In January 1973. I was appointed to the Office of Mayor. Dick Illingworth had been elected in December A single meeting had been held, when he was obliged to resign because of a conlict with his civil service job. I had come in at the head of the poll in the council vote. I ran and lost to Dick for the Mayor's office in the previous election. Considering my come-back vote, there was little doubt of voter confidence.
As I remember, two councillors thought they would like the opportunity, others felt my electoral support was solid. I was appointed unanimously. Two years later I was challenged and re-elected to the Mayor's Office.
At the time of my appointment,the election was immediately behind us. A full term was ahead. I had held office previously. My competence was known. The vote was unanimous.I re-call no demannd from the public for a by-election.
Six months into the term a councillor resigned because of a change in family circumstances. His seat was filled by the runner-up who had served several previous terms.That decision was unanimous .There was no public call for a by-election.
The term of office was two years . The town had eighteen months to wait to make a different decision if ithat one displeased them They did not.
That was then. This is now.
The situation is different.. Overwhelming support continues to flow in support of a by-election. by-election.Today.until now. ten e-mails in favour,two for an appointment.
There will not be unanimous support in council for an appointment.
If a name comes forward, there will be debate. Not a desirable prospect from a candidate's perspective. With such a clear preference from the community, any person who respects the democratic process should be willing to participate in an election.
Two years and seven months remain in the present term.
Things have changed since the last election left two losing candidates for the Office of mayor and twelve for council.
The community demands the right to choose.
Aurora deserves the best. Let's not settle for less.
Friday 2 May 2008
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2 comments:
Mrs. Buck you said There will not be unanimous support in council for an appointment. That is the trouble. If Gaertner, Wilson and Granger and MacEacherin vote for an appointment, and Marakas and Buck and maybe McRoberts vote for a bi-election then the mayor can do whatever she wants which isn't fair to us taxpayers.
Even if Marsh was still here there would be four votes one way and four votes to the other side and the mayor could have it how she likes it. it is not fair at all.
You all got elected. voted in. The next person should too!
Madame Buck, clearly in 1973, the people didn't vote you for Mayor, they voted for Dick. The election prior, it was even clearer, they didn't want you for Mayor. But you accepted the position, as you should have given the wishes of the council of the day. Why is today any different? Why not accept the wishes of council - no to the by-election!
Why will you not accept that council has voted and your position is lost? To wrap yourself in the flag of public opinion and claim that you are bowing to the electorate's wishes is self serving. If the public demanded your resignation, would you resign?
I don't need to remind you that your share of the electorate's confidence has waned in the past. I predict more of the same in the future.
As for your claims that you possess competency and experience, I remind you that these qualities, like beauty, are in the eye of the beholder. Nonetheless you must agree with me that many years ago, you possessed none of these qualities and the voters took a chance on you . Why not take this same chance on another want-to-be? Perhaps if there was a by-election all the candidates would be new - unless you know something the rest of us don't!
A democratic society believes in the rule of law, and expects no less of it's elected officials. Without the rule of law, democracy is meaningless.
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