Castlegar mayor resigns after travelling over holidays

Photo: City of Castlegar

Castlegar mayor Bruno Tassone

The mayor of Castlegar resigned Friday after he faced criticism for travelling to Mount Baldy over the holidays.

On Friday, the City of Castlegar posted a notice to its website about Mayor Bruno Tassone's resignation.

“On behalf of everyone in Castlegar, I want to thank Bruno for his leadership and dedication to his roles of Mayor, Councillor and City employee,” Chief Administrative Officer Chris Barlow said in a statement. “His commitment to our community spans decades and positively impacted the City.”

Castlegar News reported earlier this week that Tassone and his family spent their holidays at their family-owned cabin at Mount Baldy near Oliver, about 200 kilometres from Castlegar.

This was at odds with B.C. public health's advisory that non-essential travel should be avoided. While the advisory states, “Do not travel for a vacation,” no enforceable order around travel has been put in place.

In a letter sent to Barlow and city council, published by Castlegar News, Tassone says the “bullying and hypocrisy within the media” has taken a toll on his spirit.

“It goes without saying that I have been a target of harmful and bullying behaviour along with outright disrespect within the systems I have operated in upon my arrival as Councilman over six years ago,” he wrote.

“I find it extremely disheartening that certain council members who wish to stand for inclusion, advocation and awareness around mental health have come to be the very people instigating and inflicting pain onto others.”

Tassone did not address his holiday travels in his resignation letter.

City council will now appoint a chief election officer, and a by-election for a new mayor will be held within 80 days of that appointment.