Trevor Burch, Mayor of Woodstock, Ontario. Facing several criminal charges, including assault and sexual assault, he has registered to run for his third term as president.
Birch, who is scheduled to appear in court in Woodstock on Monday, filed the papers with the city's office at approximately 11:30 am on Friday, just before 2:00 pm. Deadline, according to city officials.
Birch was one of his last candidates in the fall local elections, when voters will head to the polls on October 24.
Until Friday, no one knows whether Burch will start his re-election campaign and is likely to be plagued with six criminal charges brought against him by London police earlier this year. I'm not sure.
Read More: May 2, 2022: Woodstock, Ontario. Mayor appears in court for first time on assault, sexual assault charges
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47-year-old man in February, 2021 Since 2016, assault and two counts of sexual assault have been charged in connection with allegations involving the same female petitioner, who police say knew Burch.
Birch is accused of sexually assaulting the plaintiff on Valentine's Day 2021 and between December 10 and December 13, according to court documents.
The previous charge against Birch was sexual assault by asphyxiation, which was later changed to sexual assault.
In April, Birch was indicted for three separate sexual assaults of him involving separate complainants.
These allegations are dated to his Aug. 15, 2021, according to court documents. April 5, 2022. and between January 1, 2017 and April 5, 2022.
Birch is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Read more: April 26, 2022: Woodstock, Ontario. Mayor Faces Additional Sexual Assault Cases: London Police
He said he was proud of the city, adding that the city "continues to need strong stability." He has more experience in leadership than ever before.
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``I still have a lot of work to do, but I am willing and ready to continue. ' said the statement.
“We have been through a lot in the last two years. We want to lead this city as a land.”
In a statement, Birch declined to comment on the criminal charges on the advice of his attorney.
“We will continue to follow this guidance throughout the process. Thank you for your kind encouragement and prayers.I will not comment further on this matter."
Birch resigned from Woodstock City Council in his late February, handing over the duties to Count. Connie Lauder. In April, city councilors voted unanimously in favor of allowing Birch to take paid leave. Approved a motion to allow employees to take leave of absence. However, leave is unpaid and must be requested in writing by Birch himself.
Birch had not requested a leave of absence from the County Council and was present at the most recent meeting held on August 10
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Read more: February 17, 2022: Woodstock Mayor asks Council to resign after indictment I chaired the meeting.
Speaking to Global News on Friday, Jennifer Dunn, executive director of the London Center for Abuse of Women, said Mr Birch would not seek re-election given the seriousness of the allegations against him.
"There are other things he can do in the community to show that he is a supporter of the community and to give back to the community," Dunn said.
"I think he should have worked to solve this problem and regain the trust of the community, especially the women and girls in the community."
Rural Under municipal law, elected officials who are indicted or convicted of a crime are not required to resign from public office. Only when a civil servant is sentenced to imprisonment will he be deprived of his position.
Dunn reiterated her position that the law should be reviewed to give the Council the ability to compel persons in power to resign when accused of serious crimes.
"There is no reason why someone charged with such a serious crime can be the leader of a city," she said.
© 2022 Global News , a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
