Former police chief enters Lethbridge city council race
Former Police Chief John Middleton-Hope has become the 15th candidate to run for a seat on Lethbridge city council.
It was 19 years ago Thursday that Middleton-Hope was sworn in as Lethbridge police chief and 15 years ago on August 19 that he retired from policing.
“It’s perhaps a little bit serendipitous that I announce my intention to run for Lethbridge City Council today,” said Middleton-Hope.
As a former police chief and 19 year resident of Lethbridge, Middleton-Hope said he is very concerned about the direction the city is headed.
He said his campaign will focus on three priority areas: public safety, leadership and continuous economic development.
“Public safety clearly is a focus,” added Middleton-Hope, who launched his campaign at the Galt Museum among a group of people that included family, friends, and several former police officers and city officials.
Middleton-Hope said he expected other candidates to make community safety an issue as well.
Campaign signs for Middleton-Hope in Lethbridge, August 19, 2021
“Because it is," he said. "It’s a challenge in our community.”
In addition to his policing experience, Middleton-Hope has worked as a university instructor and consultant for the past 15 years, doing international work for the United Nations in Eastern Europe and former communist countries.
He said at the end of the day, he wants people to recognize that he is someone who can bring leadership skills and experience to city council, and work with other council members to try and solve problems the city is facing.
“My experience as a police chief is an asset, not a disadvantage,” he added.
Other candidates for the eight city council positions are Kelti Baird, Marissa Black, Ben Christensen, Bill Ginther, Dale Leier, Darcy Logan, Bernard Mbonihankuye, Nick Paladino, Jenn Prosser, Jenn Schmidt-Rempel, Suketu Shah, Bradley Whalen, Davey Wiggers, and Ryan Wolfe.
Six people are running for mayor.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.