The devastating flooding in June is still on everyone’s mind in High River, and it will no doubt shape the campaign in October.
The issue has already affected the candidate pool, with Mayor Emile Blokland deciding to give up his seat.
He’s running for a councilor seat instead.
Blokland isn’t saying anything about the change, but he did take a lot of heat when the town was evacuated and residents weren’t allowed back in to check on their homes.
Two people are in the running to replace him – Jamie Kinghorn and Craig Lyle Snodgrass.
Kinghorn has lived in High River for 17 years and previously sat on council before joining the race.
Snodgrass is the owner of Lyle Reeves Funerals, a business he’s been with for two years after working at his family’s business for 11 years.
Both candidates say that rebuilding is high on the priority list for the future council and that finding ways to prevent future flooding is high at the top of their agendas.
(With files from Chris Epp)
