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Two in mayoral race and nine running for town council

Nine candidates have put their name in to run for Ponoka town council.

Nine candidates have put their name in to run for Ponoka town council.

The Town of Ponoka has not had a mayoral race in nine years but two have stepped up to the plate: Councillors Rick Bonnett and Doug Gill handed in their nomination forms Sept. 23 at Town Hall.

Bonnett and Gill shook hands and wished each other luck in the race ahead, the winner will sit at the head chair for four years. There was no lack of candidates for town council either with 10 putting in their bid. One did withdraw his nomination later in the day.

Nominations could only be made from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and most were handed in before 11 a.m. Gill was the first to hand his paperwork in and Lonny Behm was second. He works at Centennial Centre and says he want to help Ponoka become a family friendly community.

Dave McPherson handed his nomination papers next stating, “I want to revitalize the downtown core.”

Marc Yaworski, owner of the Leland Hotel, is running to improve the Town of Ponoka. Next up was Tim Falkiner who works with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees in Camrose. He wants to see growth in Ponoka.

Carla Prediger was not in Ponoka at the time but had someone hand in her paperwork. The Local Authorities Election Act states if a person is unavailable someone can hand forms in on their behalf if they have been signed by a commissioner of oaths.

Sandra Lyon, a realtor with First Choice Realty, wants to “help improve Ponoka.” She was next to hand in her papers. After Lyon was Craig Saunders, who wants to see the community move in a “different direction.”

Incumbent Loanna Gulka was next and still has goals she wants to accomplish.

James Nakoneshny filed but later withdrew his nomination. He believes there is a strong selection of candidates for town council. Teri Underhill wants to see Ponoka grow. “I think our town needs some life back in it.”

Although Coun. John Jacobs considered running, he did not hand in his form as he believes there is a strong selection of candidates for this election.

Terms for municipal government are now four years.

Election dates and locations:

Advance Vote:

• Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Town Hall and Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

Institutional Vote:

• Oct. 17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Ponoka Auxiliary Hospital

• 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Golden Leisure Lodge

• 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Sunrise Village

• 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Northcott Care Centre

Election Day

• Oct. 21from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kinsmen Community Centre