At their November 6th, 2024, special meeting, the Municipality of Kincardine Council appointed Stellina Williams to the vacant position of Councillor Ward 1.
The vacancy came about following the passing of Councillor Doug Kennedy in August. The process for filling the role came following the adoption of the Council Vacancy Policy on September 11th, 2024. Between September 23rd and 3 p.m. on October 25th, 2024, nine candidates came forward, filing the necessary papers and declaring their intentions to serve for the remainder of the term.
Official certification of the candidates by the Manager of Legislative Services/Clerk for the Municipality, on October 30th, confirmed that all nine applicants were qualified to be in the running.
In addition to filing the paperwork, each candidate provided expressions of interest which may be seen in full as part of the agenda for the special meeting at www.kincardine.ca/SMC-Nov62024. The nine candidates were:
· Christina Bandomir
· Christopher Bianco
· Kevin Fournier
· Melville Scott McPherson
· Jason Munro
· Chandrashekhar Tripathi
· Stellina Williams
· Scott D. Wilson
. Carole Robertson
The special meeting allowed a period of up to ten minutes for each candidate to address Council. Drawing the candidates’ names randomly, each spoke in turn, elaborating upon their expressions of interest about their suitability for the role.
A difficult choice: “Running for office, whether by election or appointment, is something challenging,” commented Mayor Kenneth Craig. “These individuals took the time to put their names forward and shared their interest in making a difference to the place they call home. It was not an easy decision for Council to make, and we thank the candidates for their time and effort.”
After open deliberations, Council chose Williams as the successful applicant. Williams then took the Declaration of Office and, through the passing of a By-law, the formal appointment to the Councillor Ward 1 position became effective. The term of office runs until after the 2026 Municipal and School Board election on November 15th, 2025, when a new Council is sworn in.
“We look forward to Councillor Williams joining us for the first official Council meeting next Wednesday, November 13th, 2024,” said Mayor Craig.
“I thank Council for their confidence in appointing me, and I look forward to getting started,” said Williams after being sworn into the role of Councillor Ward 1.
