(Submitted photo/ Paul Rybka)

By Nigel Maxwell

Municipal politics

Former Reeve responds to questions surrounding resignation

May 15, 2019 | 5:26 PM

For just over five months, questions have been unanswered regarding the resignation and alleged actions of the former Reeve for the Rural Municipality (R,.M.) of Prince Albert.

In his first interview since resigning last December, Paul Rybka claimed he did nothing wrong. Rybka is seeking the position again in next month’s byelection.

“As I have served on the council for the R.M. of P.A., I have never taken any bribes, moneys or gifts to reward myself for anything that I did as a member of the R.M. council,” he told paNOW.

According to a statement read at the R.M.’s council meeting last December, a third party investigator found Rybka engaged in conduct contrary to Bylaw 15 in the R.M.’s code of ethics, which prohibits a reeve from using his position to obtain a private benefit in the form of a loan or line of credit. At that time the R.M. refused to comment further.

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When asked by paNOW to elaborate on what happened to force his resignation, Rybka said the incident stemmed from a comment he made to a resident, who lives outside the R.M.

“It comes down to a complaint was made that I used a phrase and that’s all it was. You want to talk about something that was completely blown out of proportion, this is what it was,” Rybka said.

In response to Rybka’s resignation, a byelection was called and he’s now one of three men vying for the position. He said had he been found guilty of anything, the Municipal Act clearly states he would not have been allowed to run.

“The proof is in the pudding by me submitting my name and it being witnessed and accepted that nothing was done wrong,” he said.

Rybka’s campaign

Rybka has over 13 years’ experience in municipal politics. When asked why he decided to toss his name back in the hat, Rybka said he had received many phone calls from rate payers, asking him to run. In regards to what issues are most important to him, Rybka said he would like to continue rebuilding all the R.M.’s old, small roads, adding they were never meant for the super large farm equipment that exist today.

“I am a firm believer in the expansion of the R.M. and making it a better, safer place but we have to control the tax burden of the rate payers, we just can’t keep taxing them to death,” he said.

The other two candidates in next month’s byelection are Doug Phelps and Eric Schmalz. The byelection has been scheduled for June 12, with advance polls on June 8.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell