LAC LA BICHE - Ward 1 Coun. Darlene Beniuk was removed from her committee appointments at the May 27 meeting of Lac La Biche County Council, following a closed session discussion.
Beniuk has been charged with uttering threats and unauthorized possession of a firearm and is expected in court July 21.
Beniuk served on the Agricultural Appeals, Agricultural Services Board, Veterinary Services Incorporated, Lac La Biche County Library Board, Municipal Planning Commission, Greater North Foundation, Lakeland Interpretive Society, and Northern Lights Library System.
The motion to rescind Beniuk’s appointments carried 6-2, with Beniuk and Ward 3 Coun. Colette Borgun voting against.
At the June 3 meeting, council voted to defer appointments to the June 10 meeting of council.
Deputy Mayor Jason Stedman said he felt it was unfair to put a councillor in to some of the now vacant committees with only a few months left until the fall municipal election.
“If there is a councillor on these boards already that is well informed, caught up and able to kind of carry the weight for what sounds like a couple meetings. For some of them, I’d be open to leaving it as is. If these committees are wanting or needing a councillor because of quorum, by all means I think we should fill it,” said Stedman. His remarks were echoed by Borgun and Mayor Paul Reutov.
Ward 6 Coun. Sterling Johnson said he would like to see the vacancy on the Ag Services Board filled, noting the board only has five members and could have difficulty meeting quorum. Ward 2 Coun. Kevin Paré volunteered to sit on the board.
All other potential appointments were deferred to the June 10 meeting.
