Highlands to appoint new councillor

By Sarah Sobanski

The Municipality of Hastings Highlands Council has begun seeking a representative for Monteagle Ward.

Council has voted to appoint a councillor in favour of a by-election to fill its vacancy for Monteagle Ward. It will be seeking the 2014 election's runner-up for the ward.

We will be adhering to the wishes of the voters as per the 2014 election,” said Councillor Nancy Matheson.

“It's the cheapest way we can go. It's also the quickest and easiest,” followed Councillor Hald Robinson. 

The clerk presented council with two options at a regular meeting Oct. 19. Council could appoint a new councillor; either a qualified person who has consented to fill the office or by accepting applications or; it could hold a by-election to fill the remained of the 2015-'18 term. In both cases council has 60 days to act from the formal announcement of the vacancy, Dec. 18.

The councillor position became vacant after former councillor Mike Leveque died earlier in the month. Council also voted to appoint Councillor Bert Cannon to Leveque's former position as the representative of council on the Municipal Dog Pound Board.

Council planned to reach out to the closest runner up to see if he or she was interested in the position.

The closest runner up for Monteagle Ward was Alex Walder in the 2014 election with 214 votes. He was followed by Shaun Sellers with 172 votes, Rodney Plunkett with 143 votes and Lynda McAlpine with 114 votes.