Saint-Jerome: Stephen Maher is no longer mayor

Last fall for fraudulent election maneuvers, Stefan Maher was not the Saint-Jerome mayor among the Laurentians.

Also read: Mandatory for Saint-Jerome, Laval’s former guardian

Also read: Saint-Jerome Mayor convicted

Mr Maher did not appeal the November 30 decision by the commission’s municipal du Quebec (CMQ).

“I would like to inform you that the Commission noted on January 21, 2021 that the order of Mr. Maher, mayor of St.-Jerome, expires on December 31, 2020, and that this is the third paragraph of Article 318 of the Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities.” Isabelle Revolt, spokeswoman for the Department of Governance and Continuing Development, confirmed the email.

Following media coverage of the CMQ decision on Friday, Mr Maher had 10 days to challenge it, i.e. until February 1st. We do not know what he wants to do.

“The post of mayor of the city of Saint-Jerome will be vacant by February 2,” Mr Maher explained via email to Valerie Save, director of St. Jerome’s city information department, if he did not run for CMQ. .

It is up to the Municipal Council, according to Ms. Save, to decide whether supplementary elections will be called before all municipalities are scheduled for next fall. An extraordinary meeting of the Municipal Council may be held for governance on the next steps.

The punishment meted out by Stefan Maher for fraudulent election maneuvers is linked to the 2017 municipal elections. Former municipal councilor Mario Foutex has complained to Quebec’s Chief Electoral Officer (DGEQ) about Mayor Maher’s commitment to give him the prestigious post and leave politics.