A fraction of Sundre's total eligible voters cast a ballot in the 2016 byelection.
Running to fill the vacancy left by former Coun. Jodi Orr were Nolan Blatchford and Tamara Smith.
Blatchford received a total of 104 votes to Smith's 53, although those numbers remain unofficial until he is sworn in during council's Monday, June 27 meeting. That represents a little more than 150 of Sundre's roughly 2,000 voters — or less than eight per cent, town officials said.
“It would be good to increase that turnout for all the elections,” said Blatchford, adding voter turnouts at the federal and provincial levels also tend to be rather low.
Both he and Smith were at the town council chambers last Tuesday, June 21 when officials counted up the votes. The candidates shook hands and congratulated one another for running a campaign.
“At least we had an election anyway,” he said. “It wasn't by acclamation — that would have been disappointing.”
The newest member of council said he was excited to get started at his first council meeting last night, when he was to be sworn in.
“It's going to be good; I've got lots to learn.”
Attending a number of council meetings over the span of about a month in the lead-up to the byelection will have certainly helped a lot, he said, adding that anyone running for council should at least try to keep up to speed on council's situation.
“At least I'm not starting from zero, I have an idea what's going on.”
He plans to approach his new position ready to learn.
“I'm going to be in there with an open mind, listen to both sides and make the best decisions I can.”
With the next regular municipal election lined up for the fall of 2017, Blatchford said he at this time anticipates running again.
“I'd like to get this term under my belt, what's left of it, and make sure it's something that interests me. If everything goes well, I'll definitely run again.”
He went on to express recognition for Smith's campaign as well as his gratitude for those voters who did take the time to get involved in the process and have their voices heard.
Smith, who remained undeterred and in positive spirits, expressed a similar sentiment.
“It's too bad more people wouldn't come out and vote, because they have the choice. It's important for people to voice their opinions and not sit back and complain later,” she told the Round Up.
Running as a candidate for council “was a very positive experience” and Smith has no regrets.
“The feedback that I got from residents was very positive — lots of people were happy to see I put my name forward,” she said.
“And they were happy there was a race, that someone didn't just get in by acclamation.”
Although she was not elected, Smith said she did not feel as though she had lost, but rather gained invaluable experience that she plans to put to use in the 2017 municipal election.
“It's just like a hockey game — you win some, you lose some. But if you're persistent and confident, you'll complete what you're trying to accomplish,” she said.
“It was sort of like a trial run,” she said about the byelection. “I expect to run in the next election.”
In the meantime, she plans to focus her attention on her business, and also booked a trip to the West Coast to see her grandchildren for a few days in July. Smith also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to get to know many new faces in the community, which she said will in turn lead to a number of long-term relationships.
“I am exceptionally blessed with all the people I did meet during this time and I am sure we will continue to be friends. Moving on with love and no regrets,” she posted on her social media page following the byelection.
