Westlock County reeve Bud Massey says he’ll resign as reeve, but only if his Div. 4 constituents ask him to.
At council’s July 12 meeting, Massey didn’t respond to calls from a pair of residents who asked the reeve to “step down immediately,” but later said that he would he would “absolutely” oblige if the request came from his electors.
“I was elected by the people of Div. 4 and I think the people of Div. 4 should be the ones that should tell me what they would like,” Massey said.
“My intent is to call a meeting of the residents of Div. 4 and ask them what they want.”
The reeve also didn’t respond to allegations at the July 12 meeting that he had involvement in the Horizon North deal, has used RCMP connections to intimidate opponents and helped former CAO Peter Kelly destroy files.
More than 40 residents packed council chambers July 12 to protest ongoing issues at the county and voice dissatisfaction with council.
Stuart Fox-Robinson was amongst a handful to speak at the meeting and called for Massey’s resignation.
“This is the honourable thing for you to do. Frankly, it is bewildering you have not made this decision yourself,” Fox-Robinson said.
“It is time for Westlock County to move forward with competent leadership and someone the people can trust.”
Massey did not respond at the meeting, but later told the Westlock News he’s not willing to step aside.
“The more important issue is moving forward and dealing with the issues of Westlock County,” Massey said.
At the meeting, Fox-Robinson made a slew of allegations including that Massey assisted former CAO Peter Kelly to destroy files, bullied staff and that he used RCMP connections to intimidate opponents.
“After the last council meeting (which I attended), I was told to watch my back. A number of residents approached me and said, ‘Be very careful what you’re doing,’” Fox-Robinson said.
Fox-Robinson proceeded to read a letter he penned to the RCMP Ethics Commissioner, copied to the Solicitor General and Alberta Justice, outlining his concerns.
Massey said he was “hurt” and “offended” by the allegations made by Fox-Robinson and did not respond to them at the meeting.
“I thought they were too serious. It’s not the policy of our council to respond to questions off the cuff,” the reeve said.
“I’m awaiting those questions. They’ll be given due consideration and it’s very serious, extremely serious and very offensive.”
When asked by the News to answer the allegations, Massey again deferred.
“I don’t think it’s fair that I comment to you when I didn’t do it publicly,” Massey said.
“Those questions are serious enough that they should be given a lot of consideration and should be answered likely in writing. I would like to make the comment that I have not directed any member of staff and I have not engaged in the use of any office equipment.”
Fox-Robinson wasn’t the only one to call for Massey’s resignation. Bill Hiebert joined in asking for the reeve to step aside immediately.
“Mr. Massey needs to step down immediately because him and a few other councillors have misled the county,” Hiebert said.
Roger Craig didn’t directly ask for a resignation, but said council should view a chamber packed with concerned residents as a lack of support.
“I think what’s going on here has gone on for far too long. What you see in this room is a non-confidence vote for this council,” Craig said.
It was not the first time Massey was publicly asked to step down from office.
Fox-Robinson previously asked the reeve to resign at the June 28 meeting, and on June 14 Coun. Dennis Primeau’s motion to have Massey removed as reeve was defeated 4-3.
In a recorded vote, councillors Dennis Primeau, Ray Marquette and Don Savage supported his removal, while Massey himself, along with councillors Ron Zadunayski, Albert St. Louis and Mel Kroetsch voted against.
