Quispamsis Mayor Returns From Suspension

Gary Clark has returned to the Quispamsis council chambers after a five-week suspension.

Clark was suspended by his council colleagues on Oct. 1 for breaching their code of conduct.

An investigation found he misidentified himself to get into the qplex pool for free on July 18.

After Tuesday night’s meeting — his first since the suspension — Clark was asked why he made that decision.

“People make mistakes, we’re all human and it’s part of life,” said Clark.

“Unfortunately, I made a mistake and you learn from those things and you reflect on them and you move forward.”

A Look At The Investigation

An investigation by the town’s chief administrative officer found Clark had purchased a family membership voucher for the pool on May 22.

The voucher, which is for Quispamsis residents only, was later activated by someone living in Rothesay.

On July 18, Clark went to the pool and identified himself as one of the four people listed on the membership.

Around the same time, the mayor was supposed to be at an EMO Planning Committee meeting, but he told the CAO in a text message that he was headed to the hospital because “something had happened to a family member.”

‘I Look Forward To Moving Forward’

Clark said council gave him two choices for breaching the code of conduct: take a suspension or resign.

“Resigning was not my option so that’s why I took the five-week suspension,” he said.

Clark said he received a “lot of support” from residents of Quispamsis and elsewhere following his suspension.

“I was very appreciative for people to reach out as difficult a time as it was,” he said.

“It feels great to be back and I look forward to moving forward.”