Ila Boehm will soon have her picture alongside the 13 other mayors in Carrot River's history (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff).

By Aaron Schulze

First Female Mayor

Carrot River’s first female mayor: Ila Boehm becomes town’s acting leader

Nov 21, 2019 | 8:24 AM

The Town of Carrot River has its leader on council for the immediate future.

Ila Boehm, a councillor for three years, was appointed by unanimous resolution to be Carrot River’s acting mayor until a by-election is called. This comes nearly one week after former mayor Bob Gagne handed in his resignation letter.

Boehm told northeastNOW following Carrot River’s council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20 that Gagne’s resignation was a surprise to council, but she’s sure he made the best decision for himself.

“As for myself, I’m very pleased to be in this position,” Boehm said. “Mayor Gagne left us with a secure path to follow forward and I don’t foresee any trouble in the near future. This is a very cohesive council. We work well together and I’m leaning very strongly on the opinions of my fellow council to get us through this time.”

The reason Boehm wanted to step up as the acting mayor was to do her best to give back to Carrot River.

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“Three years ago, when I ran for council it was a bit of a whim,” she said. “I thought I would try it and I absolutely love serving on council. I love Carrot River, I’ve lived here for the major part of the last 43 years.”

Other than sitting on a few extra committees, Boehm doesn’t expect the workload to be particularly different to her duties as a councillor. Even if life becomes busier, she figures she can handle it for a maximum of six months if needed.

Due to Gagne resigning more than six months before Carrot River’s next municipal election on Nov. 9, 2020, the Municipalities Act prescribes that a by-election be held to determine the town’s next mayor.

Kevin Trew, Carrot River’s administrator, recommended council wait until the new year to announce a mayoral by-election so the new mayor doesn’t begin in the midst of the town’s budget discussions. Council agreed.

Boehm said she’s leaning on throwing her hat in to that race with the intention of concluding her municipal term as Carrot River’s mayor.

Council has until May 14, 2020 to call the mayoral by-election.

A first for Carrot River

Since its inception in 1948, the Town of Carrot River has had 13 mayors, all of them men.

With Boehm’s term as acting mayor being an official mayoral term, she is the first female in that role.

“It is an honour to be the first female mayor,” Boehm claimed. “I have to admit it feels pretty good. It’s an honour for me these gentlemen think I can handle this position and they’ve graciously allowed me to try help lead this town in a good direction.”

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow