Plenty of shock and awe Thursday, January 24, in Turner Valley with the surprise resignation of Mayor Gary Rowntree.

Councillor John Waring, who moves up from Deputy Mayor, to Interim Mayor says, he, like the others only found out a few minutes before the meeting.

"Yeah, it was a big surprise and it was also personally a great disappointment because I'll miss him very much."

Waring says don't expect to see his name on the ballot when voters head to the polls to elect a New Mayor around the end of April.

"I have no intention of standing for the Mayor's job."

Waring says it's still pretty early to say if any of his other fellow Councillors might consider taking a run at the job.

Rowntree says he stepped back from the Mayor's role because he couldn't build a consensus.

He says if you can't move forward, it's best for him to step away.

Fellow Councillors, administration and residents have all wished him well.

Waring will actually be away for the next couple of weeks dealing with some medical issues, which leaves rookie Councillor, Cindy Holladay in the Mayor's chair as Interim Mayor for at least the next council meeting on Monday, February 4.

Cindy Holladay will sit in the Mayors Chair for the next meeting of Turner Valley Council on Monday, February 4 with Interim Mayor John Waring away for a couple of weeks dealing with medical issues.