Brett Smyth and Mayor Peter Jones have clashed over the evaluate course of for the district’s official group plan
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A North Saanich councillor has resigned after referring to the mayor as “Mr. Hitler” in a council assembly final week.
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The municipality says Brett Smyth’s resignation is efficient instantly.
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Smyth was first elected in 2018 and re-elected Oct. 15.
A byelection will probably be held to fill the vacant seat, however a date has not but been set by the district.
Smyth and new Mayor Peter Jones have clashed over the evaluate course of for the district’s official group plan. Their disagreements, a part of a wider rift throughout the council, got here to a head throughout a council assembly final Monday.
Throughout a dialogue concerning the mayor’s advisory committee on the official group plan, Coun. Phil DiBattista requested Jones if the CVs of members on the committee could be revealed.
“That isn’t going to occur,” Jones responded, saying the members “are extraordinarily well-known” to many in the neighborhood as a result of most are presently or have beforehand sat on metropolis commissions.
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Smyth instructed Jones he was disillusioned in that call, saying the mayor can do no matter he needs as a result of he has arrange the committee “in a really political means.”
Jones requested Smyth to chorus from making his feedback. “It’s not a political strategy. It’s a sensible strategy to getting the brand new model of the OCP carried out,” he stated.
“I can’t chorus from one thing that’s the reality,” Smyth responded.
When Jones stated he wouldn’t take any additional questions from council, Smyth replied: “Thanks, Mr. Hitler.”
Smyth stated Monday he’s not able to touch upon his determination.
In an interview, Jones stated he was shocked and disillusioned by Smyth’s resignation.
Jones stated he understands there was strain coming from some residents for Smyth to resign after his off-handed remark, however he didn’t assume it was vital.
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“My view is we’ve all made inappropriate feedback over our lives and will one remark change your life going ahead? I might say no. So, do I want he was nonetheless going to be on council? The reply to that needs to be sure,” Jones stated.
John Treleaven, chair of Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Higher Victoria, stated North Saanich, although sparsely populated is house to the airport, the B.C. Ferries Swartz Bay terminal and about half of the manufacturing jobs within the area, making it “vastly vital” to the financial success of the area.
“That’s why this concern issues. The well being of the council and the management from that council issues,” he stated.
Treleaven stated residents need to know why Smyth resigned and appears ahead to listening to his causes.
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The OCP evaluate course of has polarized residents, with some open to growth and others wanting to maintain the district rural.
A consulting firm engaged on the OCP evaluate just lately lower ties with the district, saying the mayor’s advisory committee includes council members and people who seem to symbolize a one-sided perspective in the neighborhood.
regan-elliott@timescolonist.com
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