Renfrew CAO Gloria Raybone (left)
The topic of strong mayor powers turned into an ethical puzzle that briefly stumped Renfrew town council on Tuesday night.
Town staff had prepared a letter meant for Ontario Premier Doug Ford, as well as local MPP Billy Denault and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, requesting the town be removed from the list of municipalities designated under the Strong Mayor legislation.
There was just one problem, according to Councillor Andrew Dick: the letter was to be signed by Mayor Tom Sidney, who has already used the powers to some extent.
Fellow councillors Clint McWhirter and Jason Legris would both argue that the mayor’s signature should be on the letter saying that the message to the province would be stronger if everyone rejected the strong mayor concept together.
Mayor Tom Sidney also postured in favour of eliminating strong mayor powers despite making three official decisions with them since May 1st, something Town Clerk Carolynn Errett says was unavoidable thanks to how the legislation was designed.
The group would ultimately find an acceptable compromise, turning to Chief Administrative Officer Gloria Raybone to represent the town and council as the signee.
(written by Kasey Egan)
