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Mono Council works on policy for filling vacant seat

September 23, 2021   ·   0 Comments

By Peter Richardson

Mono Council heard a report from Town Clerk Fred Simpson, regarding the policy for filling a vacant Council seat during their regular meeting last Tuesday (Sept. 14).

Deputy Mayor Fred Nix, expressed his concern that should numerous applicants apply, the meeting to hear presentations could be very long, so he would like to see a vetting process instituted, whereby only the most qualified candidates would be chosen.

Simpson said this was entirely up to Council to decide and CAO Mark Early noted that notification of this may want to be included in the policy to prevent later conflicts with council. It was decided that the notification would be added to the policy going forward.

Deputy Mayor Nix noted that the matter of questions and time allotted was perhaps too strict and he would like to see it looser and governed by the Mayor’s discretion, should a more definitive answer to questions be required, the Mayor could do so.

Councillor Manktelow asked why the issue of using ranked ballots was included in the policy for filling a vacant seat, which Simpson replied by saying it’s a way to prevent a hung vote, where Council was evenly split on an applicant.

Coun. Manktelow said he felt that it might be confusing, but was okay with it if Simpson was.

Deputy Mayor Nix then expressed his reticence to not using a secret vote, saying that if he knew two of the applicants, he would not be comfortable having them know who he voted for. The mayor then asked if the Municipal Act dictated any particular way of voting and was told that it did not appear that way.

Council then addressed the matter of electronic applications. The Clerk expressed his concerns regarding the matter, stating that Town Hall was now open with precautions for COVID and that paper nominations are appropriate. Councillors agreed and the policy will remain as stated.

They also agreed that ranked ballots should be used and agreed that the vetting of applicants would occur when ten applicants apply. Council also decided that names would only be published when vetting was complete, should it be required.

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