People living in the municipality of Norfolk-Treherne will have plenty of choices for their September 4th by-election.

Twelve people have filed papers to fill four vacant spots on their municipal council.

When asked if that's a lot for a by-election, Roger Bouvier, the Interim CAO for the municipality says it's not unusual.

"These numbers are all over the place," says Bouvier. "Looking at the issues in the community, it shows that there's a lot of interest. I don't know if there's a normal number of candidates in these by-elections, but it just shows that there's definitely some interest and we'll see what happens."

He notes people will not just be voting for their councillors.

"There's also going to be a question at the same time as the election regarding the gasification of the municipality," says Bouvier. "That might bring some more interest to the picture. I would expect that there should be a good turnout considering the activity in the community in the last month or so."

The specific question will be: "Do you support a tax levy on all properties in the municipality of Norfolk-Treherne to pay for a natural gas pipeline in the municipality?"

Bouvier says he hopes people will head to the polls.

"Well, certainly they should vote," says Bouvier. "It's a right that we have and with the issues ongoing in the community, I think it's a chance that they have to have their say. That is how electorers have their say it basically once every four years on election day. This is kind of like a second go-around in this municipality so I would encourage everybody to exercise their right and come out to vote."

The following councillors are running in Ward 1: Michael Darling, Reginald Vuignier, Ryan Gaultier, Gary Brunette
Ward 2: Gary Wilson, Albert Lesage
Ward 3 (two spots available): Allison Boehm-Rheault, Steve Nicholson, Gilles Guertin, Brian Latimer, David Marginet, Moses Dueck

The Treherne Municipal Office (215 Broadway Street in Treherne) and the Rathwell Hall (111 Broadway Street, Rathwell) will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on September 4th. Identification may be required before being allowed to vote.

Advance voting will take place August 28th at the Treherne Municipal Office from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. A mobile voting station will be at the Tiger Hills Health Centre (64 Clark Street, Treherne) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on September 4th for those who reside at a health care facility.

A voter who wishes to vote via sealed envelope or fax (204-723-2719) must apply to the senior election official at the Treherne Municipal Office between August 7th and August 30th. You must apply prior to August 30th.

A link to the notice of by-election can be found here.