PENHOLD – Town council passed a bylaw on July 10 to prepare for the fall municipal election.
Penholders will once again be allowed to use electronic voting machines, a practice used successfully in the past three elections.
Advance polls for voting prior to election day on Monday, Oct. 16 will be available on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Penhold & District Library from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Signage placement in town for candidates will be permitted beginning Sept. 1 until 48 hours after the Oct. 16 election. However, signage will not be permitted in any town parks, schools or municipal buildings.
The bylaw states candidates must have a minimum of five signatures and a $100 deposit. Nomination day is Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in town council chambers.
Information packages for citizens considering running for office -- what is required and other essential information -- is posted on the town's website (www.townofpenhold.ca). Documents can be located in the Election 2017 folder, which will be updated regularly. Potential candidates are encouraged to make repeat checks on the website.
Town considering chamber change
Penhold could make a switch in membership to an outside chamber of commerce.
Council was told at the July 10 meeting there has been a request to join the Innisfail Chamber of Commerce. The town is currently a member of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce.
Council asked administration to do an evaluation of the possible advantages of belonging to the Innisfail chamber.
Penhold joins forces for trail linkages
The town is partnering with Blackfalds and Sylvan Lake to get future financial support for the development of non-motorized trail linkages between communities promoting healthy lifestyles.
Council was told on July 10 the town has joined Blackfalds and Sylvan Lake in putting forward a resolution, sponsored by the Central Alberta Regional Trail System, which will be forwarded to the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA).
It is hoped AUMA will advocate on the three communities' behalf to the provincial and federal governments for funding assistance to develop the trail linkages. The proposal will be discussed at the AUMA fall convention in November.
