Turner Valley mayor submits resignation

Turner Valley’s mayor has stepped down, a decision he says was not easy.

Gary Rowntree submitted his resignation as mayor, a term he’s served since the 2017 fall election. He said while his role was to build consensus from council and move the agendas forward, he found it difficult.

“Sometimes by changing the role and for the betterment of the community, it was best for me to step aside,” he said. “I didn’t feel that I could build a consensus that was required to properly move the agendas forward.”

The role of mayor has no more authority than a councillor, just more responsibility, Rowntree said.

“Mayors are always looking for a consensus with their council,” he said. “It’s just unfortunate. I’m not a quitter. This is not, ‘I don’t get my own way so I’m leaving.’ I am just not able to move the council forward as the mayor so it’s time to step back. It wasn’t an easy decision at all.”

Rowntree ran for mayor in the 2017 municipal election, receiving 72 per cent of the votes and beating out incumbent mayor Kelly Tuck and Cheryle Dobbyn. He had previously served as councillor from 2007-2010.

Rowntree said he was prepared to serve the full four years as mayor before retiring from municipal politics at the age of 70.

“I’ve worked a hell of a lot of years and now it’s really time for Marianne and I to step back,” he said. “Marianne was a tremendous support to me, she supported me through this whole thing. She also supported me with the decision to step down.”

Rowntree raised his family in Turner Valley and said he has tremendous friends and acquaintances in the community.

“This has been, for my wife and I, a great place to raise our family,” he said. “I truly care about people and I care about the members of council that are going to move forward.”

A byelection for a new mayor will be held within 90 days, as outlined in the Municipal Government Act. In the meantime, Deputy Mayor John Waring will serve as interim mayor.

Waring, who’s been on council since elected during the 2014 byelection, said he enjoyed working with Rowntree on council.

“I was very disappointed and surprised when he made the announcement,” he said. “He’s so committed to the community and we’re going to miss him. There is no two ways about it. It’s a very unfortunate thing. I’ve got every sympathy with Gary and I will miss him.”

The new role means a little more work for Waring, but he’s ready for it as the Town moves through the byelection period.

“It would be interesting to see who puts their name forward,” he said. “At this point I’m not considering it.”

Waring said he’ll be away for medical reasons for two weeks this winter, during which time Coun. Cindy Holladay will take over as interim mayor.

Todd Sharpe, chief administrative officer, was unable to be reached before press time, but stated in a press release that Rowntree will be missed.

“Mayor Rowntree’s strong leadership and unwavering commitment to the community as a member of council will be greatly missed,” he said. “We offer our best wishes to him and his family and extend our heartfelt thanks for his dedicated service.”