List of Candidates

Victor was born and raised here in Alberta, with early years in small towns and on the farm in the north part of our Province. After living in a few areas throughout the Province, an opportunity came to settle in High River. After 16 years there, a move occurred to Nanton. From the first year in High River and having the golf game as a passion, the experience at the Nanton Golf Course, dealing with the people he met and the town itself made a right choice decision to move to Nanton and establish the final set of roots. It indeed, was the right choice in life to get back to an environment that was most comfortable and enjoyable. After 17 years here in Nanton already, I am convinced this was the right choice in life. My involvement with many community groups convinces me, we have a great community here.

With living and work experiences through most parts of the Province in various industries, having attained leadership roles and management experiences, it became clear to apply that knowledge in being a team member in leading the community through Council of Nanton and to be the best we can be, as individuals and as a Town

As we rise from our youth through the teen age years, into adulthood and into our senior years, we should strive to become the pillars of our community and always have the thought of never quit learning, at any age, as education is an un-measurable quality that we need to make a better world for future generations

With significant local encouragement, I have submitted the candidate documents for the position of Councillor for the Town of Nanton in the upcoming 2025 civic election.  

Or those new to the Town of Nanton I was Mayor from 2013-2017. During my term and due to a major failure of the waste water treatment plant the town constructed a new plant, a $12 million dollar project through funds raised at all levels of government and completed on time and on budget.  The Town Council also developed a land purchase program that promoted the sales in Westview that subsequently enabled the town, who were the developers, to pay off all debts expended in this area.    Other accomplishments include forming a Finance Committee consisting of both council members and local citizens to review and provide input to the Town financial policies and developed a very successful physician recruitment and retention committee to hire and retain physicians at our Nanton Medical Clinic.  

To provide some personal background I am a Mining Technician and have certifications with respect to  safety, project management, leadership, etc.. I have worked in the mining and oil business for 30 years in various levels of management and organizational development. I owned and operated Athabasca Business Development Ltd. For 20 years, a company with a focus on leadership and organizational assessment and development, project management, corporate safety assessments. 

I look forward to working as a Town as a Councillor in completing a number of future major projects and continuing to make Nanton the Great Place To Live.

I am a dedicated community member and newcomer to Nanton, running for Town Council in October 2025. My commitment is rooted in honesty, integrity, and respect. With a background in public service (underground repair, fire department, parking authority, and parks) and a passion for civic engagement, I believe in transparent leadership, open dialogue, and working together to strengthen our town for all residents.

Just over a year ago, I faced major surgery and received help from our community when I needed it most. The kindness and unity I experienced inspired me to give back. Running for council is my way of giving back and ensuring Nanton remains a caring, supportive, and thriving place to live.

I bring a fresh perspective rooted in listening, learning, and leading with fairness and accountability. I am ready to serve and earn the trust of my neighbours—one conversation at a time. Together, we can keep Nanton one of the best places to reside in Alberta

If you’ve spent any time in Nanton, chances are we’ve crossed paths. Maybe I’ve poured your coffee at one of our downtown cafés, cheered alongside you at one of Nanton’s many games, or pushed you to add just a little more weight to your lift at Decidedly Fit.  This town has always been more than a place on a map to me. It is where I was born and raised, where my family’s roots run deep, and where I chose to raise my daughter. 

Nanton has given me so much, and I’m ready to give even more back. Over the years, I’ve been proud to serve our community, as President of Nanton Minor Baseball, as a board member for the Nanton Marlin Swim Club, and now as part of the Nanton Quality of Life Board. These roles have allowed me to listen, collaborate, and work alongside people of all ages to strengthen the place we call home.

For the past 15 years, I’ve worked with Alberta Health Services at the High River Hospital, first in long-term care, and more recently in the Cancer Clinic and Low Risk Clinic, managing payroll and scheduling. This work has sharpened my ability to stay organized, communicate clearly, and solve problems, skills I’m eager to bring to Town Council. I’m also completing my Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and Labour Relations through Athabasca University, deepening my knowledge in leadership, governance, and conflict resolution. 

I look forward to the opportunity to bring my dedication, experience, and passion for community service to town council.  Together, we can continue to make Nanton a great place to live, work, and raise families.

Roger Miller is a retired avid three-wheel motorcyclist, fly fisherman and woodworker. 

Throughout his career, Roger gained 25 plus years of project management in consulting engineering, a total of 45 years of building construction and maintenance experience and building performance consulting. Over the course of his career, Roger worked with well-known clients such as City of Calgary, Foothills School Division and the Alberta Provincial Government. He has been a resident of Alberta for 49 years and a resident of Nanton for 6 plus years.

