His position won’t be filled before the Oct. 18, 2021 election, however, since councillors decided not to hold a byelection.
“I took on a full-time job and I just don’t have the time to be able to carry out the duties of the council, all the committees and stuff like that. The job that I took on just doesn’t allow the time to do it,” Slobodian told the Westlock News Nov. 13.
“The opportunity came up for me and I have to do what’s best for my family.”
As for no byelection: “It’s not for me to decide,” he said.
Reeve Jared Stitsen, who was appointed representative for Slobodian’s division with deputy reeve Brian Coleman, explained it was more about saving money and time.
“Some of it is based on the cost involved for a byelection and the second part is we’re going through a budget currently. With the training requirements now, it’s going to take too long to get somebody up to speed on what’s happening. We’re looking at saving costs,” he said last Friday over the phone.
He doesn’t think there will be any issues with an even number of councillors.
In council chambers Nov. 10, Coun. Isaac Skuban put up some resistance to leaving the seat empty.
“I hate having a division without representation for 11 months. Then I thought we’re going to have a vote on the ski hill before the next election, it would be a shame if Division 6 wasn’t represented enough,” Skuban said.
He was elected in a byelection last year in September after Div. 5 Coun. Darrell Osmond resigned because of his job.
“I understand timing is bad and it’s only 11 months but the ski hill issue, it really defines this council’s term almost. It’s a big issue for residents. … If it wasn’t for the ski hill issue as well as looking at big changes in the budget, I would say ‘Yeah, we don’t need someone.’ But I think with the trajectory that we’re going this year, having someone on the council would be very helpful even if they don’t have a lot of experience.”
It’s likely that only one person might sign up, he said in response to Coun. Victor Julyan’s noticing: “It’s not a very good time to have an election. … It would be reckless to encourage someone to be going out (collecting votes).”
As for the vacancy itself and under representation, Stitsen thinks it can be covered by existing councillors.
“If any of the residents want to meet — with all the COVID requirements — I’m willing to go out there and meet with any of the residents if they want to voice their concerns that are going on right now or are coming up. … We don’t want anyone to feel like they don’t have representation, but they do,” he said during their Tuesday meeting.
“We represent the county, not just our division,” added Coleman.
