Morden by-election

Morden's new Mayor and councillors took their oath of office Friday and are now officially part of city council. Nancy Penner was elected Mayor in Wednesday's by-election, with Tracey Krause and Brenda Klassen voted onto council.
    

The City of Morden has a new mayor. Nancy Penner came out on top, receiving 1,567 votes in Wednesday's by-election. 

Penner gave her reaction to being chosen to lead the city for the next three years.  

"I have to say I am so overwhelmed by the incredible support from the community with the election results tonight, and you know, I am so excited. I have to say it's truly an honour and a privilege to be elected Mayor of Morden."  

Former city councillor Nancy Penner is heading back to Morden's council chamber, this time as the community's new mayor. Penner defeated Nicholas Hoeppner in Wednesday's by-election.

Penner resigned from council in late October in order to run for Mayor after previous head of council, Brandon Burley, stepped down earlier this year.

In an interview with PembinaValleyOnline announcing her candidacy in October, Penner said, "I'm ready. I know I have the qualifications to stand up and provide leadership to the community."

Residents can cast their ballots for the December 20th Morden by-election starting today. Advance voting is happening today at the Morden Civic Centre from 8 am to 8 pm. 
    
On the ballot in the mayoral race is Nicholas Hoeppner and Nancy Penner. One is to be elected.
    
Additionally, there are 7 people vying for one of two councillor positions: Chris Abrams, Megan Giesbrecht, Dave Hildebrand, Brenda Klassen, Tracey Krause, Allan Spearman and Darlene Wiebe. 

Monday night the community was invited to participate in an all candidates forum at the Morden 55+ Activity Centre, with the seven council candidates taking the stage to share their vision for the city if elected. The evening was organized and hosted by the Morden Chamber of Commerce. There are two council seats available in the upcoming by-election being held December 20th. 

Monday night the community was invited to participate in an all candidates forum at the Morden 55+ Activity Centre, with the two mayoral candidates taking the stage to share their vision for the city, if elected, December 20th. The evening was organized and hosted by the Morden Chamber of Commerce.

Morden by-election candidate Megan Giesbrecht was born and raised in Winkler and moved to Winnipeg. When choosing to move back to the Pembina Valley, she decided to live in Morden for its beauty and tight-knit feel. She opened her salon business in Winkler in 2020. 

The timing of this decision and the challenges she faced, influenced her decision to run for Morden City Council.     

Dave Hildebrand is one of seven City of Morden Candidates running in the December 20th election, hoping to fill one of two empty councilor seats. 

He was born in Morden.  

"I went to school there, spent grade 5, 6 and 7 in Northern BC, Northern Alberta, Central Alberta. When we came home to Morden, it was home and I want to emphasize "home." My father broke farmland South of Morden behind a horse and a single plow, sod buster. Mother shoveled gravel into wagons for our first dam, back in the 30s." 

His farming background made an impact on his life.  

With seven people vying for two councilor seats around Morden's council table, Darlene Wiebe would like to be one of Morden's city councilors in the upcoming December 20th by-election. 

Two people are vying for the position of mayor in Morden's December 20th by-election, former city councilor Nancy Penner and Morden resident Nicholas Hoeppner. 

At 24, Hoeppner has decided to "go big or go home" and run for top spot on city council.