Warfield voters will soon be back at the polls after four people threw their hats into the byelection ring.
The nomination period closed Friday for General Voting Day, set for April 9 in council chambers, as well as two advanced opportunities slated for March 30 and April 6 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. in the village office.
Two new faces join two former politicians in a bid for the councillor seat that has been vacant since Coun. Tom Milne resigned in January.
Nicole Caputo and Brad Jansen are first time candidates, former councillors John Crozier and Arlene Parkinson are ready for another go after being absent from the table for one year and 17 years respectively.
“Now is a great time for our new councillor to join in,” says Warfield Mayor Ted Pahl, adding that 2015 was a success as council accomplished some key priorities set for its inaugural year.
“But there is still so much to be done,” Pahl told the Trail Times early Monday. “We look forward to working with the new member of council and I encourage everyone to get out and vote for the candidate you feel will best represent you,” he added.
“For me personally, I am pleased to see such interest and it speaks volumes that people are genuinely interested in what’s happening in our village and they want to be involved.”
With three years left in the four-year civic role, Warfield is the second local municipality required to fill an empty councillor seat to finish out the term.
Montrose held its General Voting Day two months ago, following a councillor’s withdrawal in the fall.
In both cases, byelection costs near $4,000.
“There is a buzz in the Village of Warfield,” Pahl said. “(And) I’ve already see some activity on Facebook with people talking about the election in Warfield.”