Redcliff mayoral candidates preparing for election night

“You never get over that, I don’t know of anybody that does,” said Reimer. “So, it’s consternation for sure and excitement all mixed in at the same time.”

Running against him is a familiar face to Redcliff residents in Dwight Kilpatrick.

Spending the last 28 years on Redcliff Council, he said he was finally motivated to make a run for the mayor’s seat.

“Mayor is the face of council and most of the time even the face of the community, because that’s who most people go to ask,” said Kilpatrick. “And, I just thought that I could do a better job.”

For Kilpatrick, he’s wanting to address the town’s water rates, while Reimer is campaigning to extend 9th Avenue from Mitchell Street to Saamis Drive to create another entrance into Redcliff.

However, both are pushing hard for upgrades in response to the town’s aging sewer system.

“There is ground water getting into our sanitary system, so we’re going to be tackling that,” said Reimer. “That’s the number one priority as far as our strategic plan goes.”

“We have sanitary constraints which are limiting our economic growth,” said Kilpatrick. “We can talk economic growth until we’re blue, but where are you going to build it if you’re sanitary is running full?”

In 2013, Reimer was elected mayor with 55% of the vote with 1,157 Redcliff residents casting ballots.

Reimer said he’s itching for the campaign to end and return to Town Hall, if he’s re-elected on Monday night.

“We’re looking forward to having that load taken off our backs,” he said. “Let’s get back to work and let’s do the job that we’re elected to do, if that’s the case.”

As for Kilpatrick, he’s content with letting the chips fall where they may, stating he’s done all he can from a campaign perspective.

“I’m not going to say I’m not nervous, but I can’t change it,” said Kilpatrick. “So, somewhere in along that Serenity Prayer is the wisdom to know the difference, I can’t fix it. It’s going to be what it is, tomorrow I’ll know.”

Seven candidates are also fighting for six seats on Redcliff Council, with incumbents Cathy Crozier, Larry Leipart, Eric Solberg, and Jim Steinke trying to retain their seats.

They’ll be challenged by newcomers John Gaetan, Shawna Cockle, and Chris Czember, with at least two rookies guaranteed to join Redcliff Council.

The Town is counting ballots by hand on Monday, and hope to have results trickle in between 9:30 and 10:00 pm.

by Scott Roblin

Redcliff mayoral candidates preparing for election night

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