On Sept. 29, Coun. Scot Reinhardt tendered his resignation to be effect Oct. 1. After 13 years on council, many are shocked and saddened to see him go and during council meeting Oct. 10, no official word was said as to his reasoning but councillor Tammy VanRoon wished him well at his new job.
"I thank former Coun. Reinhardt for his many years of service and I wish him all the best in health and luck at his new job," she said at the end of the meeting.
Coun. Connie Nykyforak thanked Reinhardt for his expert advice for new councillors, saying he taught them through his experience as a councillor.
"He's put 13 years into the community as a councillor. He loves his community. He is passionate about his community. I'm very sad to see him go. I wish him well. I truly appreciate all of the things he has done for the community," said Nykyforak.
Coun. Luc Cyr expressed similar feelings and wished Reinhardt all the best.
"I also wish councillor Reinhardt the very best and I do thank him for all the years he served this community," he said. "I do wish him good health."
Even though he has only been on council for one night, councillor Ed Pearce expressed his gratitude towards Reinhardt.
"I always have respect for anybody who puts themselves forward to serve the public so I too wish former councillor Reinhardt all the best."
Reinhardt's resignation comes two weeks after Candace Martin handed in her resignation from council as well. Mayor Dan Marchisella expressed his gratitude for her hard work and dedication. Martin sat on the committee for Algoma Public Health and left it vacant for Nykyforak to take over.
"I'd like to extend best wishes to Candace Martin," Marchisella said during the council meeting on Sept. 25. "She did work hard on council and on her many committees she was on. She was very diligent and it takes a lot of time and a lot of work to sit on a seat as council. I wish Ms. Martin the best in the future."
ElliotLakeToday.com has reached out to both Martin and Reinhardt, but did not receive comment from either on their resignations.
Pearce was sworn in as Martin's replacement Tuesday and with Reinhardt's seat now available, council followed tradition and offered the seat to the next eligible person who obtained the most votes. Kevin Kucey was offered the seat and asked council if he could take the next few council meetings to think about the decision. Council agreed.