Birch Hills Town Office. (Submitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community events

Candidates finalized for Birch Hills byelection

Oct 16, 2021 | 8:00 AM

In just over a month, residents of Birch Hills will head to the polls to elect a new mayor and one new councilor.

The nomination was held Wednesday and the list of candidates was finalized Thursday at 4 p.m. The three mayoral candidates are John Herd, Stewart Adams and current councillor Lyle Evans.

The two people vying for the vacant council seat are Barry Evans and Kathy Evans.

The byelection was needed following the resignations last July of both Randy Wojcichowsky and longtime administrator Tara Gariepy. Councilor Shannon Simpso followed suit in August.

When interviewed by paNOW, Wojcichowsky said he was exposed to harassment, bullying and even threats from fellow community members. When asked to elaborate, he claimed he was receiving text messages and emails at all hours of the day requesting private meetings.

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And prior to council meetings, he said he was receiving packages at his private residence, containing information he claimed was designed to sway his vote and provide a private citizen with some sort of gain.

“I think people thought with a newly elected council we would just open up our cheque book and give people what they wanted,’” he said.

Simpso also recalled being exposed to harassment from both council and community members, and said it was the reason why he shut down his bakery and resigned from council.

The byelection has been scheduled for Nov. 17.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell