Blind River council will fill a vacant seat after Councillor Clifford Spratt died, losing his battle with cancer on Aug. 3.
The councillor was in his second term of office having been elected for the 2014-2018 term and re-elected to a second term in last year’s municipal election.
He was known for his outspoken nature and “boisterous” character when dealing with council matters.
Coun. Spratt also served as the town representative as the chair of the Blind River Development Corporation, ELNOS representative, member of the North Shore Power Group board, Chamber of Commerce, Huron Pines Golf Course board and the Festivals Committee.
At its meeting Monday evening, council discussed how to replace his vacant council position.
“We will always remember with fondness Cliff’s boisterous voice and his unique way of looking at situations,” Mayor Sally Hagman said in her address to council and the public attending the meeting.
Council took a moment to “reflect on the life of our friend and colleague Clifford Norman Spratt,” the mayor said suggested.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with his wife Diane, his children Bruce and Laurie and their families. A celebration of Cliff’s life will be taking place on Aug. 31 at 5977 Highway 557, Bearhead Lake from 1 to 3 p.m.,” the mayor said.
The town will now take applications from residents interested in applying to fill the position with council making a closed meeting decision on the resident chosen. The procedure could take 60 days to complete.
Later during the meeting Coun. Betty Ann Dunbar was appointed as the town’s replacement member on the ELNOS board.