Those planning to running in the fall municipal election appear to be keeping their cards close to their chest so far.

Dan Cunin officially registered with the returning officer on Apr. 17 to kick off his second crack at  becoming a town councillor and since then no one else has turned in papers at the town office.

It doesn't mean interest is low, though. Those completely self-funded their campaigns aren't required to register, points out returning officer Jaylene Knight, but if you are fundraising you must register before you begin.

Many names of potential candidates are drifting in the wind and some have indicated they are giving it serious consideration. Some sitting town councillors have also indicated they won't be running but nothing is written in stone until nomination day, Sept. 18.

While they are still pondering, Cunin has started knocking on doors and was in West Cochrane last weekend. He also visited merchants in downtown Cochrane last Friday.

"The experience so far has been really great," says Cunin. "I've had great conversations with a few people and I've even had a couple people approach me. A couple people surprised me and said 'Hey, I know you'."

Cunin went downtown first because he wants to know the merchants' views on what is working, what isn't and what should be tweaked.

"One of my areas of interest is how to maintain an active and vibrant downtown and mainstreet. It's really what has built this town and I think we can transform that into something  that grows just as well as any part of Cochrane."

Cunin actually started campaiging later this time around. For his 2013 campaign, when he personally visited most residents in our sprawling community, he started going door-to-door in the winter.

Senior Communications Advisory Laura Drukier says the town will be launching a campaign later this month to help people decide if a council run is a good fit.

"We do have plans for getting the word out and giving people some hints about how to make that decision on whether or not to run," says Drukier.

They had some information available at the recent Cochrane trade show and more is coming.

"What we found from past council members is there is a bit of a surprise factor," explains Drukier.

To prevent this, they are suggesting people attend a couple of council meetings to see how they are run, read agendas and minutes to see how things are presented to council and review the background information on resolutions  before they are debated by council.

"If you run for council and you get elected, the first council meeting where you get sworn in should not be the first council meeting you have ever attended."

The town also recommends people visit the election websites of Alberta Municipal Affairs and Town of Cochrane to get a better understanding of the authority and responsibilities of a municipal council.

 In 2013, three ran for mayor and 13 for council.

You can get more information here.