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’s.

“Through 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,” said de Groot. “The 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.” 

De Groot noted that while it’s disappointing to lose Baker’s 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.

“We’re 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’ll likely have a date soon,” said de Groot. “I anticipate we’ll have a date on our next regular meeting of council [scheduled for Apr. 21].”