In a letter to the county's interim CAO Shadia Amblie, Langevin criticized council for interfering in the County's day-to-day affairs, making decisions "in the absence of all council members" and not treating administration with dignity and respect.
Lac La Biche County Mayor Aurel Langevin has resigned, citing ideological differences from Council.
In a May 6 letter addressed to the county's interim Chief Administrative Officer Shadia Amblie, Langevin criticized council for interfering in the County's day-to-day affairs, making decisions "in the absence of all council members" and not treating administration with dignity and respect.
"At the beginning of my term I firmly believed that these issues could be overcome, but unfortunately I do not see that now or in the forseeable future things may change," Langevin wrote in the letter, a copy of which was received by the POST. "I realize that my departure will require a by-election and for this I apologize. I thank the residents of Lac La Biche County for allowing me to serve you for the last three-and-a-half years and wish that under different circumstances it could have been longer."
The mayor's instant departure is the third high-profile staffing change at the County this year, with CAO Roy Brideau being fired without cause in February, interim assistant CAO Nancy Broadbent quitting April 17 and the first interim CAO, Jeff Lawrence, stepping down on April 22. All of those changes occured during the County's lengthy budgeting process, which began in December and did not finish until April 25.
Reaction from some councillors has been muted, with many declining comment.
"I just wish him well," said Ward 5 councilor M.J. Siebold.
"We wish everybody the best in whatever they decide to do," said Rick Olson, who represents Ward 3.
Ward 7 Councillor John Nowak, however, criticized the letter.
"I really don't like the way that Council's conduct has been brought into question in this matter, I think it's very petty," Nowak said. "I would definitely disagree with most of the comments that were made there... if people feel that myself or any other councillors have stepped on any toes, I'm sorry, but that is the role of council."
Current Deputy Mayor Robert Richard will now serve as the Acting Mayor until a by-election to replace Langevin, which must be conducted in the next 90 days, can be held.
“We wish Mr. Langevin all the best and thank him for his dedicated years of public service,” Richard said in a press release.
Langevin was first elected as mayor in September 2012 in a by-election after former mayor Peter Kirylchuk retired in the middle of his term, and re-elected last October with 1,195 votes, 56 more votes than challenger Gail Broadbent-Ludwig.
With files from Alex Fuller
