The Town of Killam held a Nomination Day on Monday, March 18, to accept nominations for the position of Mayor. The initial unofficial results indicated that two nominations had been filed, however, one of those was rescinded early Tuesday, March 19. This resulted in the remaining candidate, Roger Obrigewitch, being elected to the position by acclamation. No byelection will be necessary.
Obrigewitch will be sworn in at the next meeting of Council; the next regular meeting is scheduled for April 18.
“I’m looking forward to working with Council and administration and hope that we can move forward and revitalize Killam for the future,” Obrigewitch says.
This is his first time holding an elected position in municipal government. He and his wife Dawn have lived in Killam since 2016 and he has experience serving in various community organizations in executive positions, he says.
The withdrawn nomination came from current Killam Councillor Rick Krys.
The Town of Killam issued a statement early Tuesday saying, “Rick Krys has withdrawn his nomination papers for Mayor.”
It continued; “Kim Borgel, CAO/ Returning Officer of the Town of Killam provided Rick with incorrect advice on the timeline for handing in his resignation prior to Nomination Day.
“CAO Borgel’s advice was to have the resignation handed in at least the day before Nomination Day, however this timeline is for employees only.
“In accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act, Section 23(2)(b) A member of an elected authority must resign at least 18 days prior to Nomination Day.”
Borgel advised that since Krys’ resignation was specifically contingent on his nomination papers being filed, she then deemed the resignation invalid.
This is not without precedent with other Alberta municipalities, she says.
Borgel thoroughly reviewed the regulations and similar situations and decisions through Alberta Municipal Affairs before taking this action, she advises.
While returning officers have no obligation to vet nominations filed under the Local Authorities Election Act, Borgel says she takes full responsibility for the mixup.
“I’m so sorry for misinforming Rick and I take full responsibility for the error. I was using the timeline for employees and did not realize that it was different for elected officials. Again, I apologize for my mistake.”
Leslie Cholowsky
Editor