In late May, Sylvie Beaudoin resigned from Bonfield Township’s council. With the four-member council helmed by Mayor Randall McLaren, whittled down to three, the call has gone out for residents to restore balance.
During their June 8 meeting, Bonfield council declared the seat vacant, and at that time, as per the Municipal Act, had 60 days to find a new councillor.
See: Bonfield’s former deputy mayor resigns. Cites 'toxic work environment' as one of the reasons
“That’s the law,” Bonfield’s chief administrative officer Peter Johnston reminded council, before providing the two options to fill a seat sanctioned by the Act.
The first option is a by-election, which Johnston did not recommend “given that there’s less than a year and a half to go” on the council’s term.
The second option is appointing the person with the next highest number of votes from the last election.
That is not possible, as Mayor McLaren explained that the next person on that list has moved away, and that person was the only other option on that election roll.
See: Council split on replacing vacant seat in West Nipissing
Now the call is out to Bonfield residents to fill the council chair.
Applicants must be a qualified municipal elector in Bonfield. Residents, landowners, and tenants within the township are encouraged to apply.
Residents can send an expression of interest to the deputy clerk outlining the experiences, strengths, and attributes that would makes the candidate an exemplary council member.
All applications must be received by noon, August 5. Council will review the candidates, select a nominee, and appoint the new candidate by vote in an open council meeting on August 10.
The new councillor will serve for the remainder of council’s term, which concludes November 30, 2022.
See: Vacant seat continues to haunt split council
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
