Former Saint John councillor Sean Casey. (Staff photo)
Saint John’s Ward 2 has a council vacancy.
Council voted Monday evening to declare Coun. Sean Casey’s seat vacant after he missed his fourth consecutive regular council meeting without approval.
The provincial Local Governance Act dictates that a seat is declared vacant when a councillor misses four or more consecutive regular meetings, except in the case of illness or with authorization from council.
“From my perspective, decisions like that aren’t easy,” said Mayor Don Darling. “This is legislation that’s in place and I believe we have a duty to protect the integrity of the office and have council members present to fulfill their duty.”
Common Clerk Jonathan Taylor said Casey was absent for the Jan. 11, Jan. 25, Feb. 8 and Feb. 22 meetings.
Taylor said the councillor did not indicate his absences were a result of illness, and they were not authorized by council.
A phone number for Casey listed on the city’s website leads to a voicemail message indicating he would be absent until Feb. 13.
He has not responded to a request for comment from our newsroom.
It appears the Ward 2 seat will remain unfilled until this May’s municipal elections. According to the Local Governance Act, a municipal byelection cannot take place within 12 months of a scheduled general election.
