After more than 20 years on the job, Jasper鈥檚 returning officer is calling it quits.
Cahill has worked behind the scenes to pull together every election Jasper has seen since its 2001 incorporation as a specialized municipality, and even before that, she facilitated elections for the school board.
She鈥檚 been responsible for everything from ordering ballot boxes, to running advanced polls, counting ballots and posting results.
It鈥檚 a lot of work, and it doesn鈥檛 stop once the election is over.
A week after this month鈥檚 municipal election, Cahill was still busy making sure things run smoothly. While sitting in her office Oct. 28, she wore a pink blouse and thin glasses. She had a tiny, but warm smile, and as she spoke, she gave away her British heritage.
She said loves her work and will be sad to pass on the duties, but now feels like the right time.
鈥淔our years from now I鈥檒l be 72,鈥� she said, referring to the date of the next election, 鈥渄o I want that kind of pressure?鈥�
She said she will likely have retired by then, so it just makes sense to stop acting as returning officer now. Of course, until she retires, she will keep her job as Administrative Officer for the Municipality of Jasper.
She said part of what she likes most about being returning officer is the thrill of working behind the scenes.
鈥淲hen we鈥檙e coming up to an election we鈥檙e excited because we鈥檙e a part of the process,鈥� she said of her team.
Behind Cahill, on her office wall, hangs a picture of a vase of peacock feathers and next to it is an actual vase similar to the painting.
鈥淚 just like them,鈥� Cahill said, glancing at the feathers.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e supposed to be unlucky,鈥� she said with a chuckle, 鈥渂ut I鈥檝e done alright by them.鈥�
She explained that over her career she has never had a major disaster. Once a ballot printed with a name misspelled, but that鈥檚 the worst she鈥檚 faced in all of her years as Jasper鈥檚 election keeper.
Beyond the administrative work, Cahill also teaches new councillors the ropes. She said she鈥檚 seen many come through, and it always feels a bit like guiding children.
鈥淢y chicks, I call them,鈥� she said with a delighted laugh.
Mayor Richard Ireland, the only mayor Jasper has ever known, publically thanked Cahill during the new council鈥檚 swearing in on Tuesday. He said Cahill sets a high standard for council.
鈥淚 know from time to time we disappoint,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut regarless, Beryl challenges us to achieve a standard that, left to our own devices, we would never acheive.
鈥淪he does a wonderful job for all of us.鈥�
Trevor Nichols
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