OLDS — Mitch Thomson is contemplating running for re-election as town councillor – possibly even mayor.
However, he says he won’t likely make a decision on whether he’ll do either of those things for a few months, because he just bought a new business and he wants to make sure it’s running successfully first.
Just over a year ago, Thomson won a byelection for a seat vacated by former councillor Wade Bearchell.
A municipal election is slated for Oct. 18 this year. All seven seats, including that of the mayor, are up for grabs. Incumbents and potential newcomers have until Sept. 17 and again on Sept. 20 to file nomination papers.
During an interview, Thomson was asked if he’ll run for re-election – or possibly run for mayor.
“You know, I haven’t decided, there,” said Thomson. “My term on council has had some challenges; there’s been some conflicts and I’m passionate about serving the residents.
“But I’m also in a different place than I was a year ago and yeah, there’s going to be some more family discussions before I can make a commitment that way.”
Thomson has had a tumultuous time on council.
In late October, his fellow councillors voted to sanction him for some comments he made on Facebook last spring.
Thomson alleged "political interference" in the operations of his employer, Olds Institute (OI), in a social media post on June 12 in reaction town council’s decision to redirect the second half of the town's 2020 funding for OI to its economic development secretariat and economic recovery taskforce.
Until the end of this year, Thomson was the executive director of OI.
According to a Town of Olds press release, Thomson refused to take down the post and publicly apologize for it when asked to do so by council a few weeks later.
Thomson said he plans to look “very seriously” at running for re-election or for mayor.
“I don’t think any position should ever be acclaimed in a democracy,” he said.
The town’s current mayor, Michael Muzychka, was acclaimed to the post during the 2017 municipal election when he filed the paperwork to run. Once he did so, former mayor Judy Dahl withdrew her candidacy.
“I’d like to see a good electoral process and so I’ll be contemplating both roles for this next term,” Thomson said.
“I feel good now, but I’m not in a place to make that four-year commitment yet,” he added.
“In a few months, after we’re a little more settled in our new business, I probably would be in a far better place to start making those type of predictions – or commitments.”
