Taber Mayor Henk De Vlieger resigns, citing “challenges”
TABER – “Council thanks Mr. De Vlieger for his service to the Town and wishes him luck in his future endeavors.” That statement from Taber’s Deputy Mayor Andrew Prokop.
In a Town news release, reasons given for Mayor Henk De Vlieger’s resignation include “desires to contribute to his time elsewhere, and challenges working with Administration.”
De Vlieger and town councillors were hot topics on social media in 2015, after their “Community Standards Bylaw” went into effect, imposing a curfew for minors between 11 pm and 6 am in public, unless specific conditions were met. Fines were also set for those caught spitting, yelling, swearing, loitering or panhandling in public places. Those fines range from $75 to $250 for first offences.
There was also a condition that read, “No person shall be a member of the assembly of three or more persons in any public place where a Peace Officer has reasonable grounds to believe the assembly will disturb the peace of the neighborhood, and any such person shall disperse as requested by a Peace Officer. Anyone who fails to disperse faces a fine of $250.”
More recently, Town Council decided, in a split vote, not to fly the rainbow pride flag for Taber’s Pridefest on June 12th from the flag pole at the entrance to the Administration Building, but to have it flown behind the building in the southeast corner of Confederation Park.
De Vlieger’s resignation became effective yesterday (Apr. 24) evening.
The release also indicates that there remain six dedicated individuals on Council who will continue to be entrusted to make decisions and motions as per their elected duty.
Council will meet May 8 to discuss available options, which may include either holding a by-election, or appointing one Councillor as Chief Elected Official (Mayor).
Lethbridge News Now has called the Town of Taber, but has been told “no further comments will be issued.”
