Running for a municipal council ó or any level of public office for that matter ó requires no short supply of courage and dedication.
Sundre should be proud that enough candidates were willing to put themselves out there to provide options in the recent municipal election that saw a mayoral race as well as a competition for six seats at council's table.
Incumbent mayor Terry Leslie defeated his challenger and former council colleague Chris Vardas by only about 100 votes. Either man ó both of whom are committed to their community's future success ó would have served well as representatives and ambassadors of Sundre.
But there can of course be only one, and voters picked Leslie, who praised the efforts of all of the candidates who ran.
"I don't like when people come in by acclamation," the mayor said, adding the number of candidates who stepped forward encouraged him.
The mayor also said the two forums organized by the Sundre and District Chamber of Commerce were a really good idea that gave voters an opportunity to find out more about the candidates, who were all respectful throughout the entire process.
Elected to council were incumbents Cheri Funke and Paul Isaac. Joining the veterans are newcomers Todd Dalke, Charlene Preston, Richard Warnock and Rob Wolfe. Also worthy of recognition are the commendable campaigns run by council candidates Sean Davis and Pat Toone, who were unsuccessful by only a narrow margin.
Leslie said he is proud that everyone ó residents and candidates alike ó came together harmoniously without resorting to angry negativity and mudslinging along the campaign trail.
"It's just a testament to a strong community and strong candidates," he said.
To boot, voter engagement in the community seems to have set a new record. Typically, the average election turnout has rarely been much higher than about a third of eligible voters casting ballots. That figure drops to an abysmal 10 per cent or less for byelections. Not exactly symbolic of a healthy democracy fuelled by engaged citizens.
Yet between the advanced vote on Oct. 6 and election day on Oct. 16, almost half of Sundre's eligible voters ó shy of 700 from a potential pool of approximately 1,600 ó made sure to have their voices heard.
So, the bar has unquestionably been raised ó hopefully permanently.
Perhaps Sundre's election was even indicative of a new trend that is seeing voter apathy in the municipality setting itself on a reverse course.
Those who did not vote will have another chance in four years ó perhaps they will help raise the bar even higher at that time.
Ducatel is the Round Up's editor
