Should Kerry Cook resign as Mayor of Williams Lake?

In the last few days and in light of recent political gaffes coming from WL City Hall - I have heard from some who argue that Kerry Cook should resign as Mayor of Williams Lake for the best interests of the community.

While I can understand their point of view, I will attempt to argue the reasons why Kerry Cook has no real reason to resign at this point....

Firstly, a by-election would cost $25,000 (if she resigned in 2013 and more than one candidate ran in a subsequent by-election but requirement for by-election can be waived by WL City Council if resignation occurs in 2014 as a local general election is held this same year) and I don't believe it would be a wise use of taxpayers' money, considering a full general election is required to be held in roughly a year and a half from now

Secondly - a Mayor or member of a muncipal council must resign (as per Section 110 of the Community Charter) if:

(a) the person does not make the required oath or affirmation of office within the time established by section 120 (1) [oath or affirmation of office];
(b) the person is absent from council meetings for a period of 60 consecutive days or 4 consecutive regularly scheduled council meetings, whichever is the longer time period, unless the absence is because of illness or injury or is with the leave of the council;
(c) the person is disqualified under any of the following:
section 101 [restrictions on participation if in conflict];
section 102 [restrictions on inside influence];
section 103 [restrictions on outside influence];
section 105 [restrictions on accepting gifts];
section 106 [disclosure of gifts];
section 107 [disclosure of contracts];
section 108 [restrictions on use of insider information];
(d) the person is disqualified under section 191 [liabilities for use of money contrary to Act];
(e) the person is disqualified under section 66 (2) [who may hold elected office] of the Local Government Act or section 38 (2) [who may hold elected office] of the Vancouver Charter.

As Mayor Cook has not (and will not, in my view) broken any of the above rules - she does have the full right to help govern the City as Mayor of Williams Lake until next fall.  Some argue that the "old" system of electing half of Council one year and the other half the next year would be a welcome return, we do have the present system and we aren't likely to return to the old voting rules for local gov't anytime soon

Finally - Mayor Cook did win the election in a democratic election in 2011 over two other candidates (Scott Nelson/Walt Cobb) and at this point, failing a voluntary resignation between now and fall of 2014, she has the right to help govern the affairs of the City of Williams Lake as Mayor, notwithstanding the fact that I and other may disagree with her stances of individual topics like the Community Forest and the handling of the hiring of Don DeGagne as CAO for Williams Lake, until the next election (Fall of 2014) when she must decide if she wants a 3rd term as Mayor (I believe that she'll seek it) and it is at that point - voters must decide if she'll get a  3rd term as Mayor of Williams Lake or will voters' dump Cook in favour of another candidate to help govern Williams Lake as Mayor for the 2014-17 term

-- SBF