Several new faces on councils in Coalhurst and Lethbridge County following Oct. 20 municipal election

Posted on October 30, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

Both the Town of Coalhurst and Lethbridge County are welcoming returning incumbents and several new faces on their respective councils this fall, following the Oct. 20 municipal election.   

The Town of Coalhurst held an official swearing-in ceremony on Monday, Oct. 27 at the Coalhurst Community Centre, where Coalhurst Mayor-elect Deb Florence, who previously served as a councillor during the 2021-2025 term, and four councillors-elect, including newcomers Lori Harasem, Brody Prete, and Colin Slingsby, along with the return of incumbent Jesse Potrie, took take their oath of office. 

Orientation for Coalhurst council members is scheduled for the week of Oct. 28-30, while they will hold their first regular council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 6:00 p.m. in the council chambers. The elected council will serve a four-year term until the next scheduled general municipal election in 2029. 

Mayor-elect Deb Florence won the mayoral race with a vote count of 297, beating out fellow candidates Dennis Cassie (160) and Scott Akkermans (199).   

“I’m incredibly grateful to the residents of Coalhurst for their trust and support. It’s an honour to serve as Mayor and to represent the good people of this community for the next four years,” said Florence. “I’m proud to sit alongside such an incredible group of council as we work together with administration and residents to keep building a town we can all be proud of. Coalhurst is evolving, and this is our time to shape that growth with purpose and a clear vision for the future.”

In a press release the Town of Coalhurst extended sincere gratitude to outgoing Mayor Lyndsay Montina, who chose not to run again, as well as Coun. Scott Akkermans, and Coun. Heather Caldwell and thanked them for their dedicated public service. 

“Throughout their tenures, they have been committed advocates for the community, contributing to countless initiatives and decisions that have helped shape Coalhurst’s growth and success,” read the release. “The town thanks all of them for their leadership, commitment, and years of service to our residents, including 18 years of service for Coun. Caldwell.” 

Voter turnout in Coalhurst this year was 656, which is about 32 per cent of Coalhurst’s eligible voters, while the 2021 Municipal Election, saw a total of 672 Coalhurst residents vote out of 2,030 eligible voters, or 33 per cent. The 2021 election turnout included two referendum questions and senate election. 

“I want to thank all residents who took the time to cast their ballots in the 2025 Municipal Election,” said Returning Officer Larry Randle. “Your participation is vital to local democracy, and we appreciate everyone who contributed to making this election a success. I would also like to extend sincere thanks to the election workers, volunteers and staff whose professionalism and dedication ensured an efficient, transparent, and fair election process.” 

Lethbridge County:

Lethbridge County also held an election for two Divisions – Division 6 and 7, while Divisions 1-5 saw all incumbents acclaimed. 

In Division 6, Eric Van Essen was elected with 152 votes, with William Raats finishing second with 91 votes, while Tony Ankermann was elected to Division 7 with a total of 76 votes, edging out incumbent, Morris Zeinstra, who finished with 20 votes. Acclaimed incumbents included Lorne Hickey in Division 1, Tory Campbell in Division 2, Mark Sayers in Division 3, John Kuerbis in Division 4 and Kevin Slomp in Division 5.  

Voter turnout saw a total of 339 votes cast, which totalled 16 per cent of eligible voters. 

Residents in both Divisions had two opportunities to cast their ballots. An advance vote was held Oct. 18, in Shaughnessy (Division 6) and Turin (Division 7) community halls, and on general election day voting took place Monday, Oct. 20, at the same locations. 

All seven Lethbridge County councillors will be sworn in at the organizational meeting on Friday, Oct. 31, at 9:30 a.m. The Reeve and Deputy Reeve for the next year will also be selected. The meeting will be held in council chambers at the Lethbridge County administration office and will be live-streamed on the county’s website http://www.lethcounty.ca and YouTube page. 

Two other municipalities in the Sunny South News coverage area also had their councils acclaimed earlier last month, following Nomination Day on Sept. 22.  

The Town of Picture Butte saw Mayor Cathy Moore acclaimed, along with returning councillor incumbents Cynthia Papworth, Crystal Neels, Teresa Feist, and Henry de Kok. 

The Town of Nobleford also had all five candidates acclaimed including incumbent Joan Boeder, William Oudshoorn, Robert Morrow, Melissa Jensen and Don McDowell. The new council will be sworn in on Tues. Oct. 28, 2025.