Two candidates running for mayor of Diamond Valley

The race is on for the first-ever Diamond Valley election. 

Those interested in running for the council of the new municipality had until noon on Monday, Oct. 31 to submit their application. With nominations closed, campaigning can begin in earnest for the Nov. 28 election. 

Turner Valley Mayor Barry Crane is seeking the Diamond Valley mayor’s seat, and he will have company on the ballot after Randy Williamson also signed up to run for the job. 

Crane has been on council in Turner Valley since 2013. He became mayor by acclamation in 2019 and again in 2021. 

Randy Williamson ran for council in a byelection in 2019, coming in second behind Jamie Wilkie. 

Diamond Valley council will include a mayor and six councillors. Eleven candidates are seeking councillor seats. 

Candidates include newcomers and council veterans from both Black Diamond and Turner Valley. 

Dale Harrison, Mykayla Bergie, Shay Ford and Barry F. Williamson do not hold council seats in either Black Diamond or Turner Valley and are running in the election.  

Heather Thomson, Veronica Kloiber and Brendan Kelly currently sit on Black Diamond council and are seeking re-election. Kelly, currently mayor of Black Diamond, defeated incumbent Ruth Goodwin during the 2021 municipal election for the role. 

Hazel Martin, Cindy Holladay, Curtis Dixon and Jonathan Gordon are those who sit on Turner Valley council and would like to make the move to Diamond Valley council.  

Candidates had until noon on Nov. 1 to withdraw their candidacy. 

A candidate forum is scheduled for Nov. 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Oilfields High School in Black Diamond.

Advance voting will take place on Nov. 21. Election Day is Nov. 28. 

Polling stations will be set up in Turner Valley and Black Diamond and residents may vote at either location. 

Although the election is in November, the amalgamation of the two communities does not take effect until Jan.1. The incoming council will be sworn in at an organizational meeting within 60 days of the election.  

Between Jan.1 and the swearing-in of the new council, all elected officials from Turner Valley and Black Diamond will form the interim council of the Town of Diamond Valley.  

The most recent vote regarding amalgamation was held in February, with Black Diamond council voting 4-3 in support of amalgamation, while Turner Valley council gave unanimous support to the proposal.