By Patrick Burles - @Patrick Burles on Twitter

Vulcan County Reeve Resigns, Calls Council “Extremely Dysfunctional”

Aug 5, 2016 | 4:12 PM

VULCAN – After 18-years of service with Vulcan County, Reeve Rod Ruark resigned this week, making the statement that county council, “Has grown to be extremely dysfunctional.”

Following the move, Ruark released an open letter to council, saying the group started butting heads shortly after the election. He explained that the group hasn’t been able to work together or support the decisions of the majority, and that when he tried to make council follow government rules it caused conflicts.

“Things have finally come to a head and I can no longer just sit by and support decisions and actions that I believe are hurting staff and ratepayers in this county,” stated Ruark. “As Reeve it is my job to support the direction that the majority of council want to go, but I can no longer pretend I support what has been happening in these council chambers. Therefore I am stepping down as Reeve.”

Ruark did take time to thank county staff for their work, also noting that several councillors tried their best to support his efforts to improve county operations.

He added that he wasn’t the first to try and make changes, saying previous Reeve, Derrick Annable, stepped down last October after failing to get council to work together.

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“I took over from him in hopes that I could accomplish what he had been trying to do. I also failed. It’s like banging my head against a wall.”

Council is expected to make a decision on how they will proceed at their next meeting on August 17.

Ruark’s full letter to council:

Open letter to council

It has become apparent over the last 2 1/2 years that this council has grown to be extremely dysfunctional. Council is supposed to work as a cohesive unit and is supposed to support the decisions of the majority. That hasn’t happened. I have been trying to make council follow government rules, and that is clearly causing conflicts.  I’ve requested council change the rules they don’t like, but nothing has happened.

Things have finally come to a head and I can no longer just sit by and support decisions and actions that I believe are hurting staff and ratepayers in this county.

As Reeve it is my job to support the direction that the majority of council want to go, but I can no longer pretend I support what has been happening in these Council Chambers. Therefore I am stepping down as Reeve.

I would like to thank all the staff for the great work that they do. I would also like to thank those councillors that have tried their best to support my efforts to improve this County in a legal and ethical manner, with the best interest of our community at heart.

It is with deep regret that after almost 18 years of service I am also tendering my resignation as a councillor for Vulcan County.

Rod Ruark