The Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills Progressive Conservatives will choose their candidate for the next provincial election on Saturday, Nov. 26 at the Didsbury Multiplex.Three contenders have publicly declared to date ñ Darcy Davis, Al Kemmere and William Stevenson ñ but the actual window for filing nomination papers opens today (Nov. 1) and closes at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12.ìNov. 1 is officially when it starts,î nomination chairman Pat James told the Gazette, adding that anyone interested in running can obtain packages by calling him at 403-507-0687.ìThere's some forms and declarations to fill out and they need at least 25 signatures of support. There's also a criminal record check and a $500 non-refundable deposit. Everything else is pretty well standard,î James said.Candidates will be given PC Party memberships to sell, along with the membership list for the constituency, James said.While there is no official tally of current members, he added, about 800 people cast votes in the leadership race, ìso we know it's more than that.îCandidates will have the opportunity to address the membership on Saturday, Nov. 19 in Three Hills and the following Saturday at the nomination meeting in Didsbury, Presentations on both nights begin at 6:30 p.m.The nomination meeting runs from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and ìwill be a sort of rally ñ so bring your tambourine,î James said.ìI think we're very fortunate to have three candidates so far that are very credible, very worthy. It'll be good.îDavis is an Acme-area farmer and past chair of the Alberta Beef Producers, Kemmere is a former reeve of Mountain View County and current councillor for the Olds area, and Stevenson is a Carstairs accountant with a long history of involvement with the party.Incumbent MLA Richard Marz, who announced his retirement last year, will remain in office until the next provincial election.
