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Brett Smyth and Mayor Peter Jones have clashed over the assessment 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 might 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 assessment 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’s not going to occur,” Jones responded, saying the members “are extraordinarily well-known” to many locally as a result of most are presently or have beforehand sat on metropolis commissions.
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Smyth informed 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 isn’t a political method. It’s a sensible method to getting the brand new model of the OCP performed,” he mentioned.
“I can not chorus from one thing that’s the fact,” Smyth responded.
When Jones mentioned he wouldn’t take any additional questions from council, Smyth replied: “Thanks, Mr. Hitler.”
Smyth mentioned Monday he’s not able to touch upon his resolution.
In an interview, Jones mentioned he was shocked and disillusioned by Smyth’s resignation.
Jones mentioned he understands there was stress coming from some residents for Smyth to resign after his off-handed remark, however he didn’t suppose it was obligatory.
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“My view is we’ve all made inappropriate feedback over our lives and may one remark change your life going ahead? I’d say no. So, do I want he was nonetheless going to be on council? The reply to that must be sure,” Jones mentioned.
John Treleaven, chair of Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Larger Victoria, mentioned North Saanich, although sparsely populated is dwelling 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 mentioned.
Treleaven mentioned residents need to know why Smyth resigned and appears ahead to listening to his causes.
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The OCP assessment 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 assessment not too long ago reduce ties with the district, saying the mayor’s advisory committee includes council members and people who seem to characterize a one-sided perspective locally.
regan-elliott@timescolonist.com
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