The newly minted MLA-elect for Port Moody-Coquitlam says he’ll make an announcement about his seat on PoMo city council at its next regular meeting on June 13.
But Rick Glumac won’t say what that announcement will be.
“Basically, I’m going to announce what I’m going to do,” said Glumac, who took a leave of absence from his second term on council to run for the BC NDP in May’s provincial election. He defeated BC Liberal incumbent Linda Reimer by collecting 47% of the ballots cast on May 9.
Moody Mayor Mike Clay said Glumac hasn’t given him any indication whether he plans to resign his council position or try to do both jobs.
If Glumac does give up his spot before January 2018, by law, the city has 90 days to call a byelection. If he decides to maintain both jobs at least until then, “we have some flexibility about leaving [his seat] open,” said Clay.
“Bringing in someone new at this point is difficult," Clay said."Getting them up to speed and then putting them immediately into an election cycle.” (The next general city election will be held in October 2018.)
Clay said the current council is “working well together” and leaving Glumac’s seat vacant wouldn’t present a problem unless a vote appears headed for a tie.
“But if you’re that close on an issue, it likely wouldn’t make a difference anyway,” the mayor said.
Port Moody resident Cathy Cena, who ran unsuccessfully for council in 2014, said she’s waiting to hear what Glumac says to determine whether she’ll run in a possible byelection.
“The possibility of running isn’t far from my mind, but I will watch and see how it all plays out,” said Cena, who placed 12th out of 14 candidates vying for six jobs.
@mbartelTC
– with a file from Diane Strandberg
