Benotto returns as NVCA chair, White and Bifolchi are vice-chairs

Report fom NVCA AGM January 27, 2012

By Sandy Agnew AWARE Oro-Medonte January 30 2012

The NVCA held two back to back meetings on January 27. The first meeting closed out business for 2011. CAO Wayne Wilson provided a summary of the activities of the NVCA in 2011.

The second meeting was the Annual General Meeting which focused on the election of the Chair and first and second vice-chairs.

Melancthon Deputy Mayor Darren White challenged existing chair Shelburne Councillor Walter Benotto with Benotto coming out on top in a secret ballot vote. 

Three members were nominated for first vice-chair with Darren White declining to run, leaving the race between Brad West Gwillimbury Deputy Mayor Rob Keffer running against Wasaga Beach Councillor Nina Bifolchi. Bifolchi was the winner. Last summer Councillor Bifolchi submitted a four-page list of questions and comments that appeared to challenge the legitimacy and credibility of the work of the NVCA.  However, after receiving answers she has made no further public comment that I am aware of.

The second vice-chair position saw four members nominated with two declining, leaving Darren White running against New Tecumseth Councillor Bob Marr. This time White was the winner. 

Following the vote for Chair the custom of destroying the ballots following each vote without revealing the actual numbers was challenged by Mulmur Councillor Earl Hawkins. Several other members said they agreed with this practice. It was agreed to conform to the practice this time and revisit it in a future vote.

This practice of destroying the secret ballots is also followed at Simcoe County Council. I suppose it is intended to prevent hard feelings between members but it appears to me to simply foster the good-old-boy/girl atmosphere, especially at County Council. I believe the public has a right to know how their elected representatives voted on any issue, especially ones as important as Warden of County Council and Chair of the NVCA.

Following the main business of the meeting Abigail Burt, Quaternary Geologist, Ministry of Northern Developmen,t gave a very informative presentation about the geological study her department has been doing on the Oro Moraine.