Deputy Mayor Sheppard steps down in Spaniard’s Bay

By Olivia Bradbury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Spaniard’s Bay town council was taken by surprise when Deputy Mayor Gerald Sheppard suddenly announced his resignation at the June 9th meeting.
Sheppard, who was elected last year, made the announcement towards the end of the meeting, during the time in which council members can share other business before adjournment. He then promptly gave his letter of resignation to Mayor Tammy Oliver.
“It has been a privilege to serve on council and advocate for the town’s residents,” said Sheppard. “Due to recent events and decisions of council, I feel I am no longer able to accomplish what this position requires. Thank you to the residents and voters of the Town of Spaniard’s Bay for the wonderful opportunity to represent them.”
While the deputy mayor did not specify what “recent events and decisions” he was referring to, the last several town council meetings have seen members butt heads over certain decisions, or the steps taken to arrive at a decision.
Most, if not all, of Sheppard’s fellow council members seemed taken aback by his resignation. Even Mayor Oliver had not been aware he would be resigning that night. She expressed regret that they had not been able to have a discussion about it beforehand.
Councillor Terry Sheppard, a relative of deputy mayor Sheppard and another council member elected in the 2025 municipal election, shared his grievances s well.
“I have also had to seriously reflect on the value I can bring to the current environment and how effective I can be given the way the council’s operating,” said councillor Sheppard. “While I continue to serve—and I’m going to serve for the time being—there’s got to be significant changes in the way we conduct business. Current approach is not working, it’s not acceptable if we expect to serve the community effectively. So, I just want to throw it out there. It’s getting frustrating at times. I hope we can work together better than what we have been doing.”