No byelection will be held following the resignation of Coun. Don Nesbitt from Red Deer County council Oct. 9, say officials.Described by collegues as one of the most diligent and prepared officials, council members took turns expressing gratitude for the retired Nova Chemical employee's civic service at their Oct. 16 meeting.“We knew that Don was looking at alternatives,” said Coun. David Hoar. “He had travelled down into Central America, looked at some retirement properties. He posted his house for sale and he sold it way quicker than he thought he would.”The thoughtful and deliberate councillor wasn't afraid to speak on behalf of constituents, Hoar said.“He was a great man to work with,” he said. “He was more than willing to stand up and let his thoughts be presented.”Mayor Jim Wood said though Nesbitt's resignation was sudden, it was a personal decision and had nothing to do with council business.“He's done an excellent job through his term,” Wood said. “He will be missed on council.”Nesbitt and his wife are well travelled and he wanted to find a new home while he was still in good health, said Coun. Philip Massier.“He was looking to move somewhere he had to learn a new language, where they had a good medical system and temperate climate and so I think Costa Rica was on the short list,” Massier said. “He said we're all welcome, of course, and he'd take care of us.”With the cost of a byelection running between $5,000 and $7,000 council decided to hold off on filling the position until the end of the next term, with Coun. Penny Archibald and Mayor Wood opposing the motion.“A three-three vote I don't like at all,” Archibald said.Wood said he would have liked to see Div. 2 represented, although he said he can understand how tough it would be to shift back into campaign mode right after being elected.
