By Charles Lefebvre

Bill Cocks announces he is seeking re-election; other candidates begin filing papers for fall election

Mar 28, 2017 | 11:49 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — With six months left to go before the nomination deadline, candidates have started to file their papers for the 2017 municipal election.

The election is set for October 16, but the deadline for nominations is September 18, according to the Local Authorities Election Act.

At the moment, Ted Clugston is the only candidate who has declared he is running for mayor, announcing his intentions at the State of the City Address in January.

Bill Cocks, although he has not officially filed the paperwork, told CHAT News on Tuesday he plans to seek re-election. Cocks served three consecutive terms from 1998 to 2007, and was elected in 2013 for his fourth term.

“I enjoy being in a position where I can have an influence on the decisions that affect my community,” said Cocks. “I’m encouraged by the support I’ve received from the community that I’m saying and doing the right things.”

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Cocks, who worked as a lawyer for 40 years, says it is important to have a variety of experience and backgrounds on council.

“I hope I bring my experience as a lawyer, my experience as a life-long resident here, and the feedback I’m getting tells me I’m doing something right.”

As of Tuesday, several current councillors have already filed their papers to seek re-election. Jim Turner and Brian Varga, both elected for the first time in 2013, have filed to run for another four-year term on council. Les Pearson, first elected in 2010, is seeking his third consecutive term.

The confirmed candidates list also shows Phil Turnbull is looking to return to city council. The local businessman was elected to city council in 2010, but finished in second place when he ran for mayor in 2013.

Jim Black, who ran for council in 2013, is also throwing his name back into the race. Charles Turner is running for council for the first time.

Councillors Celina Symmonds, Julie Friesen and Jamie McIntosh remain undecided about another run for city council. Councillor Robert Dumanowski, who received the most votes among councillors in the 2013 election, could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.