CENTRAL MANITOULIN—The hunt for the candidate to fill a Ward 3 (Sandfield) vacancy in Central Manitoulin is over. Council voted to appoint former Councillor Al Tribinivicius to fill the vacancy during its February 28 meeting.
The vacancy occurred when not enough candidates ran for a seat on council during the October 22, 2018 election, leaving one vacant seat.
Despite there being no vote against the appointment of Mr. Tribinivicius, one councillor did rise on a point of order to question the process.
Councillor Derek Stephens noted that the discussion on the qualification of the applicants seeking to fill the seat was originally set for the February 14 meeting, which was cancelled due to inclement weather. The decision was made to move the discussion to an Office and Administration meeting on February 26, but two councillors did not receive notice of the move.
“I checked my email and there was no agenda, so I thought there was no meeting,” said Councillor Stephens. “There was no agenda posted online. As a councillor, I don’t miss meetings.”
Councillor Angela Johnston noted that she also did not receive an agenda or notice of the meeting, but that it was a moot point for her as she would not have been able to attend in any event due to a previous commitment.
Councillor Stephens pointed out that only four councillors were at the meeting. “This on an issue that was supposed to come to this committee,” said Councillor Stephens, who suggested that the process went against the historical practice of the council, if not its procedural policy.
Mayor Richard Stephens asserted that the process did follow the council’s procedural policy. “It was only a resolution from committee,” he said. “There was plenty of opportunity to attend.”
Councillor Steve Shaffer noted that the original intent was to have the discussion take place at the February 14 meeting of council, but that meeting was cancelled. “That gave it an opportunity to go back to the committee level instead of going to council as you previously suggested.”
“Anyway, we have a recommendation from that committee and Angela did tell us she was not going to be able to attend,” said Mayor Stephens. “We have the opportunity to discuss it, if that is so desired.”
“I think we should have dealt with the integrity commissioner first,” said Councillor Stephens, who assured council and Mr. Tribinivicius that his concerns were over following a clear, open and transparent process. “I know Al and I respect Al, I know his politics,” he said. “But I would have liked to be able to interview the other applicants, to know what they stand for. I didn’t get a chance. I can’t vote on this motion. Due process was not followed.”
Councillor Dale Scott said he felt that since the Office and Administration committee meeting was scheduled and that he had an agenda, and a copy of the agenda was in Councillor Stephen’s tray in the office, and the fact that there was not a candidate in the election, it is “in the rules and regulations” to appoint someone to fill the vacancy. He noted that the process of reviewing the candidates was not scheduled to be held in a public meeting in any event. “We had all the slate, the opportunity to discuss.”
Mayor Stephens noted that the information on the potential candidates “was available to all of us.”
Following the vote to appoint Mr. Tribinivicius to fill the council position, CAO/Clerk Ruth Frawley administered the oath to the new councillor and he officially took his seat at the council table.
Following the meeting, Councillor Stephens approached Councillor Tribinivicius to welcome him to the table, shake his hand, and to assure him that his issue was solely with process and not with Councillor Tribinivicius personally or professionally.
As for his part, Councillor Tribinivicius was philosophical about the matter.
“I saw the advertisement for the opening on council and thought I could do some good there,” he said. As an experienced hand in municipal politics, Mr. Tribinivicius agreed that he would experience a learning curve that might be somewhat less than someone else in the position. “I’ve been around the block a little bit,” he smiled.
Councillor Stephens said that he had no intention of filing a challenge to the council’s new integrity commissioner, but expressed some concern that some other person might avail themselves of that avenue. “That’s where my concerns lie,” he said. “Everything has to be seen to be completely above board or you are taking a risk of being challenged.” Such challenges can wind up costing taxpayers. “That’s who I look out for,” he said.