Roger is passionate about continued improvement. He believes in community focused governance and sharing concerns from the residents of the Town. 

As a relative newcomer to Nanton, he brings a unique perspective to the table with an in-depth understanding of new resident needs and wants which is especially crucial with the addition of so many new residents. He believes that as a community, we have access to an array of resources and a fantastic opportunity to develop these into a Nanton Newbie resource to create a sense of community for our new residents.  

Roger is committed to providing the residents of the town of Nanton a strong voice to find SOLUTIONS to the issues that impact their daily lives
 

Dave has been a resident of Nanton for 45+ years. He with is wife Trisha have raised their three children in the same town they both were raised. Over the years Dave as been heavily involved in the community. Sitting on various boards and committees, coaching minor sports and is currently in his 4^th term as town councilor. Dave spent 17 years working in the energy sector as a self-employed contract operator and recently made a vocational change and is currently the general manager at the Nanton Golf Club. 

As a lifelong resident of Nanton, I have developed a deep love and appreciation for our community. My aim is to contribute to its growth and prosperity while ensuring that our town remains a place where everyone feels welcome and heard. I grew up in Calgary and moved to Nanton when I was 16, graduating from JT Foster High School. It was during this time that I discovered my love for landscaping while working with Four Seasons Landscaping. I also started my journey in customer service at Sweet Queen, gaining valuable experience while raising my three children.

As my children grew older, I returned to landscaping. Over the last five years, I have actively watched council meetings online, allowing me to connect with several council members both in town and in the MD of Willow Creek. In 2014, I moved back to Nanton and worked at the local grocery store before returning to Sweet Queen. In 2017, I began my career with TSI Yard Works, further deepening my ties to the community.

As a member of various volunteer groups, including the Community Center, the Grain Elevator, and Nanton Citizens on Patrol, I have engaged in many aspects of community life. I believe in the power of collaboration, and these experiences have strengthened my commitment to our town while providing me with a well-rounded perspective on the challenges we face.

If elected as your council member, I will prioritize open communication and transparency, ensuring that every voice is heard. I encourage you to reach out with your ideas and concerns. Together, we can build a brighter future for Nanton. 

Thank you for considering my candidacy. I am eager to serve our community and am committed to making decisions that reflect the values and needs of our residents. Let’s work together to make Nanton an even better place to live, work, and play!

I grew up in Nanton, attended J.T. Foster High School from grade 6 through grade 12, and was actively involved in community programs such as Explorers, softball, Nanton Figure Skating Club, and 4-H. These early experiences helped shape my understanding of the importance of volunteers and the strength of a close-knit community.

After spending some time away, I was excited and proud to return and call Nanton home again in 2011. Since then, I have volunteered with Meals on Wheels, the committee for the new Land Use Bylaw, local casino fundraisers, the Distinctly Nanton Christmas Market and the Nanton Christmas Concert. I currently serve as the Treasurer for the Nanton Future Foundation, Board member for the Nanton Quality of Life, and Chair of the Municipal Planning Commission.

Professionally, I recently retired after 40 years in the Oil & Gas Sector. My background includes contractual law, leadership, development of Processes & Procedures, a strong understanding of operational processes from cradle to grave and working closely with the Alberta Mines & Minerals Act. I believe these skills will be beneficial to the role of Town Councillor – particularly in the areas of governance, high level planning, and budgeting. I know how to ask the right questions and make decisions that are both fiscally responsible and grounded in community priorities.

I am running for Town Council because I believe in Nanton’s future. I want to ensure that our town continues to operate and grow in a thoughtful, sustainable way – with open conversations, strategic planning, and a council that listens and responds to its residents. With deep local roots, hands-on community involvement, and my professional experience, I am ready to serve.

Jen Handley was born and raised in Calgary and has called Nanton home for the last 19 years. She has proudly served the community on Council for 12 years, including four years as a councillor and the last eight years as mayor. With 20 years of experience as a REALTOR® and a background as a licensed electrician, Jen brings a practical and informed perspective to municipal leadership.

Jen is seeking re-election because she believes her experience and knowledge can provide stability and continuity as Nanton welcomes new councillors and takes on significant projects over the next four years. These include exploring a potential treated water line from High River, building a new clinic, relocating the RCMP to the Town Office and the Town Office to the THRC, advancing industrial development and the Westview residential project, and supporting the construction of two new schools.

She is committed to strengthening Nanton’s business community and local attractions through collaboration and events. Jen is dedicated to transparency, open dialogue, and thoughtful decision-making that reflects the best interests of the community.

