A member of Invermere’s district council has stepped down, paving the way for a byelection in January.
Mayor Al Miller said councillor Mark Topliff stepped down from his role shortly after the municipal election.
“We had what could have been a very good council, but unfortunately, Mark Topliff decided he couldn’t run for personal reasons. That was prior to inauguration, so it was the right time to declare that,” said Miller.
This leaves Invermere’s District Council with four members until the byelection: Miller, Kayja Becker, Gerry Taft and Theresa Wood.
The mayor commended Topliff’s efforts in the community.
“He’s a really good guy. He works hard in this valley and he’s a giving person. I wish him well in his future,” said Miller.
In the municipal election, four candidates ran, all of whom were acclaimed. Miller is hopeful to see some competition in the upcoming byelection to fill the vacant spot.
“We’ve got a few people who I think may have been sitting back looking to possibly run, but maybe the timing wasn’t right,” said Miller. “We have some really great things going on in Invermere and I really believe we’re going to have some people come forward who want to move us in the right direction.”
Miller encourages any Invermere resident to run if they may want to be involved in the District Council.
