Pembina Hills byelection planned

Election to fill vacant Westlock seat slated for March 26

A byelection to fill the vacant Westlock seat at the Pembina Hills board table, held by the late Doug Fleming, is slated for March 26.

At their regular meeting last Wednesday in Barrhead, trustees voted unanimously to plan for an election even though the law does not require one.

They all agreed that Westlock deserves a trustee to represent it, a job Fleming had done effectively for several years.

“I would like to see us fill this position as soon as possible,” said trustee Dale Schaffrick. “I feel something is missing around the table.”

Trustees also agreed on an advance poll, although the details have not been worked out.

Nomination of candidates has been set for Monday, Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Pembina Hills office in Barrhead.

The moves follow the sudden Jan. 16 death of Fleming, who was first elected as a trustee in 2007. In October 2010, he was re-elected and ultimately appointed board chairman.

The loss of Fleming has reduced the number of trustees on the board to six and last week there were only five at the meeting, with Sheri Watson absent. Vice-chair Sharon Volorney has also taken on the role of acting chair.

Division secretary-treasurer Tracy Meunier told trustees that Section 251 of the Alberta School Act made it clear they did not have to hold a byelection.

Meunier said the board could continue with six members until the next election slated for October 2013, with the vice-chair carrying on as acting chair. Alternatively, a new chair could be elected.

Several trustees said they could see arguments for and against a byelection.

“Either way is good for me,” said trustee Annette Bokenfohr.

She put forward a four-point case against an election: a new trustee would face a very steep learning curve, it may be unfair to expect someone without experience to represent Westlock, most board votes were carried unanimously, so a six-member group was not a concern and lastly, polls cost money.

Trustee Sherry Allen also saw both sides of the argument. “I like the idea that money could be going elsewhere,” she said, but added that people in Westlock were entitled to have someone represent them.

If the seat remains empty it could give the impression that concerns in Westlock were not getting priority.

“The people of Westlock deserve their own voice,” she said.

Trustee Kim Webster said she does not believe a new trustee’s inexperience should be used as an argument against the democratic process.

The board also agreed to hold an advance poll, although Schaffrick voted against it. He said he liked the idea of an advance poll, but believed it fiscally responsible to have just one election.

After the meeting Meunier said details of the advance poll would be released after nomination day, assuming more than one candidate comes forward. “Once we know whether a byelection will take place, we can give notice of an advance poll,” she said.