South Bruce Peninsula council has vacated the seat belonging to a controversial councillor.
Council emerged from a closed session Tuesday afternoon after considering legal advice, and declared the seat held by Craig Gammie to be vacant.
In a news release, Mayor Janice Jackson cited a requirement in the Municipal Act to vacate seats if a member of council is absent for three consecutive months.
Gammie had not attended a meeting since an encounter with Deputy Mayor Jay Kirkland at town hall on September 5, which resulted in an assault charge laid against Gammie.
As part of his bail conditions, Gammie is forbidden from attending town hall, which includes council meetings, though he was granted a one-time exemption to briefly attend Tuesday's session, in hopes of keeping his seat on council.
Gammie took his seat at the council table for only 15 minutes, and left town hall promptly with two plainclothes police officers once Jackson acknowledged Gammie as part of the meeting minutes.
Gammie spoke prior to learning his fate and says he intends on seeking public office during next fall's municipal election, but has not decided which office he will seek.
"Not necessarily for councillor, it could be deputy [mayor], or mayor, I haven't made a plan yet," says Gammie. "But I intend to, in some way, stay involved and represent the people, try to represent the people, if they'll have me."
The remaining four members of South Bruce Peninsula council will discuss how to fill the vacant seat, either by appointment or by-election, during the next council meeting on January 16.
The assault charge against Gammie is scheduled to head to trial in August.
