The front counter at the new Town Hall. Town Administration has set August 12 as the date for the new hall to be operational. Staff will begin moving smaller items over the next two weeks. On Friday, August 9, the old Town Hall will close, and staff will move everything over the weekend. It is expected the new hall will be up and running on the following Monday.

    At the meeting of Town Council on July 29, Administration set the date for the new Town Hall to come online.
    Everything is expected to be ready on August 12.
    “On the 12th (of August) we should be up and functioning. We’re going to close Town Hall on the preceding Friday,” said Allan Kendrick, Director of Infrastructure Services for the Town of Drumheller.
    Over the next two weeks, staff will gradually move smaller items, such as boxes and furniture, over to the new Town Hall in the Drumheller Civic Centre.
    “The intention is, as we have rainy days, to get staff to move as much over as possible over the next two weeks. There will still be a big push at the end with the computers and getting everything hooked up,” said CAO Ray Romanetz.
    On Friday, August 9, Town Hall will be closed, though the 403-823-6300 number will still be working, and staff will begin the process of moving everything left in the old Town Hall.
    “We will still have the emergency numbers functioning. There will be limited services through Town Hall that day,” said Kendrick.
    The new hall is largely finished, though crews are working to correct several minor deficiencies.

    Earlier this year, projections were that the moving process would begin in June. Minor delays and the flood pushed back the timetable.
    Council made the decision to move early in 2012 after $1.5 million in grant money from the province was secured. It was felt Town Hall should be in a central location and brought up to current building codes. It was felt renovating the old Town Hall would prove to be far more expensive. In total, the renovations and move will cost roughly $2 million.

Albertans considering running for Council are being offered help from the province. From the end of August to early September the province is hosting five information sessions for potential candidates in the upcoming municipal elections. The biggest change for candidates is Council terms have been increased to four years.

    Albertans will be heading to the polls this fall to vote on who will be the next municipal leaders.
    To help potential candidates prepare for the election, Municipal Affairs has scheduled five workshops across the province. For those in the Drumheller area, the closest workshops will be held in Calgary on August 29 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Best Western Port O’ Call and Lethbridge on September 4 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the lower level of The Keg restaurant.
    Those thinking of attending a session are asked to register through Alberta Leaders.
    The biggest change affecting candidates during the upcoming election is a change from three year terms to four years.
    To be eligible to run, potential candidates must be 18 years of age on nomination day (September 23), be a Canadian citizen, and have resided in the municipality for six consecutive months prior to nomination day.
    An elected municipal official has a number of duties, outlined by the Municipal Government Act, including considering the welfare and interest of the municipality as a whole, bringing matters of interest to the municipality before Council, participate in developing and evaluating policies and programs, participate in Council and other meetings, obtain information about the operations or administration of the municipality, keep in confidence matters discussed in private at a Council meeting, and to perform any other duties imposed on Councillors by the province or Council.
    The time commitment is considerable. Councillors must attend regular meetings, workshops, committee meetings, conferences, conventions, and other social events promoting the municipality. In addition ,Councillors must take time to read material, for example new bylaws, and speak with residents.
    Nominations must be filed with the respective Returning Officer at the municipal office on September 23 between 10 a.m. and noon.
    For more information on how to become an elected official, visit www.albertaleaders.ca.