayor at this point I think is the right move.”

Rowntree, who was elected in 2017 with 72 per cent of the votes, said he resigned due to his inability to move council forward.

Turner Valley’s byelection is set for April 8, with an advanced poll on March 26, both at the council chambers. Anyone wanting to run for mayor must submit their nomination forms to the town office on Feb. 25 between 10 a.m. and noon.

Interested council members had until 4 p.m. on Feb. 6 to submit their resignations.

Crane said the time is right.

“With this council I feel ready,” he said. “During the (2017 municipal) election our platforms were all aligned. It was a fantastic collaboration from all the candidates at that time just 15 months ago. That was the team the people chose and I feel that I’m on board with the mission and vision that we set forward with our new administration.”

Among those are fiscal accountability, establishing efficiencies and forming partnerships with other municipalities, said Crane.

The Foothills Lions Club past president said he sees the role of mayor as chairing meetings and speaking to the council directive in a public forum.

“I feel that I represent Turner Valley citizens professionally when I’m on committees, when I attend public events and I stick to the code of conduct to the letter,” he said. “I think Gary Rowntree did a fantastic job and he was making great strides in open debate. I will try to honour that by doing the same.”

Crane said if elected, he would feel supported by a strong council.

“If you look at the professional backgrounds of all the councillors it’s magnificent,” he said. “It’s just a matter of continuing on the path that we’ve set on looking at the efficiencies and working with administration for the public good.”

Crane challenges others who feel passionate about making a difference in Turner Valley to step forward in the byelection.

“A race is a race and it’s for the public’s own good,” he said. “I’m a little bit nervous to throw myself out there. If I lose I’m still going to be committed to the town and work through my volunteerism.”

The Town will have candidate packages available this week, said Heather Thomson, returning officer and manager of legislative services.

Candidates can begin canvassing at noon on Feb. 25.

Thomson said staff are also working to get an election page set up on the Town website to provide information, including nomination forms.