The Township of Brock has announced that Mayor Walter Schummer has officially resigned, effective immediately. The announcement was made through a written letter to the clerk and a social media post shared on Monday, May 26.
Schummer called the decision “the most difficult decision of his life”, stating it was made “with the best interest of the municipality and his health in mind”. He acknowledged that “the issues in his life have been ongoing for some time and it is taking a toll on him which has caused him to not be the kind of mayor the residents of the township expect and deserve”.
In accordance with the Municipal Act and the Province of Ontario’s strong mayor legislation, a by-election is required to fill the vacancy. Council is expected to declare the mayor’s office vacant at its next meeting on June 9, and pass a by-law to initiate a by-election. Following the passage of the by-law, a nomination period of between 30 and 60 days will begin, with a by-election to be held 45 days after that. A new mayor is anticipated to be in place sometime in September.
Mike Jubb is Acting Mayor
Until then, Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor Mike Jubb will assume the role and responsibility of presiding as chair during council meetings.
Chief Administrative Officer Michelle Willson responded to the announcement, saying: “I want to thank Mayor Schummer for his years of dedication to council, staff, and the residents of Brock. On a more personal note, I want to thank him for his support and guidance over the past 18 months. His kindness, patience, and advice have meant a lot to me during my transition into the CAO role.”
Willson also reassured residents that “our leadership team is committed to ensuring that the important work of the municipality continues uninterrupted during this transitional period”.
The Township of Brock will continue to provide updates and ensure that the public remains informed of all important decisions and milestone dates related to filling the Mayor’s seat.
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