MAPLETON – If you've ever wanted to be a councillor in Mapleton, now could be your chance.
Mapleton Township has decided to appoint a new councillor through a call for applications after officially declaring Coun. Martin Tamlyn's seat vacant as of this Friday at a council meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
Tamlyn announced his resignation from Mapleton council in a letter last week after accepting a job as Centre Wellington's climate change coordinator.
Since the position is part of a shared service agreement with Mapleton, Tamlyn can't continue as a councillor.
"I've definitely appreciated this journey," said Tamlyn. "There's been so much to learn and such a supportive environment...and getting to understand all the intricacies and moving parts of a township, from someone who has never sat on a council before it's really incredible just to get to know that."
"This position is well suited...it is something that we all know you'll be good at just having you on council these last two years," said Mayor Gregg Davidson. "The passion you have for the environment (has shown) up in every conversation we've had...and we look forward to what you will provide us with in the future when it comes to the environment."
Appointment by a call for applications involves inviting all interested persons to apply before council chooses a preferred applicant by open vote. Examples of applications listed in a staff report include submitting a two-page personal background summary or delegating at a Mapleton council public session.
Staff recommended council appoint a new councillor by a call for applications because it may bring in more applications than the standard process and the traditional formal election process could be considered a "large commitment" for a two-year term.
A "slightly more expensive process" than direct appointment, this option is also approximately $20,000 cheaper than a byelection and means the vacancy will likely be filled sooner.
A report will return to council outlining specific procedures for implementing the chosen strategy on Oct. 8.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program
