A South Bruce Peninsula resident is set to make a delegation to council, asking for a by-election to choose a new mayor.
Former mayor Garry Michi resigned from his seat in the summer after making disparaging remarks about the neighbouring Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. Michi’s seat was declared vacant on September 5th.
Last month, council voted to appoint Deputy Mayor Jay Kirkland as mayor, and council is expected to vote Tuesday (Oct 3) if it will confirm its decision to appoint Kirkland as mayor.
Resident Byron Downs is scheduled to make a ten-minute delegation to council. His delegation request form expresses the opinion that while it is legal for council to appoint a mayor, and although it will cost money to hold a by-election (staff estimate around $40,000 to $50,000) Downs says, “I truly feel the public should be the ones to make this decision.”
Councils have a number of options for filling seats of a councillor or mayor. They can appoint a member of council, take applications to appoint someone who is eligible, or hold a by-election.
If Kirkland is appointed mayor, the same process of deciding whether or not to appoint or hold a by-election to fill the deputy mayor’s seat would have to be made.
Council is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. October 3rd.