Who is popular today?

The three remaining councillors in Sayward were set to select a third mayor in a matter of weeks at a meeting Tuesday night, a task made necessary by the back-to-back resignations of elected mayor John MacDonald and Joyce Ellis, his acting replacement.
Remaining on what should be a five-person council in the community of 311, about 75 kilometres north of Campbell River, are Bill Ives, Norm Kirschner and Wesley Cragg.
MacDonald, a 12-year mayor, was acclaimed to the position in 2008 and 2018 and is the longest-serving member of council since Sayward’s incorporation in 1968.
“The Village of Sayward is in reasonably good shape, having secured funding for the water-diversion project and the new water-treatment plant,” he said in a statement announcing his March 13 resignation. “I feel it is now time to move on to enjoying my retirement with my family and friends.
“I will, of course, continue to be a member of our great little community.”
Ellis, who served on council for six years, submitted her resignation March 19. She pointed to personal circumstances and a need to focus on her family and her health.
That was followed by the departure of chief administrative officer/chief financial officer Lisa Clark, who resigned shortly after Ellis.
The situation is “absolutely” out of the ordinary, said Coun. Bill Ives.
“I would suggest it is very much unusual, something you probably wouldn’t see — very, very, very rarely.”
He said the Ministry of Municipal Affairs was due to have representation over the phone at the Tuesday meeting. Ives said the idea is to appoint an acting mayor “until such time as we can hold an election.”
He said there won’t be an election until after the COVID-19 situation changes.
Having a mayor in place will make a difference in the village, Ives said.
“It’ll help because then we can pass our fourth reading of our budget and send it off to the government, as is required by the 15th of May.”
That might even be done Tuesday night, he said.
He said Sayward is functioning well right now, and the three remaining councillors are more than prepared to take on the business of the village.
“No problem at all.”
Ives issued a statement Monday saying that council will not be making any major decisions until after a mayor is elected.
jwbell@timescolonist.com