Almost half way through their term of service, four Rural Municipality of Armstrong councillors resigned last week.
Councillors Pat Stein, Ted Sumka, Paul Humeny and Brent Dziadek stepped down during council’s regular meeting on April 9.
Pat Stein (Ward 4) spoke with the Express last week, citing alleged non-adherence to the municipal code of conduct as the reason for her resignation. She read out – and shared – her resignation letter with the paper, but was unable to provide further details on the issues raised.
“It saddens me that good council members that love to serve their community are forced to step down in order to put a halt to the toxic work environment. The toxicity started almost immediately in 2022 with eight employees’ resignations to follow,” said Stein. “There is a council code of conduct but when not adhered to, becomes a long, expensive and drawn-out process. If council would have continued in this manner, I feel it would not have been in the best interest for our RM.”
Stein thanked the community for the “opportunities and support” provided to her during her time on council.
One of the employees who resigned in 2022 shortly after the new council was elected was Sig Trautwein, who worked as the RM’s bylaw officer.
Trautwein told the Express that he had spent over 40 years in law enforcement, as a police officer and working for the Province of Manitoba, before he retired and later started working for the RM.
After four years, he resigned as bylaw officer during one of the meetings held early on by the newly elected council because of the “unacceptable” way the reeve allegedly spoke to him and the then CAO, to whom he reported, regarding costs associated with the handling of lost or injured dogs.
“I resigned on the spot. I said, ‘I resign because I will not work for bullies.’ And that’s when I walked out of the meeting,” said Trautwein. “And one week after that, the CAO and office staff resigned.”
Long-time councillor Ted Sumka (Ward 3) said that the reason for his resignation had to do with “personal family matters.”
The Express reached out to councillors Brent Dziadek (Ward 5) and Paul Humeny (Ward 2) but did not hear back.
Councillor Allen Pfrimmer (Ward 1) confirmed that he did not resign and that he’ll continue to focus on municipal matters and his commitment to ratepayers.
“My focus is to ensure the municipality runs smoothly and that taxpayers get the best bang for their tax dollars, and that the decisions we make going forward are in their best interests,” said Pfrimmer.
Reeve Kate Basford said she was unable to provide details about the resignations or comment on Trautwein’s allegation regarding the discussion about animal control costs.
But she but did say the provincial government has been made aware of the resignations and that the municipality will continue to operate on behalf of its ratepayers.
“The RM will continue to provide municipal services,” said Basford. “With regard to further steps, the RM is waiting to hear from the provincial government.”
When asked whether the four resignation letters could be shared with the public or the media, the RM’s interim chief administrative officer Nancy Howell said: “The letters do not become public until they are presented at the next meeting of council.”
A spokesperson for the provincial department of municipal and northern relations said the department is in the process of appointing an administrator to ensure the “day-to-day operations of the municipality continue.”
He added that under the provincial Municipal Act “once quorum is lost the remaining members cannot exercise the function or duty of council” and a by-election will be planned as soon as practically possible.
