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Springwater councillors vote to regain authority

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In Council Watch
Jun 26th, 2020
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AWARE News Network — June 25 2020 — Springwater council voted 4-3 last week to rescind a March 25 2020 bylaw that delegated its authority to CAO Jeff Schmidt during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The return to pre-COVID 19 governance was not intended as a criticism of Schmidt, said Councillor Anita Moore, stating that she felt that he and township staff had performed admirably.

However, even if a predicted second wave of infection occurs, Moore said she feels council can react quickly to meet and make urgent decisions and all councillors should take on the responsibility they were elected to discharge.

Voting in favour of rescinding were Councillors Moore, George Cabral, Jack Hanna and Perry Ritchie. Voting against were Mayor Don Allen, Deputy Mayor Jennifer Coughlin and Councillor Wanda Maw Chapman.

The motion will not become effective until the next council meeting when the necessary bylaw is enacted, and by that time it could be “moot,” as the delegated authority bylaw lapses if Ontario ends its emergency declaration at the end of June.

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