By Charlene Tebbutt

Interim council appointed, by-election scheduled in Codette

Apr 11, 2018 | 5:00 PM

A by-election has been scheduled in Codette to replace four of the Village’s councillors and elect a new mayor.

The election was triggered by the resignation of three councillors from the community last week. The community’s mayor also resigned from his position earlier this year. The by-election was set for June 27 in Codette, and a call for nominations will go out April 30. 

Three councillors – Gord Bulger, Mark Gunnlaugson, and Brian Rutherford – resigned last week following a decision to cut hours for the village’s lone maintenance officer. The three councillors issued a statement saying they felt they had lost the confidence of the community following the decision in January, which reduced the maintenance officer’s position from 32 hours per week to nine. Residents in the community also circulated a petition asking for the hours to be restored to previous levels.

With just one local councillor remaining, and not enough for a full quorum, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Relations appointed three interim councillors. The Ministry appointed Lyle Black, Brenda Hayduk and Kevin Hess to fill three of the vacant seats until the by-election.

Ashley Lonson, administrator for the Village of Codette, said the interim council will be in charge of day-to-day business for the community.

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“They’ll be able to pay the bills and get work going for the spring, and basically make sure that operations don’t cease between now and the election,” Lonson said.

Lonson said an information session was planned for May 10 at 6 p.m. for anyone interested in running for one of the vacant council seats. She said a council position is an opportunity for residents to give back to their community.

“I think that when you live in a community, and if you feel strongly about making it better, then you should be part of that change,” Lonson added.

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt