For the second time in less than a year Village of Clyde residents will head to the polls.
June 24 has been set for the byelection to fill the seat vacated by mayor Matthew White, who resigned April 1.
Prospective candidates need to file their nomination papers by noon, May 13 and if only one person files, no election will be held.
Council also agreed to hold an advance vote and allow people to cast their vote via special ballot (written), although both will only be needed if two or more people run.
“I think it’s good because we’ll be getting into summer and a lot of residents are gone away. I have no problem with the 24th,” said Coun. Christa Clausing, who assumed the mayor’s seat at council’s April 8 meeting.
“It’s nice that we’ll be able to offer the special ballot whether people use it or not.”
CAO Edward LeBlanc told council that according to the Municipal Government Act, the byelection needs to be held within 90 days of the vacancy, which set July 1 as the deadline.
As well the MGA states a municipality must hold a byelection if the vacancy in more than six months before general election (the next municipal election is slated for October 2021) and if council has less than six sitting members — the village currently has four. Finally, village staffer Kim Hale has been appointed as returning officer.
This is second time villagers will head to polls in less than a year as Art Purdy won a Dec. 11 byelection, defeating Chris Terry 54-16. That byelection was necessary following the death of Coun. Allan Van Eaton in September 2018.
Mayoral duties
Clausing took over as mayor, via a 4-0 vote, while Coun. Nat Dvernichuk will assume the deputy-mayor role by a 3-1 vote — both were the only names forwarded.
Unlike the Town of Westlock, which sees residents vote for a mayor, village councillors vote on the position — it’s a decision normally made at council’s annual organizational meeting held in the fall. Once a fifth councillor is added, council will then appoint a new mayor and deputy mayor.
“The timeframe (for these appointments) is clear, until there’s a full complement of council,” said LeBlanc.
Council also split up White’s previous committee appointments. Purdy will join the Westlock Regional Water Services Commission, while Clausing will join the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework committee, which has yet to meet. Dvernichuk will be added to the Municipal Planning Commission, joining Coun. Doug Nyal and Clausing.
White’s other committee appointments, which included GROWTH Alberta, Joint Services and Emergency/Disaster Services, will be filled once a fifth councillor is added.
