Voters in Stettler will have a choice for mayor this fall for the first time in 15 years.
Coun. Gord Lawlor and newcomer Dean Lovell have entered the race for the mayor’s chair in the Oct. 20 municipal election, ending a string of acclamations that has kept the post off the ballot since 2010.
That year, then-mayor Dick Richards narrowly defeated challenger Will Brown. Richards had first been acclaimed in 2009 following the resignation of longtime mayor Jim Hunter, who left to accept an appointment as a provincial court judge.
Hunter, elected mayor in 2004, now serves as chief justice of the Alberta Court of Justice. Richards was acclaimed again in 2013 before stepping aside in 2017.
Richards was succeeded by Sean Nolls, who was acclaimed in both 2017 & 2021. Nolls, who was first elected a councilor in 2013, is not seeking re-election after two terms as mayor.
Nine Individuals File For Six Town of Stettler Council Seats
Alongside the mayoral race, nine candidates have filed papers for six town council seats, including four newcomers.
With Nolls not seeking re-election & Lawlor running for mayor, the other five incumbents are all running again.
- Wayne Gardiner Smith – Incumbent
- Cheryl Ann Barros – Incumbent
- Keith Friendship
- Scott Pfeiffer – Incumbent
- Kurt Baker – Incumbent
- Sharon Fischer
- Travis Randell – Incumbent
- Dusty Myshrall
- Jonathan Nichols
A candidate forum will be held on October 9 at the HUB at 7:00 P.M., hosted by the Stettler Regional Board of Trade & Stettler Public Library.
Advance voting will take place Oct. 14 to 17, from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the Town of Stettler office.
Election day is October 20, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the Stettler Community Hall.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
