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
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.