Due to the sudden decision by Councillor Andre Grzela to resign from his position as Ward 1 Councillor, a special meeting was held on Monday afternoon to determine the next step towards replacing him.
Mayor Steve Black asked City Clerk Steph Palmateer to officially explain what the options are.
“Basically council has two options. They can either appoint to fill the vacancy, or they can hold a by-election to fill the vacancy” said Palmateer.
Council has the entirety of control over the situation. As long as they implement the decision 60 days from January 3, 2017, Grzela's final day as a Councillor, they will be in compliance with the Municipal Act.
Councillor Pat Bamford said there were many 'legit' and 'very democratic' ways to fill Grzela's chair.
He said because of a unique nature of the situation, the person receiving the second most votes in the 2014 Municipal Elections for Grzela's Ward 1 should have first dibs at filling the position. That person is Veronica Farrell.
“There's several reasons why I would suggest that. One, this lady ran twice, and was runner-up twice. She was the first choice for over 700 people” said Bamford.
“Running twice I think gives her a legitimacy, that she is interested and keen on representing her people.”
Councillor Rick Dubeau asked for clarification regarding the interest of Farrell. Mayor Steve Black replied that Farrell had reached out to him expressing her interest in the seat.
Councillor Joe Campbell said he agreed with Bamford, based solely on the nice things he said about her.
“I don't know the lady, at all, never met her. But based on some of the things Councillor Bamford has said, I think I agree she has a legitimate opportunity to serve on this council. I think we can make that decision fairly quickly if other Councillors are on board with this. If not, then we have 60 days to do so” said Campbell.
Councillor Andrew Marks said 'time is of the essence' regarding the vacancy.
“There's going to be major budgetary discussions in January” he said.
Marks said that if Farrell wasn't interested, then the next down the line should be asked, and emphasized that appointment was the best route to take.
Councillor Mike Doody said Farrell is 'involved and in the community'.
“I certainly would have no problems with endorsing her nomination to fill the vacancy on council” he said.
Councillor Noella Rinaldo said she agreed, noting Farrell's work serving on the board of the Timmins Public Library.
Marks also mentioned the two precedents of Councillor replacement, were both by appointment.
Councillor Walter Wawrzaszek asked if there was a resolution to appoint Farrell at the ready, seemingly hoping to get the matter dealt with before Christmas.
“I think Councillor, before we get ahead of ourselves, we should officially speak to her, and ensure that she is in fact willing to accept the nomination. So the resolution now is that we proceed to fill the vacancy by appointment, by approaching the candidate who was the runner-up in the Ward” replied Palmateer.
The Clerk said there is technically no vacancy until January 3rd, and the fact he has yet to hear from Farrell.
“I'm not aware that she reached out to anybody, in any official capacity” said Palmateer.
“I didn't realize that you guys were going to be talking about her so openly” said a stunned Palmateer.
The special meeting was not live streamed and recorded, and for most of the meeting only TimminsToday was present.
The new Councillor could be sworn in as soon as the first meeting in January. Black mentioned that at least three other individuals have inquired about filling the position, with exactly zero of those individuals having ever run in Ward 1.
