The published Agenda for tomorrow’s Council-in-Committee meeting of Madawaska Valley Council contains an item entitled “17.1 Appointment Vacant Council Seat.” The Report from CAO Suzanne Klatt outlines the appointment process that Council has decided on:
THAT Council adopts the following process for the appointment of a member of Council to fill
a vacancy:
The Clerk will ask each member of Council in Alphabetical order to read out loud their choice
for a candidate to fill the vacant Council seat. Every member will then read their candidate
selection. After all candidates have been named the Clerk will go back in Alphabetical order
for the Council member to put a motion on the table with their selection.
- If there is a motion moved but no seconder, the motion fails.
- If there is a motion moved and it is seconded and when voted is a 2-2 supported motion,
that candidates’ name will be placed into a hat. If more than one motion receives a 2-2
supported motion, one of the candidates whose names are placed into the hat shall be
selected randomly by the Clerk and that person shall be appointed to fill the vacant Council
seat. In the event that only one candidate’s name is placed into the hat, that candidate
shall be appointed to fill the vacant Council seat. - If the vote is a 3-1 supported motion, the candidate shall be appointed.
This process raises some questions. Here are a few examples from readers:
- How did members of Council arrive at the “names” of the individual each of them wishes to put forward to fill the vacancy?
- Has there been an investigation of each of the “names” to examine their character and suitability for holding public office that requires accountability, integrity and transparency?
- Has each of the “names” been interviewed as to their career experience and comparative strengths?
- Have members of Council canvassed the community in any way to see who might be willing to serve?
- Even though no call for candidates was made, did Council receive any indications of willingness to serve or any applications at all from the community?
Whoever is selected to replace former Councillor Joe Olsheski, it is to be hoped that the individual has the same worthwhile attributes and suitability for the position: willingness to listen to all sides, fairness, honesty, an even temper and, above all, an understanding of the obligations of the role.
Some useful questions that should have been considered by council. No such luck, it appears!
I was also was left confused on how the new council member was to be chosen after reading the agenda for this meeting. Hopefully the nominated person is attending the Council meeting to accept or decline the nomination. Each nominated person should then give a bio why they should be on council. If the nominated person is not at the meeting or virtually then they should be immediately disqualified. The elected council should then vote for the next councillor from the accepted nominees.
Transparency is vital.