Wilks formally resigns as Mayor of Sparwood

Sparwood council formally accepted the resignation of Mayor David Wilks during its April 21 regular meeting, closing a lengthy chapter of municipal service while setting the stage for a new acting mayor and the fall election.

Council voted to acknowledge and accept Wilks’ resignation, effective May 1, and confirmed no by-election would be held before the October general election.

The report from Manager of Corporate Services Megan Rawles said the resignation was received by the corporate officer on April 1. Under the Community Charter, the resignation becomes effective on the date specified in the written notice.

“Once effective, the office of the mayor becomes vacant,” said Rawles.

She said council was permitted under the Local Government Act to leave the mayor’s office vacant until the next general election because of the timing of the resignation and the number of council members remaining.

Council then appointed Councillor Amy Cardozo as acting mayor from May until October. Cardozo was also appointed to represent Sparwood on the Regional District of East Kootenay Board of Directors and the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board of Directors. Councillor Steve Kallies was appointed as alternate.

Cardozo was also appointed to the Highway 3 Mayors and Chairs Committee for the remainder of the term.

During council announcements, Cardozo said Wilks’ resignation prompted her to reflect on the work council had done over the past nearly eight years.

“That being said, with Dave announcing his resignation, it’s given me a lot to think about and reflect on, and thinking over the last seven and a half, almost eight years, all of the things that we’ve accomplished as a council,” said Cardozo.

She pointed to several projects, including economic development, housing and infrastructure work, before announcing her own plans for the fall election.

“I’m not ready to stop…” said Cardozo. “I’ve decided I am going to run for mayor in the election this fall.”

Wilks used his final council meeting to look back on 42 years of public service, beginning with his time in the RCMP and continuing through municipal and federal politics.

“My journey in public service started on November 19th or November 18th, I’m sorry, 1980, when I became a proud member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police,” said Wilks.

He said he worked in numerous municipalities, working general duty, highway patrol and plain-clothes investigations before retiring from the RCMP in 2000.

“In 2002, I ran for council for the District of Sparwood,” said Wilks. “I sat as a councillor under Mayor Cal MacDougall for three years and had decided that if I liked it, I would run for mayor. I liked it, and I ran for mayor in 2005.”

Wilks highlighted several projects and initiatives from his time in office, including renegotiating the Elk Valley mine property tax sharing agreement, development of the Whitewood and Cherrywood subdivisions, LED street light conversion, the walking bridge over the Elk River, Highway 3 advocacy, curbside recycling, the FoodCycler pilot project, the wastewater treatment plant upgrades and the FireSmart program.

He also spoke about his time as MP for Kootenay Columbia, including securing funding for the West Fernie Infrastructure Project, passing a private member’s bill into law and responding during the 2014 shooting on Parliament Hill.

“It has been a hell of a run. This year culminates in 42 years of public service, and it’s time to retire,” said Wilks. “I’ve always said to people, ‘When it’s not fun anymore, get out.’ And it’s not fun anymore.”

Wilks said public service had become more difficult in recent years, particularly after COVID and with the tone of some social media commentary.

“Social media has become a place where some people have become very ignorant and rude,” said Wilks. “Those same people who see me or a councillor on the street won’t say anything to us in person.”

He encouraged residents who have opinions about council’s work to put their names forward in the October election.

“There’s an election coming up in October. I encourage anyone to put your name forward,” said Wilks. “There is a lot of time required for these positions, much more than what people think. This job will be very frustrating at times but very rewarding as well.”

Councillors paid tribute to Wilks during the announcement portion of the meeting.

Councillor Sam Atwal said Wilks had shown leadership by welcoming disagreement and keeping discussions focused on the community.

“I want to thank you in the way you’ve led us…” said Atwal. “Navigating these meetings requires that rare balance of strength and patience, and you’ve managed it quite well, and making sure that this chamber remains a place of dignity.”

Councillor Steve Kallies said he was choosing to celebrate Wilks’ years of service rather than focus on the loss to council.

“I think it’s an incredible loss to Sparwood. However, what a privilege to have had you in a seat in some semblance for 17 years,” said Kallies.

Councillor Chris Nand said he had known Wilks since his RCMP days and thanked him for his friendship and service.

“I want to thank you so much for your friendship over the last 32 plus years. We’re going to miss you,” said Nand. “You’ve done an amazing job for this community, and I wish you all the best.”

Wilks closed by thanking council, staff, employees and his wife Cindy for supporting him through decades of public service.

“So Sparwood, with that, I bid you adieu,” said Wilks. “God bless each and every one of you. Thank you.”