North Glengarry council replaces mayor, deputy mayor following Crack’s election

North Glengarry Township council opted last week to replace its outgoing mayor with one of its own, but not without some ruffling the feathers of at least one councillor and a few residents.

Outgoing mayor Grant Crack, who has served North Glengarry and Alexandria for more than a decade, formally announced his resignation at a public meeting last Tuesday, October 11.

He was replaced, effective immediately, by Deputy Mayor Chris McDonell, who in turn was replaced by Councillor Jamie MacDonald. The next step for council is to review applications for the now-empty Alexandria ward seat, to be filled at a later date.

In a brief address, Crack thanked residents for supporting his candidacy through a number of municipal elections and the recent provincial election, saying he was "looking forward to the task at hand" at Queen's Park.

"I've really enjoyed working with this council over the last five years," Crack told fellow council members and municipal staff. "I'm going to miss you."

Deliberations over choosing Crack's replacement were quick enough, though not all council members agreed on the process. Council had three options: to appoint a member of council, a member of the public, or hold a by-election within 45 days.

The township's chief administrative officer, Daniel Gagnon, noted the last municipal election in North Glengarry cost about $34,000 and, if a current member of council was to be elected, there would still be a vacant seat to fill. Whatever its decision, he added, council had 60 days to make its decision.

Councillor Carma Williams stated she would prefer to defer the discussion until all council members were present, as Councillor Jim Picken was absent that evening. However, Councillor Gary Shepherd presented a motion he had prepared, proposing Deputy Mayor McDonell as the new mayor and MacDonald as the new deputy mayor. Staff would advertise for the Alexandria ward seat to be filled.

Williams again objected, saying: "For the record, I've always been in favour of holding a general by-election for the position of mayor. Municipalities are a democratic institution and I believe when considering the highest position in the municipality, it's important to exercise our democratic rights, when at all possible. Of course, we have that option today."

She clarified that "democracy costs money" and had no objections with the candidates proposed by Shepherd, but would rather see an election in the interest of "respecting the need for a general election to elect a mayor, to be open and transparent."

Councillor MacDonald said he agreed with Williams' position, noting "an election is the best way to go," yet he felt strongly that council would have faced an impasse in choosing between an election and an appointment.

MacDonald later told The Review that he believed Picken would have opted for a by-election, along with himself and Williams, while Shepherd, MacSweyn and McDonell supported the proposed motion to appoint replacements.

"I believe council unity is important and I'm not sure that after a municipal election last fall, a federal election in May and a provincial election having just passed, in one year that there's an appetite for another election," MacDonald added. "I think the cost also is prohibitive, so in the end, I will support that motion."

MacSweyn also said he believed voters are aware, in making the choice for deputy mayor, that "the deputy mayor could or would be expected to step up" should the mayor leave his post for any reason.

"I have no problems with the motion whatsoever," he said.

Williams reiterated her call for an election, and was the only councillor to oppose the motion. It passed with a 3-1 vote.

Though most of the dozen members of the public in attendance were silent or otherwise welcomed the new appointments, one resident decided to make her objections known during question period.

The woman, who declined to give her name, told council that they "should have waited" to make the decision in the presence of all its members, especially for the mayor's position.

"I'm quite disappointed that you took such a huge decision (without him)," she stated. "Democracy took a big hit today."

Resident and former councillor Wendy MacPherson also expressed disappointment with the decision, noting a by-election was important as it concerned the election of three municipal representatives - including the mayor's post.

"To me, when we vote, we have essentially hired people to work for us," she told The Review. "Now, there's a small group picking the people who will work for us. Council members have forgotten they work for us. We say who that is, by voting."