Athena Gravelle will participate at meetings, but not vote
KAGAWONG—Billings council has given its approval to allow for a youth member of council, appointing Athena Gravelle, a township resident and student at Manitoulin Secondary School.
“I was excited when my guidance counsellor Mr. (Chris) Theijsmeijer had approached me about this,” Athena told The Expositor. “When he asked me if I was interested, I said ‘of course.’”
“This is a very good idea,” stated Councillor Michael Hunt at a council meeting last week. “It will be a good experience for the student and provides them knowledge on how the municipal council system works.”
“I would mimic the comments of my fellow councillor,” said Councillor Vince Grogan. “I think this will be a great opportunity for a youth council member and be great for council because we will be able to get a youth member point of view on issues.” He pointed out Mayor Bryan Barker had first brought this idea forward. “I look forward to having this young person on our council, where we can learn from her as well.”
Mayor Barker noted that the youth council member does not have voting privileges on motions.
“I think this is a great initiative,” said Mayor Barker. “We have been looking at ways to retain our youth in the community and get them more involved and provide a new voice on issues like climate change and politics and what is needed in the community. It will be good to have a youth perspective on issues that council will be able to hear and listen to.”
Athena, who is in Grade 11 at MSS, told The Expositor, “I already have a couple of other responsibilities that I am involved in that are similar. I am on the student council and school board senate, so I am doing this type of council work on a similar scale already.”
“I’m definitely looking forward to it,” said Ms. Gravelle. “I’m going to enjoy getting to know more about the township. And my job on student senate is to collect input and information on my peers as to ideas they may have, so will be able to bring that forward.”
Mayor Barker said he hopes other area municipalities will follow suit and appoint a youth councillor to their council. He had originally heard of this initiative at an Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference, where it was noted other municipalities have youth members on their council.
“At our September 3 council meeting we passed a resolution that a seniors advisory committee be formed to assist council with the planning of senior related projects and further that council directs staff to look into implementing a youth member of council,” said Mayor Barker at last week’s council meeting. “Staff approached Manitoulin Secondary School to see if this would be an initiative that they would like to participate in. Mr. Theijsmeijer did approach students that are residents of Billings to see if there was interest.”
“During Local Government Week (October 22-27) the school recommended Athena Gravelle for the position of youth member of council,” said Mayor Barker.
Veronique Dion, Billings CAO/clerk said, “for this to happen we need to go through our procedural bylaws to add to it and indicate the roles and responsibility the youth council member will have.” She noted, “we can do this on a yearly basis during government week (when students know their schedule for the year).”
To allow for the appointment council approved amendments to their current procedural bylaw. Under definitions, “a youth member means an individual who is enrolled as a full-time student in secondary school, is a resident of the Township of Billings and has been appointed by council to sit as a youth member of council. The youth member shall be appointed by council annually following Local Government Week through recommendation from Manitoulin Secondary School. The youth member will attend, participate and/or report in regular meetings of council for the purpose of bringing a youth perspective to council matters or discussions. Youth members shall not be permitted to move or second any resolution, nor shall the youth member be counted for the purpose of deciding a vote of the council. The youth member shall not be included in constituting a quorum of council. The term of office for a youth member shall be for one year. The youth member will not compensated with wage or per diem.”
