Spaniard’s Bay loses its mayor

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Olivia Bradbury

Spaniard’s Bay Mayor Tammy Oliver resigned from her position on October 23, making her the third member of council to quit since June.

In a meeting on October 26, councillor Darlene Stamp, who lost the mayoral election to Oliver last year during the general municipal election, was named the new mayor, though it took a circuitous route to get there.

“We can have a by-election for a mayor, and the deputy mayor will reign in the seat until after that election,” said Deputy Mayor Sherry Lundrigan. “We can also vote a mayor among councillors in our chambers by nomination.”

Councillor Terry Sheppard, who attended the meeting via phone call, made a motion to have a by-election. Councillor Darren Smith, also attending by phone, seconded the motion. However, Lundrigan, Stamp, and councillor Debbie Newman voted against that idea, and the motion was defeated.

“Because of that, we’re going to have to go to nominations for someone to be mayor within the council chambers,” said Lundrigan. “So do I have any nominations for mayor?”

Smith nominated Sheppard for mayor, but Sheppard did not accept the nomination. No other nominations came forward.

“You guys, councillor Newman and councillor Stamp, you should just nominate one another and go to a special ballot,” said Lundrigan. “Unless councillor Smith wants to be nominated for mayor.”

Despite Lundrigan’s suggestion, no more nominations were put forward.

“Well, if that’s the case, if no one’s going to be nominated, we’re going to have to postpone it and do it another night until people are ready to either nominate or go outside,” said Lundrigan.

Town manager Vanessa Higgins told Lundrigan that an acting or temporary mayor retains their full right as an elected councillor, which includes the power to nominate someone for mayor. Hearing this, Lundrigan nominated Stamp. No more nominations were put forward, and Stamp was officially declared mayor of Spaniard’s Bay.

A by-election had already been scheduled to fill the empty seat left after councillor Ann Marie Singleton’s resignation. With two empty seats to be filled now, the election has been postponed. Nomination day will be on November 9. The advanced poll will take place on December 5, and the by-election will be held on December 8.