Horton council has lost confidence in Mayor Dave Bennett.
At a meeting last month, council endorsed a motion of non-confidence, introduced by Coun. Tom Webster.
Citing health issues, Mayor Bennett took a leave of absence for the last three-and-a-half months of last year, returning Jan. 1.
In the motion, Webster said council has an obligation to be up-front, accountable and transparent to ratepayers. For more than a year staff and council have been compassionate regarding Bennett’s health, said Webster,
Bennett was removed from all county committees, something Webster said leaves the township without a voice at the upper tier.
In his address to council, Webster said there are major decisions to make in the near future at the county level that will require complete commitment and understanding to relay the facts to council. These include the expansion of Highway 17 and physician recruitment and the consequences of decisions will have a “huge impact” on ratepayers, said Webster.
Deputy Mayor Daina Proctor said she didn’t take the step of supporting the motion lightly, describing it as a “sad but pivotal moment” in the township’s story.
She said council’s role is to serve the township’s people with transparency, accountability and a commitment to governance, regardless of politics, personalities or personal loyalties
In the months since his return, Proctor said she has witnessed a series of decisions and actions, including a lack of communication and consultation on significant matters, that have undermined the cohesion and effectiveness of council and staff.
His absence left a leadership vacuum but since his return, challenges have only been amplified, she said.
Bennett served as mayor from 2018-2022, when he was acclaimed to the position he holds today.
Bennett asked for a recorded vote and was the sole vote against the motion (Webster, Proctor and Coun. Doug Humphries voted for and Coun. Glen Campbell was absent from the meeting). He told council he feels obligated to make sure the people of the township are looked after. He said he was under health care and in the hospital for a year and did lose a great deal of knowledge. He apologized for being away, saying it was not his decision.
He said he was well treated in the hospital and went on to say he hopes the ratepayers of Horton will make up their mind to at least listen to his side of the story.
Clerk Hope Dillabough explained the motion is an expression of council’s opinion and does not mean the mayor is removed from his seat or that there are legal consequences.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)
