Candidate list growing for October’s municipal election

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“It’s time for change, Red Deer. Our crime is out of control. Our homeless need help. I want to help Red Deer become a better place to live. With your help we can accomplish these goals,” he says on his “Brad Magee for Change” Facebook page.

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Tara Veer, who is in the third year of serving her second term as mayor, has yet to announce whether she plans to seek another mandate.

Four people, all of them newcomers, have submitted their candidacy for city council.

Graham Barclay is a local business consultant who has served on various boards in the community including the Canadian Mental Health Association, Bridges Community Living and the Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce.

Sheyi Olubowale, an Afro-Canadian, is a physiotherapist, health services management consultant, and business owner who’s lived in Red Deer for 12 years. He and his wife have three young children.

Janise Somer is a marketing and communications manager who for the last three years has served as program and communications coordinator with the Central Alberta Crime Prevention Centre. She also volunteers with SPARC Red Deer, Livingstones Church and the Red Deer Dream Centre.

Somer said she, “decided to take her passion for community building and safety to the next level,” by running for council.

Matt Chapin, who has run for municipal office in the past, has submitted his candidacy for both city council and public schools trustee.

Current city councillor Vesna Higham told rdnewsNOW last month she plans to run again this fall. She has yet to submit her candidacy paperwork, according to the city’s election website.

Other current city councillors said they plan to make their decision later this year.

Under changes to the province’s Local Election Act, nominations for the fall election opened January 1 and will be accepted until September 20.

There are currently no scheduled election forums. For more information on those and other aspects of the upcoming election, visit elections.reddeer.ca.

Voters head to the polls on October 18.

RELATED: Most of city council not yet ready to declare election intentions