McBride, B.C.-  The Province has appointed Isabell Hadford to the post as municipal  advisor for McBride.

The community   was left  with just a Mayor and one councillor when three councillors  resigned late last month.  The Province had to  give  special permission for the Mayor and  remaining Councillor to constitute  quorum so  village business could carry on.

Hadford is a former municipal chief  administrative officer in BC with 25 years’ experience in smaller, rural communities.  She will  begin her work with the village immediately to stabilize short-term municipal operations and help support long-term confidence in the municipality. She will  report directly to the inspector of municipalities.

The inspector of municipalities met with the remaining McBride council members and staff to discuss the role of the advisor and emphasize expectations for the two-member council while they act in their limited capacity.

The immediate priority is to appoint a chief election officer and deputy chief election officer to run a by-election. Council is expected to meet on Dec. 19, 2016, to appoint the chief election officer.

Experienced elections staff from the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George have indicated they are available to support McBride’s by-election. The date for the municipal by-election must fall on a Saturday no later than 80 days after the appointment of the chief election officer.