Claresholm town council has lost one of its members after the departure of councillor Craig Zimmer, announced by Mayor Brad Schlossberger in a media release on June 30, 2026.
The release, posted to the Town of Claresholm’s official Facebook page, wished Zimmer well in his future endeavors and sparked messages of thanks from residents for his service to the community. Fellow councillors Kieth Carlson, Kandice Meister and Seth Wagner were seen interacting with the post.
Zimmer had served on council since 2017 and was most recently re-elected in October 2025 with 565 votes, the lowest tally among the six successful candidates. During his time on council, he held roles on several committees, including the Emergency Management Advisory Committee, Emergency Services Committee, Grievance Committee, and Wage Negotiating Committee. He also served stretches as deputy mayor and brought greetings on behalf of the town at community events like the Terry Fox Run.
His departure leaves five remaining councillors—Seth Wagner, Kandice Meister, Rod Kettles, David Knox and Kieth Carlson—alongside Mayor Schlossberger. Under Alberta’s Municipal Government Act, council must now decide how to fill the vacancy, either through a by-election or by appointing an eligible resident, within a set time frame.
Zimmer had been absent from several recent council votes, including decisions on a food bank rent reduction and an electricity franchise fee increase. No reason was given for his departure.
