By Nigel Maxwell

P.A-area Reeve found guilty of misconduct

Dec 13, 2018 | 4:00 PM

The Rural Municipality (RM) of Prince Albert has been forced to hold a byelection, as a result of the findings of a third party investigator into the actions of now former Reeve Paul Rybka.

Questions have been swirling since Rybka’s position was given to Deputy Reeve Richard Wilson during the council’s Oct. 11 meeting. The minutes from the meeting showed Regina Lawyer Neil Robertson had been appointed to investigate a third-party concern received in relation to an elected member of council. During the council’s Thursday meeting, following a nearly one hour non-public session, Wilson read a brief statement indicating council had heard back from the investigator.

“That report found that Paul Rybka did engage in conduct contrary to the code of ethics adopted by the RM Bylaw 15 of 2016 by attempting to use his position as a Reeve to obtain a private benefit in the form of a loan or line of credit. Reeve Rybka has had a chance to review the report and Reeve Rybka has tendered his resignation as Reeve,” Wilson said. 

paNOW has attempted to reach out to Robertson for comment and was given a statement.

“I regret I cannot do so. Lawyers are bound by professional ethics to keep client’s confidences, including the identity of clients.  So if I had been engaged to provide legal services, I could neither confirm nor deny that,” he said.

Sentencing adjourned

Sentencing decision reserved for La Ronge manslaughter case

4h ago

Missing persons

11-year-old girl reported missing

5h ago

BDO Debt Solutions

Addressing the Rising Cost of Living in Saskatchewan: A Guide for Residents Facing Financial Pressure

6h ago

When approached for comment Thursday, R.M. Administrator Roxanne Roy told paNOW the byelection date would be discussed at their next meeting in January..

“Council will then make a decision on when to re-elect for a new Reeve,” she said.

Roy said she could not elaborate on the initial complaint, or what was discussed during the in-camera session.

“Unfortunately when we do our in camera sessions, the information is stayed in there, that’s the purpose of having an in-camera session,” she said.

paNOW has made several attempts over the past week to get a comment from Rybka, but calls have not been returned.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell