Justina Nawaz, the newest member of Witless Bay council, was sworn in last week at the Town Hall by CAO Jennifer Aspell. Nawaz, who was acclaimed to council last month, was joined by members of her family for the occasion. Town of Witless Bay Photo
By Mark Squibb
Witless Bay council held a special meeting Monday night to request approval from the Province to delay this weeks by-election.
Councillor Jacob Hayden moved that council request ministerial approval to delay the by-election, which had been scheduled for June 5, until July 24, with a new nomination day to be held on July 3.
Council had held a nomination day on May 15 in the hopes of filling two of three vacant council seats.
Justina Nawaz was the lone candidate to step forward and was acclaimed to council, leaving one seat up for grabs but no more candidates to fight over it, thus nullifying the need for the June 5 by-election.
A third vacant seat, held formerly by Margaret Swain, can remain vacant until February 2025, the Department of Municipal Affairs has ruled, as Swain is appealing her dismissal from council earlier this year.
Nawaz, meanwhile, was sworn in at the Town Hall on Wednesday, May 29. Monday’s special meeting, which lasted just under two minutes, was her first public meeting since being acclaimed.
Council also has yet to name a new deputy mayor, following the resignation of former Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard back in March.
A date for the next public meeting has not yet been set.
