Deputy reeve taking M.D. reins during provincial election

By J.W. Schnarr
Taber Times
jwschnarr@tabertimes.com

With current Reeve Brian Brewin stepping away from municipal politics in a bid to run for Cardston-Taber-Warner MLA, Deputy Reeve Dwight Tolton has moved into the role of acting reeve.

“It’s a tough pair of shoes to fill,” Tolton said. “(Brewin) has been an excellent reeve. But I’m very fortunate because I have a fantastic council, and an excellent staff. It really hasn’t been a giant change, it just is what needs to be done.”

As the acting Reeve, Tolton will be charged with running council meetings as well as being a point of contact should certain issues arise. As the deputy reeve for the past two years, he said he has been given plenty of opportunities to see how the job is done.

Brewin’s leave of absence extends to May 5, the day of the provincial election. This means that he will miss at least two council meetings.

In the event that Brewin was to win his provincial seat, he would be forced to resign his municipal position. Tolton said it was likely Division 3 residents would then see a by-election in order to find a new representative. He said he would expect council to decide on a new reeve and deputy reeve following the by-election.

“That would be the fairest way,” he said.

In the meantime, Division 3 residents will have Division 1 Coun. Merrill Harris and Division 2 Coun. Tom Machacek looking after their interests and concerns on council, at least until after the election.
Tolton said for now, it’s business as usual for the M.D. council.

“We don’t like that closed meeting stuff,” he said. “If we’ve got something to say, we’ll say it.”
“I don’t see anything changing,” he added. “It’s the same group, it’s just minus one.”

“We’re just going to do the best we can to represent the M.D. of Taber.”