By Mark Squibb | July 23, 2020
The Town of Witless Bay is waiting it out before holding a by-election to fill the seat left vacant by former councillor Lucy Carew, citing safety concerns and COVID-19 regulations.
“By-elections are permitted under Alert Level 2, as long as public health measures are followed, such as social distancing and appropriate hygiene. However, councils are still recommended to do their meetings by video and teleconference. So, council presently has six members. And I’m not comfortable subjecting staff and residents to the possibility of this very serious virus. This is not warranted at this time,” said deputy mayor Maureen Murphy during the July 14 meeting public council meeting.
She added that there are also limits on how many people can be gathered together publicly at one time.
Murphy made the motion that Mayor Derm Moran contact Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment Derrick Bragg to request an extension on the by-election until further notice.
The motion was approved unanimously.
The town council has seen some significant changes over the last year or so with a number of councillors coming and going.
The latest to join council was Dale O’ Driscoll, who was acclaimed to council in November of 2019, following the retirement of former mayor Rene Estrade due to health reasons.
Upon Estrada’s retirement, council voted in Moran, who was the town’s former mayor. Moran, along with David Ryan, were elected to council on Oct. 9, following the resignation of former councillors Chris Brinston and Neil Stratton.
Carew resigned on May 15. No specific reason for the resignation was given to council. Her vacant seat will be the fourth such seat since August, 2019.
