September 12, 1996
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

Municipal and Provincial Affairs Minister, Arthur D. Reid, today announced the appointment of Clarence Randell as the administrator for the Town of Conception Bay South.

Mr. Reid said Mr. Randell, whose appointment is effective immediately, will administer the affairs of the town until such time as an election is called and a new council takes office. The minister noted that this marks the first step in restoring confidence in the town's ability to manage its affairs.

As the administrator, Mr. Randell will exercise the powers and authority of an elected council. As such, he replaces the Conception Bay South Town Council, which was dismissed from office effective September 10, 1996.

Authorization to appoint an administrator is contained in Section 6, subsection 5, of the Municipal Affairs Act, and the duties, functions and responsibilities of the administrator are contained under Sections 480 to 494, inclusive, of the Municipalities Act.

Mr. Reid said the appointment of Mr. Randell as administrator is an excellent choice. He is a former deputy minister of Municipal Affairs as well as a former town manager.

"I am quite confident that the appointment of Mr. Randell will be well received by residents of the Town of Conception Bay South. As administrator, I know that he will work diligently with the town's staff to ensure that the affairs of the town are properly conducted until such time as the new election can be held," stated Mr. Reid.

In the meantime, Mr. Reid said the new council to be elected in Conception Bay South will be in office until the scheduled municipal election of the year 2001, a period of approximately five years.

The minister explained that the Municipalities Act provides that "a general election shall not take place in a municipality where a council has been elected for that municipality within one (1) year of the date of the general election." Accordingly, an election will not be held in the Town of Conception Bay South as part of the 1997 scheduled general municipal elections throughout the province.

The minister said he expects that the election of a new council for the town will take place sometime during November of this year.

Contact: Gary P. Callahan, Director of Communications, (709) 729-3142.