by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION — The make-up of Whitewater Region appears to be remaining as is for the 2018 municipal election.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin has been requesting a review, which may include a mayor, deputy-mayor, reeve and four councillors, all to be elected at-large.
Councillor Dave Mackay questioned if there needs to be another head.
“How many more heads do we need?,” he questioned. “We’re going to have too many chiefs and not enough Indians.”
Reeve Terry Millar suggested there only be five members total on council.
However, Councillor Charlene Jackson had a concern with that. She said along with attending council and committee meetings, there are “many external committees” that would require council members to attend.
“Those five people would be attending meetings every week and it could get onerous on those who work full-time,” she said.
Councillor Cathy Regier said she didn’t understand the role of a deputy-mayor.
“If the mayor is away, the reeve or any member of council can fill in,” she said. “It’s just an added salary for the deputy-mayor.
“Nobody has confirmed the difference to me. I do not see the necessity of a deputy-mayor, it’s just another level of bureaucracy.”
Coun. McLaughlin said the deputy-mayor could be appointed at the inaugural session of council.
“We should have a deputy-mayor,” he said. “The reeve should not have to take on the mayor’s position. He is busy enough with council and county council.”
He further noted it would be a good chance for a deputy-mayor to get a feeling for the mayor’s position to see if it’s a position he or she would like to run for one day.
Councillor Chris Olmstead said he saw no positive or negative about a deputy-mayor since the current mayor has only missed about two meetings in almost three years.
He also agreed it should be someone by nomination from those at the council table, not a vote at-large.
“There’s no need to give the residents the burden of another salary,” he said.
Mayor Hal Johnson said he has people telling him there is no need for a deputy-mayor, so that is how he will vote.
“I will not support the motion because of the feedback,” he said. “It’s who I represent and you represent.”
Councillor Charlene Jackson wants a deputy-mayor to be elected at-large, because if it’s someone who is appointed, it could be someone who has been on council for longest or who is “buddies with most of council.”
She noted any member of council can attend any function on behalf of the mayor.
A motion to have a deputy-mayor selected at the inaugural meeting of council, and a second motion to change the make-up of council to a mayor, reeve, deputy-mayor and four councillors, were both turned down.
