Only one acclamation in area races as New Tecumseth council now ‘lame duck’

Ron Henderson 

New Tecumseth Free Press Online

Ward 2 Essa councillor Ron Henderson is the only area candidate to win his seat by acclamation after nominations closed on the Oct. 22 municipal elections, on Friday.

Final candidate lists in Adjala Tosorontio, Essa, and New Tecumseth will be certified by 4 pm today.

There are 31 candidates running in New Tecumseth, including 10 women, the highest number since amalgamation in 1991.

Adjala Tosorontio has 17 candidates, and Essa Township eight, not including the acclamation.

Of the three municipal councils, New Tecumseth is the only one that will serve out the remainder of this term in “lame duck status” because the number of incumbents running fell below the 75 per cent, or eight out of 10.

As a result, council would lose authority for:
(a) the appointment or removal from office of any officer of the municipality;
(b) the hiring or dismissal of any employee of the municipality;
(c) the disposition of any real or personal property of the municipality that has a value exceeding $50,000 at the time of disposal; and
(d) making any expenditures or incurring any other liability that exceeds $50,000.