The director of the Local Governance Commission of New Brunswick has confirmed that two councillors who sent letters of resignation to their colleagues on Monday have since rescinded those resignations, and so the council is no longer defunct.
Mary Oley replied to CHMA by email to say that she was “advised yesterday by the rural community of Strait Shores that two councillors had rescinded their resignations. As such, the council has quorum and there is no requirement for the Local Governance Commission of New Brunswick to appoint a supervisor.”
CHMA reported on Tuesday that councillors Stacy Jones and Tanya Haynes had sent letters of resignation on Monday afternoon. The resignations, combined with the previous resignation of Strait Shores mayor Jason Stokes, would have left the council without quorum, and unable to pass any further resolutions.
Strait Shores CAO Donna Hipditch confirmed by email today that councillors Jones and Haynes sent letters “confirming their rescinding of their resignation (that was not signed and came in an email) that will be read at the next council meeting on March 10, 2025.”
CHMA has reached out to councillors Jones and Haynes for comment.
No April by-election for vacant council seat
Hipditch also confirmed by email on Wednesday that Strait Shores council will not be meeting this week to pass a resolution confirming the vacancy left by the resignation of Mayor Jason Stokes. That means Strait Shores will not be included in the next round of municipal by-elections slated for April 14.
An Elections NB spokesperson told CHMA a council resolution would be required by Friday, February 28, in order to include Strait Shores in the April by-election. Hipditch responded to a CHMA enquiry to say that the council will not call a special meeting and that, “we will be reading the Mayors resignation at our next regular council meeting,” on March 10, 2025.
That means the mayor’s position on council will remain vacant for the next 15 months, until province-wide municipal elections happen on May 11, 2026. During that time, Deputy Mayor Annamarie Boyd will serve as acting mayor, as per rules of the Local Government Act.
