Eight potential candidates have register so far for this fall's Rocky View County (RVC) council election and more are waiting in the wings in what is expected to be a major changing of the guard.

At this point, only two current councillors are in RVC candidate registry and some others have indicated they will be seeking re-election. Still, several said they will not be running, including Bragg Creek division one candidiate Liz Breakey.

Breakey, who was first elected in a March 2012 byelection, believes it's time for a fresh face from division one and intends to throw her support behind declared candidate Mark Kamachi.

"I think two terms, one and a half terms in my case, is more than enough and there is a good young man who is willing to step up to the plate, Mark Kamachi. He's a real community guy and I'm happy with him and so I'm going to support him. I'll still stay involved and I'll be there for Mark anyway I can, but we've been through a few crises over the years and you get a little cynical after a while and it's time to step back."

Councillors in all other divisions close to Cochrane plan to run, including div. 9 councillor Bruce Kendall, div. 8 councillor Eric Lowther and div. 2 councillor Jerry Arshinoff.

Lowther was elected in a 2015 byelection, narrowly defeating Samanntha Wright by 21 votes, and wants the opportunity to continue work he has started.

"It will be less than two years since I was elected and I got some things started but have a number of things to finish and I think it's appropriate that I keep serving for one more term or at least offer my service for another term."

Kendall, who is nearing the end of his first term, also wants to continue taking steps to improve the county's operation. He wants pursue further refinements to county processes, come to grips with infrastructure needs of developments currently underway or in the planning stages and to continue to increase the amount of nonresidential development.

Arshinoff decided about a year and half ago he would seek re-election and says he doesn't like the current council.

"I must say, with no disrepect to my fellow councillors, I am very much hoping that we get a much better council in the October election," says Arshinoff. "By a better council I mean at least five councillors whose greatest priority is the residents of Rocky View in terms of stormwater, wastewater, traffic, finances, taxes... in terms of everything. They are priority number one."

He believes more progress could have been made these last four years with the right group of councillors.

Reeve Greg Boehkle, of division 6, is concerned about the number of councillors retiring and, with 13 years under his belt and two years as reeve, will seek re-election.

"We've got four and possibly five that are leaving and I look at continuity as one reason to seek re-election.  A municipality that's as vibrant and busy as Rocky View to lose potentially six or seven, eight--you could lose nine councillors, there's no guarantee that I'm going to get re-elected--you lose all of that continuity. It will be a real battle for a new council to start from zero when they have no experience."

He also wants to continue work on the mandated growth management board for the Calgary region that RVC has viewed skeptically.

"I want to stay and see that through and do as good a job for the county as I can and to try and get the best deal we can."

 Right now, RVC is accepting notice of intentions from potential candidates. As in all municipl elections, candidates are now required to register with the county in order to accept any campaign contributions prior to nomination day.

In addition, there are new rules coming forward from the Alberta government, though they have not as of yet been ratified. 

"Once approved, those amendments will require all councillors to receive basic orientations and compile with the municipality's code of conduct before their nomination papers are accept," explains Charlotte Satnik, RVC deputy municipal clerk. "The training has to be completed within 90 days of being elected or they are subject to disqualification."

In the meantime, RVC has been focusing on providing as much information as possible for potential candidates. That includes an information package, available on their website or as a hard copy, and making themselves available to answer any questions

"We're here to answer any questions for anyone and all the information we can we'll put on our website," she explains. 

They are also starting the hiring process for polling stations and finalizing polling station locations and advance poll dates. This election there will be only one advance poll held in each division.  

While not many potential candidates have registered, she says people are paying attention.

"People are starting to perk up their ears and starting to get more interested and there's more advertising. It's on everyone's radar."

September 18 is nomination day and the election is on Oct. 16.  Besides incumbents, other candidates currently registered are Jerry Gautreau, Syd Hartley, Daniel Henn, Mark Kamachi, Kim McKylor and Albert Schule.

You can find out more about the upcoming RVC election here. You can also phone 403-230-1401 and ask to speak to someone about the RVC election.