Photo by Photo Submitted
Former Mayor Cheryl O’Brien Photo courtesy TOWN OF WATSON LAKE
Watson Lake town council OKs ex-mayor’s resignation
The town council for Watson Lake has formerly accepted the resignation of former mayor Cheryl O’Brien.
The town council for Watson Lake has formally accepted the resignation of former mayor Cheryl O’Brien.
O’Brien, 47, tendered her resignation last Thursday morning, the same day she was charged with defrauding the Watson Lake Riding Association of more than $5,000.
Watson Lake CAO Cam Lockwood told the Star this morning the resignation came into effect when it was received first thing Thursday morning.
The council held a meeting Sunday night to officially accept the resignation, he said.
Lockwood said a byelection to fill the vacancy is required under the Municipal Act.
The act states the town must put out a call for nominations no sooner than 30 days after the resignation and no later than 45 days after, he explained.
Lockwood said they have not set a date for the byelection but will have one before the call for nominations goes out so that potential candidates will know when it is.
O’Brien’s resignation had nothing to do with the affairs of Watson Lake and was personal in nature, he said.
Lockwood said deputy mayor Christopher Irvine will fulfill the duties of mayor until a new mayor is elected.
In addition to the charge of defrauding the riding association of over $5,000 between May 20 and July 29, O’Brien is also charged with making false documents out – cheques payable to herself at the expense of the non-profit horse riding club.
O’Brien was elected to her first term as mayor in October 2018.
She is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 6 to face the charges.
The next general election for municipalities in the Yukon is scheduled for October 2021.
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Comments (5)
Up 21 Down 2
Mike on Aug 11, 2020 at 12:23 pm
Cheryl had a history of this behavior prior to being elected. Anyone thinking that she is the only person in the town council filling their coffers is either blind or have accepted this behavior as normal. How about a forensic audit on the town books and let the town get the cleansing that it needs.
Up 17 Down 12
Ollie on Aug 11, 2020 at 4:46 am
Perhaps the former 'Your worship' was taking the lead from the National non-elected person who thought it was good practice just to help himself and tell the party later if they asked.
This happens quite regularly within the conservative ranks.
Up 15 Down 2
Frau D. on Aug 10, 2020 at 6:38 pm
FFS - Was it unanimous?
Up 24 Down 2
Rob on Aug 10, 2020 at 6:32 pm
“ O’Brien’s resignation had nothing to do with the affairs of Watson Lake and was personal in nature“ B.S! If she wouldn’t have got caught with her hand in the cookie jar she would have kept this up! Greasy as heck....steal people’s hard earned money. Nothing worse than I theft.
Up 3 Down 28
Nathan Living on Aug 10, 2020 at 4:06 pm
Cheryl made a mistake but she is apparently a good person and was a great mayor.
Compassion please.