The Mayor of East Cowes has resigned, after only seven months in office, and stepped down from the town council.
Michael Paler said he was met with a lack of enthusiasm over projects he brought forward for the council, like the Jubilee sustainable garden, as a reason for his departure.
ECTC: Commitments in other areas were increasing
The council clerk said Cllr Paler felt his commitments in other areas were increasing and was unable to give the time he feels necessary to the town council.
He was previously on East Cowes Town Council (ECTC) before, but resigned in August last year, instead turning his efforts toward being the coordinator of the town’s Covid support hub.
Cllr Paler was voted in as Mayor in May following his successful election campaign to once again represent the Osborne ward.
Paler: Ideas were going nowhere
Speaking of his resignation, Cllr Paler, who was recently co-opted onto Cowes Town Council (CTC), said ECTC did not get behind his ideas and, as a result, they were getting nowhere.
He said there is so much potential for East Cowes but he has gone to CTC, where he is excited to get started and help.
Cllr Paler said he will still be around to help the community and continue to run the Covid support hub.
ECTC: Paler’s work with support hub and vaccination programme has been phenomenal
A spokesperson for ECTC said they were very grateful for the commitment and support shown by Cllr Paler during a very challenging year.
They said,
“His work with the volunteer support hub and the Covid vaccination programme has been phenomenal and very much appreciated by the whole community.
“The town council wish him well in his new ventures.”
More will be said at the ECTC meeting on Thursday, 16th December.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
