SYLVAN LAKE — The three-way race for mayor attracted plenty of attention from voters at an election forum in Sylvan Lake Tuesday night.
More than 200 people attended the forum to hear from 15 candidates altogether, including three running for mayor and 12 seeking the six spots available on council.
Incumbent Mayor Susan Samson faces a challenge from former mayors Bryan Lambertson and Ted Iverson, who have both said they have concerns about some of the policy and spending decisions council made during the last term.
Samson is basing her appeal to voters on her qualities as a leader and team player while Lambertson is stressing his talents in financial management and fiscal restraint.
Iverson, who has served six terms in the past — including three terms as mayor — said his recent experience as a commercial realtor has made him a better listener, promising that his first step as mayor would be to set up public workshops to set the town’s course for the future.
Regardless of who the voters choose on election day, the people of Sylvan Lake will emerge as the real winners, said Lambertson, who served two terms as mayor before stepping aside in 2007.
Voters sought answers on key issues, including where they would place spending priorities as the town’s rate of growth slows and past prosperity declines due to a weakened economy.
Areas of concern included construction projects underway along Lakeshore Drive, plans to build a new town office and a perception that the current council has conducted too much of its business behind closed doors.
Candidates were also asked how they would encourage stronger participation from voters in this election.
In his closing remarks, council candidate Sean McIntyre expressed gratitude that so many people had showed up for the forum, indicating that it showed a marked difference from the 2007 election, when only 21 per cent of the town’s voters showed up at the polls.
Candidates for council include retired firefighter Laverne Asselstine, journeyman crane operator Murray Bremner, school teacher Patrick De Jonge, retired municipal administrator Rick Grimson, incumbent Ken MacVicar, business operator Sean McIntyre, hockey school operator Graham Parsons, incumbent Frank Peck, realtor Dale Plante, retired human resources administrator Wendy Savageau, incumbent Lynda Sills Fiedler and former newspaper editor Melinda Wiebe.
Sylvan Lake will host advance polls at the town office on Saturday. Special polls will be available for those who are unable to attend the advance or regular voting stations.
Regular polls will be at the Sylvan Lake Community Centre. Visit www.election.sylvanlake.ca.