Westlock's town council is one member short following the unexpected resignation of Sheila Foley. At their Aug. 10 meeting councillors accept Foley's resignation as the five-year-council veteran said she's moving out of town.
Westlock's town council is one member short following the unexpected resignation of Sheila Foley.
At their Aug. 10 meeting councillors accept Foley's resignation as the five-year-council veteran said she's moving out of town.
Nomination Day for candidates is Sept. 2, while a byelection is slated for Oct. 5.
Mayor Ralph Leriger said Foley's presence will be missed.
'I'm naturally disappointed. Sheila is an excellent councillor. She's an experienced politician and has been an invaluable resource for me," Leriger said.
'As a newcomer to this role she sat on my right side for a reason and I've appreciated her mentorship a great deal."
Foley said they're leaving town in order to move closer to family in southern Alberta.
'It's a personal thing. It has got nothing to do with the council or the work here," Foley explained.
'We just decided it's time to get closer to our grandchildren."
She said making the decision to leave council was tough.
'I had to give it a lot of thought. I had five great years here on council and we lived here for eight years," Foley said.
'The town has been great to me, the residents here, the taxpayers here have been so nice to work with and I really appreciate all of their support during the last five years."
Foley she would have preferred to stay on for the rest of her term, however life intervened.
With over two years to go until the next municipal election in 2017 a byelection will be held in accordance with the Municipal Government Act.
Leriger said the byelection brings new opportunity for interested residents to serve their community.
'It was almost two years ago when I was elected and there was, if I recall correctly, 13 people who put their names forward for six council positions," he said. 'Clearly at that time there were interested members of the community.
'Change is a good thing. We'll have a new perspective on council and we look forward to new ideas. It's a great opportunity for someone."
Town of Westlock CAO Dean Krause estimates the byelection will cost $5,000 to $10,000.