Jen and her husband Geoff have two children and have been a host family for 12 international students attending JT Foster for many years. Her father-in-law has lived with them for the past seven years, and the family shares their home with two cocker spaniels. Jen also loves to travel, with Malta, Northern France, and Indonesia among some of her favourite destinations.

After 12 years on Council and two terms as mayor, Jen is honoured to seek re-election and looks forward to continuing to listen, learn, and serve the people of Nanton.

Suzanne Thomasson was born and raised in Alberta, growing up in a small southern Alberta town just east of Calgary,  She moved to Calgary in 1986 where she eventually met & married her husband Mike and raised their three daughters.  In 2017, Suzanne and Mike longed for the simple and stress-free lifestyle of small town living once again and began their search for their new small town life.  With directions of “an hour north, south or west of Calgary”, they quickly settled on Nanton as their new home along with their youngest teenaged daughter.  One key factor in selecting Nanton was the incredible seniors accommodations at Silver Willow Lodge.  With Suzanne’s mom & uncle getting older, she wanted to find a great fit for them so the entire family could be closer together. Within a month of moving to Nanton, Suzanne moved her mom & uncle to Nanton as well.  It has been a life changing decision for the better for the entire family…one that we have never regretted.

Suzanne's family has truly enjoyed everything that Nanton has to offer…..watching their daughter participate in Queen’s Ball, having parade water fights during Nanton Days and cheering on their unlucky ducks every year for the past 8 years, lighting up their entire yard with Christmas lights during Light Up Nanton, cheering on talented locals at the Nanton Nite Rodeos, grabbing a hot chocolate and cheering on the Palominos, grabbing ear plugs and watching the Lancaster engine run, taking in a live music show around town, watching their names get erased every year during the Fun N Sun fundraiser, and just walking around Main Street checking out the many awesome stores on a Saturday afternoon.  One highlight for Suzanne’s family was when the town came together for the Class of 2020 and organized an outdoor graduation ceremony, with full families in attendance, and the kids were honoured with a parade and gift bags with the entire town coming together to support them during what was a very difficult year.  This is not something that you would have found in any other community. Nanton is truly a one-of-a-kind town. Suzanne wants to give back to the community that she holds so dear in her heart and maintain that sense of community and compassion for years to come. 

Suzanne brings several decades of professional experience to the role of Mayor, including over 25 years as a Projects Coordinator/Contracts Analyst, and possesses a strong legal & mediation background.  Suzanne has been involved in multiple major projects from initial concept through to completion, including a brand new community hall in Calgary, a major international pipeline in Mexico, multiple mergers and acquisitions in Europe, and most recently managed a multi-million dollar pipeline inventory in northern Alberta and BC.  She has served on a committee that was key in getting accreditation for a small rural hospital.  She has had the privilege of studying or working with leaders such as Jean Chretien, John Turner, Stephen Harper, Joe Clark, Ralph Klein, Peter Lougheed, Jason Kenney, and Naheed Nenshi.  Suzanne believes that her diverse experience will ensure that the existing projects in Nanton have stability and continuity as these contracts have already been executed.  Her experience will bring fresh ideas and innovation to Nanton keeping in mind what the residents of Nanton want for their town. Suzanne does not want to jeopardize or lose the qualities of our small town, but rather to enhance and improve it’s charm and quality of life for all residents. 

Suzanne brings a fresh perspective to resolving the 12 year+ water issue.  Carefully studying the most recent professional engineer documentation has lead her to promising alternatives to solve the water issue. Suzanne believes amazingly effective solutions are within reach and can produce swift results.  Relying on a conditional agreement with another municipality is not in Nanton’s best interest long term.

Working with business owners to address unoccupied buildings that have been vacant for over a decade with unique and out-of-the-box ideas that would create a win-win situation for both the business owners and the residents of Nanton is another attainable result that Suzanne believes she can achieve.

Nanton is home to world-class athletes as well as weekend warriors and everything in between. Suzanne believes that working with stakeholders to enhance our indoor and outdoor athletic facilities so that they remain a valuable community asset will benefit Nanton residents as well as attract more visitors to our town which increases business.

Since they first moved to Nanton, Suzanne and Mike have been heavily involved in the community. They prefer a quiet approach to their community service but there are many in the community that know them very well for their tireless giving back, but they feel blessed as they have received that same community spirit back when they have needed it as well.

Suzanne looks forward giving back to Nanton by sharing her community dedication, compassion, common sense and budget-minded business experience with the residents of Nanton and would be more than proud to be elected to represent your voice on council.