Method of electing county warden and deputy warden could change
Essex County council will review how it elects it’s two leadership positions – warden and deputy warden.
Essex Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley brought forth a notice of motion during county council’s Aug. 5 meeting that will see county administration bring back a report on whether or not to make adjustments to its governance procedural bylaw.
“This notice of motion is not about any individual nor is it about any past election. It’s about strengthening our process going forward ensuring every candidate is treated fairly,” said Shepley.
This fall, and after the municipal elections, county council will vote on the two top positions. County council is comprised of the mayor and deputy mayor of each of the seven local municipalities.
Shepley is recommending that council vote on the two positions separately and that if an individual is unsuccessful in gaining the warden’s chair, he or she cannot drop down and run for deputy-warden.
“Running for an office, and then, if not successful running for another can create the perception that the second is simply a fallback position,” said Shepley.
Shepley elaborated by stating that if candidates for warden are not elected, running for deputy warden is not fair to those who have put their names forward specifically for deputy warden.
County clerk Kate Hebert said that in the past several months, she has had conversation about this procedural by-law with councillors and alternates.
“Through those conversations, there were several recommendations and opposing viewpoints at times. However, we have come up with several recommendations and will work in some options,” said Hebert.
Hebert added that upon reaching out to other upper-tier municipal governments, that there are different ways that they elect the two positions. Hebert noted that some do not have a deputy warden.
Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue asked what those others do and said it has always been his observation, including votes for union presidents, that candidates can drop down to be nominated for other positions.
In regard to Shepley’s motion, Prue said, “I won’t lose any sleep whether this goes one way or another.”
Tecumseh Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti is the current Essex County deputy warden and he agreed with Shepley’s motion.
“His proposal is just making what we’ve built around this table the next step,” said Bachetti, who is running against incumbent mayor Gary McNamara, a past warden.
Bachetti said that deputy mayors usually don’t contest for the warden position and added that Shepley’s idea is the democratic way to move forward.
Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald, the first woman warden in the history of Essex County, has indicated she will not be seeking a second term as warden.
Essex County’s warden receives a salary of $92,982 which is additional to their renumeration for being mayor in their own municipality.
During this term of county council, that salary was not increased, however the deputy warden pay was upped from $16,364 to $40,938 and councillors got a 137 percent increase from $13,302 to $31,302.
Method of electing county warden and deputy warden could change
By Fred Groves
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