Just a handful of months into his tenure as mayor of the Village of Clyde, Matthew White has stepped down and left the community.
“It is with deep regret that I am informing you of my decision to resign as the mayor and councillor of the Village of Clyde. Effective today, April 1, 2019, I, Matthew White, am removing myself from the office of mayor of the village and will no longer be serving as a councillor,” White’s resignation letter to village council reads. “It has been an honour to serve you and to represent the village and the people of Clyde. However, due to changes in my personal life, I am leaving the village to live with my partner. This decision was not made quickly, or without thought; however, this is the best decision for me and I know that I leave the village in good hands.”
White became a village councillor by acclamation in December 2016 after arriving in the community the previous May. He then garnered the highest vote total, with 82, in the 2017 municipal election.
He was a military policeman for 10 years, prior to his move to the area, and became manager of the Victim Services Unit in Westlock.
“I have truly enjoyed my time in Clyde, both as a both as an elected official and as a resident. From the moment I moved here, I felt like the village was home. Everyone has been so kind and accommodating, I’ll miss seeing you and hearing about your lives,” he wrote.
White became mayor of the village in December 2018 after former mayor Nat Dvernichuk opted not to let his name stand.
“Thank you for welcoming me into Clyde and for trusting me to represent you and be the voice of the village. I wish you all nothing but the best, and I’m sure I’ll see you around.
“While the village will change — mayors will come and people will move on — I hope that the kindness you show for one another and the sense of community doesn’t change.”
Village CAO Edward LeBlanc said council will decide on a new mayor at its April 8 meeting. Either deputy-mayor Crista Clausing or councillors Dvernichuk, Doug Nyal or Art Purdy will become the next mayor. Following that council will also need to decide on when the village will hold a byelection to fill the seat.
