The Town of Blackfalds is preparing for a by-election now that one of its newly elected town councillors is no longer taking her seat at the council table.
Councillor-elect Amanda Valin was absent from council’s swearing-in ceremony on Oct. 26, and an Oct 28 Facebook post by the town said Valin provided formal notice that she “will not be assuming her seat on council.”
“We respect Amanda’s decision and administration is looking into this matter. We are also consulting with Municipal Affairs to prepare for a by-election.”
The town said it would provide an update as soon as it can.
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Mayor Jamie Hoover and councillors Marina Appel, Brenda Dennis, Jim Sands, Rebecca Stendie, and Laura Svab were all sworn in for the 2021-25 term.
Six council candidates were elected. Official results of the Oct. 18 municipal election showed incumbent Laura Svab was elected with 1,017 votes; incumbent Rebecca Stendie was elected with 809 votes; Brenda Dennis was elected with 792; Jim Sands was elected with 690; Amanda Valin was elected with 684; and incumbent Marina Appel was elected with 673.
Candidate Will Taylor received 660 votes which was not enough to be elected, but he had the most votes among the three candidates who were not elected.
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Blackfalds hits new population high
Election results show 1,459, or 21 per cent of the town’s 7,000 eligible voters, cast ballots in the election.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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