Voters in Elbow will be heading to the polls in October to elect a new mayor following the resignation of William Nike late last month.

According to the minutes at the July 25 special meeting of Elbow Village council the last act Nike undertook as mayor before resigning was outlining the abusive and aggressive behaviour towards village staff members that took place during the week of July 15 to 19. After handing in his resignation and leaving council chambers shortly afterwards, the first decision Elbow council passed was a policy that aggressive and abusive behaviour would not be tolerated towards village staff and a notice of this policy would be placed in the village office, shop and on the village website.

Colleen Hoppenreys, acting mayor of Elbow, said it is with great regret that council had to accept Nike’s resignation. She said Nike’s time on village council first as a councillor and then as mayor was never connected with individual gain.

“He was there for the village and wanted the best for the village,” said Hoppenreys. “He was always trying to improve things here.”

Hoppenreys could not comment on what policy changes made by council that prompted the threats, but said no other members of council were subject to the abusive behaviour exhibited by some ratepayers.

“I think if you try to make changes, they’re just not happy about some of the changes,” she said. “I think that is what really brought this on. I think it’s more just verbal abuse and changing our policies that is not acceptable here.”

Yvonne Jess, chief administrative officer of Elbow, said the threatening behaviour by ratepayers towards Nike, his wife and village staff members occurred in the office, the village shop and in the evening when the mayor was out in public. She said the RCMP is currently collecting statements from people in the village about the matter and could not comment further on what happened.

To read more please see the Aug. 26 print edition of The Davidson Leader.