Judy Acres has become the new councillor for Viking Council after winning the seat by acclamation.
Nominations closed at noon on Tuesday, March 5, and hers was the only name which means she is able to assume the seat without need of a by-election.
She is replacing former councillor Clint Nearing, who resigned in December. A by-election originally set for April 5 will no longer need to be held.
Acres brings experience to the job having served three previous terms on council for a total of 11 years. Her first term was for three years and the last two went for four years each.
She chose not to run in the last municipal election “because I was having too much fun with my five grandbabies,” ages four through eight years.
Acres feared that nobody would put their name in for the council seat nomination, so agreed to take the seat if nobody else applied.
“I only submitted my name for this by-election because I was afraid we would not get any applications,” she said.
“I think it would be a terrible shame to present like a community that lacked leadership.”
So she only allowed her nomination form to be forwarded under two circumstances.
One was “that hell froze over,” and the other was that nobody else applied.
“I have agreed to serve only until the next election, and I seriously encourage concerned citizens to consider running for council at our next election,” she said.
Her reason for stepping up? “I love this community,” said Acres, who was born and raised here.
She vowed to continue serving in whatever capacity she can and is already on too many boards and committees to list here including the Viking Station Art Guild and Community Wellness Society.
“I will do my best to sere as town councillor for the next year and a half,” said Acres.
Patricia Harcourt
Editor
