Fort Frances town council is rejecting the idea of a by-election to fill the seat vacated by Mandi Olson.
They will instead invite people to apply and make an appointment from those interested.
Five options were put before council.
Town clerk Gabrielle Lecuyer recommended a by-election because it offered a chance for the public to be involved in the selection.
“However, I do want to highlight that we are quite discouraged with the necessity of having to make this recommendation of planning an election,” says Lecuyer, “especially given the overlap of meeting schedules happening and public hearings that are happening, budget deliberations. We’ve got the holiday season. It’s a very, very busy time.”
The cost of a by-election is estimated at about $45,000.
Councillor Steve Maki says it was one of the factors that influenced his decision to favour council making an appointment.
“My position is the same as it was in the last vacancy, and that is to have an open call for applicants, get as many applicants as possible, and pick the best candidate,” says Maki.
“And certainly the cost factor of a by-election of $45,000, and today’s day and age of our financial position to be spending that when there are quality alternative options, I think we should have an open call.”
Mayor Andrew Hallikas, who attended the meeting virtually, also feel the time and expense of holding a by-election could not be justified.
“By the time we’ve got that person in place, they would have a year and 10 months left to serve. And the expense is considerable. There is precedent for going the appointment route, the call and appointment route,” says Hallikas.
Deputy Mayor Mike Behan still felt a by-election would ensure transparency.
“And the last thing we need, I think, as council, is that, oh, sure, they picked the only person they like, the person they agreed with, and the person who’s going to maybe raise problems or cause problems, is they didn’t. They ignored that person. I think let the people decide who they want to be in our council,” says Behan.
It could be January or February before the seat is filled.
