Baker steps down from Neepawa Town Council
- Details
- Published on Thursday, April 9, 2015
By Eoin Devereux
The Neepawa Banner
Voters in Neepawa will return to the polls a little bit earlier than expected, as Jodi Baker has resigned from Town Council.
Baker was first elected in October for a four-year term, but decided to step down in order to take the vacant position of Municipal Clerk in the Neepawa town office.
Neepawa mayor Adrian de Groot said there was an administrative vacancy because of a recent resignation. De Groot noted that vacancy was advertised and garnered over 30 applications, including Baker鈥檚.
鈥淭hrough the process of evaluation and interviews, our administration shortlisted a group of candidates, which included Ms. Baker, who would go on to be selected for the position,鈥� said de Groot. 鈥淭he municipal act does not allow an employee [of the Town of Neepawa] to simultaneously hold a position on council. So, consequently a decision had to be made to accept her resignation.鈥�
De Groot noted that while it鈥檚 disappointing to lose Baker鈥檚 insight from around the council table, town administration is gaining a person with valuable experience, who should serve the community well in this new capacity.
As for the now vacant council chair, de Groot says a decision should be made soon on how to fill the position.
鈥淲e鈥檙e looking at the calendar, trying to schedule the right time for a by-election. Our electoral officer, who is also our CAO [Colleen Synchyshyn] will suggest a date to council to hold the by-election. We鈥檒l likely have a date soon,鈥� said de Groot. 鈥淚 anticipate we鈥檒l have a date on our next regular meeting of council [scheduled for Apr. 21].鈥�
