MEDICINE HAT, AB — The daughter of one of Medicine Hat’s former mayors is throwing her name into the race for city council.
Maureen Roberts has become the latest candidate to seek a councillor position in the municipal election this fall.
A life-long Hatter, she said this year was the right time for her to enter politics.
“I have a strong love for this community,” she said. “I feel that public service is very important. “The timing for me is very important. I believe that strong leadership and positive, thoughtful leadership and government is a direction to go.
Roberts is the daughter of Ted Grimm, who was mayor of Medicine Hat from 1980-2001. She says she’s learned many lessons from him when he was mayor including “strong leadership, fair leadership, and listening to the people, understanding what their issues are.”
Roberts has worked as a landscaper for the past several years and also managed the Rite Downtown Garden Centre. She has sat on the Urban Environment and Recreation Advisory board, as well as the City Centre Development Agency boards.
Roberts says if elected, ensuring the city remains financially stable remains one of her priorities.
“It’s very important,” she said. “Having been an oil patch wife for 27 years, I understand the ebb and flow of economics, and that it’s important to separate your wants from your needs.”
So far, 11 other candidates have announced they are seeking a council position, including current councillors Brian Varga, Les Pearson, Jim Turner, Bill Cocks, Julie Friesen and Robert Dumanowski. Other candidates who have filed candidate papers include former councillors Phil Turnbull and Darren Hirsch, as well as Jim Black, Myles Mullholland and Charles Turner.
Mayor Ted Clugston is also seeking re-election, though no candidate has registered to run for mayor.
The deadline for nominees for the election is September 18, while the Civic Election takes place Oct. 16.
