David Yurdiga has resigned from his role as deputy reeve and Athabasca County councillor for the Grassland area, effective May 9.
Yurdiga plans to focus his efforts on the Fort McMurray-Athabasca byelection, for which he is the Conservative candidate.
“I still plan to be a part of everyone’s lives, obviously,” said Yurdiga.
As for leaving municipal politics, he said, “It’s a hard thing to do. You’re not going to be with your friends and colleagues in that same capacity.”
Still, he said, it’s important that Grassland area residents are represented fairly and properly, and he didn’t want to leave the division unattended to while on the campaign trail.
Yurdiga said he plans to stop by the county council meeting tomorrow to say his farewells. He acknowledged his departure will trigger a byelection in Division 7, though he did not know when that would be held. He said he hopes multiple candidates will come forward for the seat.
As for his new colleagues, Yurdiga said he met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper this morning.
“He wished me well, and I look forward to working with him,” Yurdiga said.
See Tuesday’s Athabasca Advocate for more on how the county will proceed in light of Yurdiga’s resignation.
