WESTLOCK — Town of Westlock Councillor Abby Keyes has resigned.
Town councillors officially accepted her resignation during the Sept. 9, regular council meeting.
Keyes, who was elected in 2021, handed in her resignation to the town’s CAO Simone Wiley on Aug. 20, and has moved out of Westlock and is no longer residing in the town.
“She submitted her resignation to council and as per the MGA as your Chief Administrative Officer, (CAO) I’m required to give notice to all of council at the first meeting subsequent to the resignation. So that’s the official notice, in the package here,” said Town of Westlock CAO Simone Wiley.
Wiley noted the several boards and committees that Coun. Keyes sat on including the emergency management committee, municipal planning commission (MPC), Westlock intermunicipal library board, Westlock regional municipal airport advisory board and the Yellowhead regional library board and that they could appoint another councillor to fill those newly vacated spots or could leave them vacant until the next organization on Oct. 28.
Town & Country This Week was able to reach Keyes for comment, following her resignation. In a short message Keyes said she has moved and is taking time to focus on other areas of her life.
“I loved my time on council but am taking a break from politics to raise kids and teach,” said Keyes. “I would love to enter the arena again down the road, but with everything, there’s a time and season.”
The Town of Westlock released a statement Sept. 10, about Keyes’ resignation and showed their appreciation for her service and dedication to the town, while she was here.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to Coun. Keyes for her three years of service to the community and wish her success in her future endeavours,” said Town of Westlock mayor Jon Kramer.
Town of Westlock officials also said that, council is able to maintain quorum and with the next municipal election scheduled for October 2025, there are no legislative requirements to hold a byelection to fill the vacant seat on council.
