City of Vernon council members and staff are shocked and saddened at the death of veteran council member.
Bob Spiers died Monday night after attending council meetings throughout the day.
The cause of death is a suspected heart attack for the 71 year old.
Mayor Akbal Mund says Spiers was known for standing up for taxpayers.
“He was going to make sure that every dollar we spent was done with due diligence, we did our due diligence. He always at the goal of the taxpayer at heart. That’s what Bob was,” says Mund to Beach Radio News.
Mund says there won’t be a by-election to fill Spiers’ council seat, given that municipal elections will be held in just a few months, on Oct. 20.
Spiers served on council for 10 years over three terms, and also ran his website Vernon Blog.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Nancy, and three adult children.
Update: 11:33 am
The City of Vernon has issued a statement about the death of councillor Bob Spiers:
“Mayor, Councillors and Administration are saddened to announce the passing of Councillor Bob Spiers last night at the age of 71.
“It is with profound sadness and shock that I announce the passing of Councillor Bob Spiers,” said Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund. “Bob was in Council meetings yesterday, serving the residents of Vernon until shortly before his death.
“Our hearts go out to Bob’s wife of 41 years, Nancy, and his children Greg, 36, a program developer for the BBC; Chris, 34, an RCMP member; and Pamela 32, a teacher,” Mayor Mund continued. “He leaves behind a wonderful and strong family and I know they will be a great source of comfort and support to one another.”
Bob was first elected to Vernon Council in 2008. During his tenure he served on many important City committees including the Advisory Planning Committee, the Audit Committee, the Finance Committee, the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee, the Heritage Advisory Committee and the Environmental Advisory Committee, among others. He was an active and dedicated member of Council. He was known for his diligence in all financial matters, always with the goal of getting the best value for residents’ tax dollars.
Bob wrote and published the Vernon Blog, an open newsletter to help keep the citizens of Vernon up to date on Council happenings and local and national issues.
“We are privileged to have known and worked with Bob Spiers. We will always miss Bob’s great sense of humour, and the hard work and the dedication to the residents of Vernon that Bob was known for,” Mayor Mund said. “We will miss him dearly.”
Funeral arrangements are pending. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada are appreciated.
10:45 am
The City of Vernon has lost one of its veteran councillors.
City sources have confirmed Bob Spiers died Monday night of unknown causes, after attending council meetings throughout the day.
Spiers, who was 71, was a three term councillor who was known as council’s tax watchdog, and for standing up for taxpayers.
The former brokerage operations manager also ran the website Vernon Blog for many years.
The City of Vernon will be issuing a statement on Spiers’s passing later today.
