By Mark Squibb
Witless Bay council is down to four members following the resignations of Lorna Yard and her husband and fellow councillor Alan Richards last week.
Yard announced their resignations on her personal Twitter account, complaining about a lack of support from her former colleagues but offering no details to support her gripes.
Mayor Trevor Croft would not speak to the matter, and instead redirected inquires to Town CAO Jennifer Aspell.
Aspell would only confirm that the Town received the two resignations last Thursday.
The Irish Loop Post also tried to contact councillors Ralph Carey, Gerard Dunne, and Jacob Hayden.
Hayden said he was unable to comment on the matter as media requests are to be directed to the mayor.
Dunne and Cary did not respond.
Yard was elected during the 2021 municipal election and was named deputy mayor shortly afterwards.
She served as council’s liaison with the volunteer fire department and was a supporter of more funding for the service.
Along with councillors Gerard Dunne, Alex Troake, and Mayor Trevor Croft, Yard voted against increased funding for the Bay Bulls Bauline Athletic Association, a contentious issue that ultimately saw Witless Bay cutting off funding to the group altogether.
A longtime opponent of any development of the back lands off Ragged Beach, Yard fought to establish an environmental reserve and restrict a couple of private landowners from enjoying the full use of their properties.
Back in 2017, prior to landing a seat at the council table, Yard challenged the residency of then Deputy Mayor Fraser Pual, claiming he did not reside in Witless Bay during the required 30-day period leading up the nomination date of his election The court ruled in Yard’s favor.
Richards, meanwhile, was acclaimed to council in August following the resignations of councillors Alex Troake and Nancy Burke.
The resignations of Yard and Richards comes just a few weeks after they participated in a vote to evict rookie councillor Margaret Swain from council for an alleged conflict of interest regarding a vote to establish a Crown Land Reserve at Ragged Beach.
Swain had been acclaimed to council in November.
The resignations, coupled with Swain’s eviction, has reduced council to four members.
Swain had previously indicated to the Irish Loop Post that she would be appealing council’s decision. But when contacted Wednesday about the status of her decision, Swain declined to comment.
The Town has yet to set a by-election date.
