Len Phillips has been appointed as Acting Mayor for the Town of Rocky Mountain House for the remainder of the current council’s term.

The appointment, which was decided by secret ballot from councillors, became official during the October 15, 2024 Organizational Meeting of Council.

Back in September, the town received an exemption from Municipal Affairs from holding an otherwise required by-election to fill the seat left vacant by former mayor Debbie Baich.

Upon receiving the exemption, CAO Dean Krause explained, it was then essentially up to council’s discretion on how to proceed.

Council could opt to keep the current deputy mayor schedule with three different members severing as acting mayor for the remainder of the term, or appoint one person to be acting mayor.

Phillips supported the idea of having one, static person to fill the office.

“We should have someone at this role for the next 12 months,” says Phillips. “The Deputy Mayor’s schedule has always been meant to be underneath a mayor. So the mayor is always consistent on the top, the deputy mayor’s schedule rotates underneath that.”

Councillor Tina Hutchinson opposed the idea.

“Unfortunately, we’re put in this position because the mayor resigned,” says Hutchinson. “So regardless of how that person is appointed as acting mayor in the next year, I’ll say, we will not have a, for lack of better words, a true mayor.”

Hutchinson also said the act of council voting amongst itself would not reflect well on council from a public perception standpoint.

Phillips, Hutchinson, as well as Acting Mayor Marley Capraro all put their names forward to be considered.

In throwing her name in the hat, Hutchinson pointed out that she was scheduled for the final, March to October 2025 deputy mayor position anyway.

Councillor Dale Shippelt added that he believes it’s important for whoever fills the role to be someone who wants it, not someone who’s “forced into it” by the deputy mayor schedule.

Upon receiving the most votes in the secret ballot, Phillips will fill the acting mayor position October 15, 2024 through to the next general municipal election in October 2025.

As his first official act as acting mayor, Phillips expressed appreciation to Marley Caparro for the “exceptional job” she did as Acting Mayor.

Councillor Dale Shippelt will assume the role of deputy mayor for a truncated term to run from Nov 1. 2024 to Feb 28. 2025.

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RELATED: 

• Debbie Baich resigns as mayor of Rocky Mountain House
• Town of Rocky Mountain House granted by-election exemption
• Capraro becomes acting mayor, council to discuss deputy mayor appointments, possible byelection
• Ken Moesker becomes deputy mayor, Town to request by-election exemption
• Marley Capraro to serve additional four months as Rocky Mountain House deputy mayor

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