Jasper could see a brand new roster on town council this fall. Three councillors have confirmed they will not be running in the Oct. 21 municipal election, while the mayor and remaining three councillors refused to give a solid answer either way. Here鈥檚 what they had to say when the 51暗网 contacted them this week:
Rico Damota:
鈥淢y intent is to do so. My heart is there. It is going to depend on my personal relationship and my full-time job requirements. I know that I do have their support loosely right now, but it comes down to going over the four-year commitment.鈥�
Mike Day:
鈥淚鈥檓 not running. It鈥檚 been 15 years. I鈥檓 on the Tourism Jasper board now and I鈥檓 going to do some more work with tourism. I鈥檓 just going to put my volunteer time elsewhere.鈥�
Brian Skehill:
鈥淎t this moment I鈥檓 not sure,鈥� said Skehill, who wants to wait and see how things transpire in the coming months before he makes a decision either way.
Richard Ireland:
鈥淚 have not yet made that decision,鈥� said Ireland, noting that it all banks on 鈥減ersonal matters.鈥�
Dwain Wacko:
鈥淚鈥檓 hanging on to see how my healing process develops,鈥� he said, referring to the hip he broke in a bike accident earlier this year. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just basically for health reasons that I have not yet decided.鈥�
Gilbert Wall:
鈥淣o. I don鈥檛 think I can afford the time or the four years. The four year change doesn鈥檛 seem like a lot, but it is,鈥� said Wall, referring to the province-wide change to four-year terms for municipal councillors.
Brenda Zinck:
鈥淚鈥檓 choosing not to run again. I鈥檝e done five terms, 15 years, and it鈥檚 time to move on,鈥� she said, referring to her four terms with the municipality and one term with the Jasper Town Committee. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to retire.鈥�
Nomination day for the municipal election is Sept. 23. Nomination packages are available at the municipal administration office, 303 Pyramid Lake Road, or by contacting Beryl Cahill at [email protected].
Nicole Veerman
[email protected]
