Seymour steps up as acting mayor in Bay Roberts

By Olivia Bradbury/Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Bay Roberts Mayor Walter Yetman has taken a leave of absence from town council duties now that he is officially the Progressive Conservative Party’s candidate for the district of Harbour Grace – Port-de-Grave in the next provincial election.

Yetman made the announcement at the end of council’s last public meeting on January 21.

The move will allow Yetman, a building contractor and father of two, to concentrate on the coming election, which Premier and Liberal Party Leader Andrew Furey has said will be called sometime this year.

“I’ll be taking an official leave of absence from my position of mayor of Bay Roberts after this meeting this evening,” said Yetman.

The length of Yetman’s leave is undetermined but could be for good if he manages to defeat the district’s thrice-elected Liberal incumbent and provincial cabinet minister Pam Parsons. Yetman admitted he didn’t know if a longer period of notice is needed for his leave.

“If you require (more) time, I will have to come up with a time period for you,” he told his fellow council members.

Yetman went on to express his gratitude to council, Town staff, and the members of Bay Roberts Fire Rescue. “We have done tremendous work here as a council,” said Yetman. “I thank all of you for your commitment to municipal work. I also want to thank our staff and our fire department for everything that they do every day to support our community.”

Councillor Dean Franey said Yetman was doing the right thing by taking a leave of absence from his council duties while he campaigns for the provincial seat.

“It’s going to be hard to put the time and effort into both and do the job effectively,” Franey allowed, wishing Yetman good luck with his campaign

Yetman thanked Franey for acknowledging the decision.

“I cannot be in this position and do this other work as well,” Yetman said. “I just can’t do that. It’s not fair to the residents. So, it’s respect for the position and also for myself to go and do my work properly.”

Deputy Mayor Geoff Seymour will take on the mayoral duties in Yetman’s absence.