There is the old adage that nothing happens in this world by mistake, that there are no coincidences and the world will unfold exactly as it should.
And so it is with this year's municipal elections in both Innisfail and Penhold.
Innisfailians went to the polls on Oct. 21 without a controversial issue to fire them up. There was no race for mayor as Brian Spiller was acclaimed. There was just one all-candidates forum to judge nine candidates seeking six seats on town council. At that forum – mostly a sleepy affair -- the most pressing issues, the replacement of Autumn Glen Lodge and the shortage of industrial lands, were ones traditionally in the background but never in the forefront.
It was an election without fire and passion with the winners ultimately coming out on top by hard work and experience.
In the end, a closer look at the winners helps to make sense of what was on the minds of Innisfailians. Two of them, Mark Kemball and Heather Taylor, were popular incumbents. A third, Patt Churchill, is a former councillor. This trio ensures Spiller will lead with experience following him at the table.
Doug Bos, the current president of the Innisfail Chamber of Commerce, brings business savvy and proven marketing skills that will benefit the town's economic prospects for the future.
Gavin Bates and Danny Rieberger began the campaign as relative unknowns. But interestingly, and unknowingly to most folks, Bates and Rieberger did something that no other candidates did. They attended the last council meeting before the election on Oct. 15 to have a first-hand look at the inner workings of municipal politics. As Spiller correctly pointed out on election night, most voters in town would have no idea Bates and Rieberger cared enough to make that effort. But it worked anyways, and both were elected. Yes, the world unfolded exactly as it should have.
It was the same story in Penhold. Incumbent Dennis Cooper came out on top in the mayoralty race. The anticipated fireworks in the mayoralty race between Chad Hoffman, Cooper and Heather Klein never materialized. Penhold voters, sick and tired of the past three years of controversy – usually involving Hoffman, chose to stay the course, knowing Hoffman will no longer be a ready-made lightning rod for controversy and embarrassment.
As for the rest of the council, newcomer Mike Walsh, by far the most impressive candidate at the election forum, led all contenders in the vote count. Former mayor and councillor Julia King is back and Kathy Sitter, the lone incumbent, was re-elected. Like Innisfail, Penhold voters wisely chose a mix of experience and fresh faces with new ideas to lead the town over the next four years.
But both councils have to quickly get ready for hard work. Innisfail and Penhold have serious issues, including immediate budget work, that have to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Penhold council will face the immediate task of earning credibility with its citizens following three years of controversy and infighting. Innisfail must prepare to lead the battle in the region against a penny-pinching provincial government that has so far shown no interest in funding the replacement of the antiquated Autumn Glen Lodge.
The experience and talent is there in both communities. The debates, and past controversies, are over. The time for immediate action, without pausing to reflect past hurts and regrets, has begun.
