At a Special Council meeting of Madawaska Valley on April 28th, Ernie Peplinski was officially appointed as a Councillor to fill the vacant seat left by former Councillor Joseph Olsheski. Above: CAO Suzanne Klatt (right) administers the oath of office to Peplinski, as Acting Mayor Mary Blank looks on (rear). Photo: YouTube. Peplinski takes office because his name was draw out of a hat following a tied vote at the Council meeting on April 1st.
This appointment resolves one vacancy on Council, but MV now must deal with the empty chair left by the late Mayor Mark Willmer who died on April 18th. Acting Mayor Mary Blank announced that the Council will officially declare his seat vacant at the Council meeting on May 6th, which will trigger the process to fill that vacancy on Council.
During the meeting Acting Mayor Blank expressed sincere condolences on behalf of Council, Township staff, and Madawaska Valley residents to the late Mayor’s family and announced that the family will hold a Celebration of Life for Mark Wilmer at the Paul J. Yakabuski Community Centre in Barry’s Bay on Thursday, May 1 starting at 5 pm. All are welcome to attend.
