Windsor’s newly elected mayor and city councillors will officially take office on Nov. 15, following an election that delivered a decisive change in leadership and five new faces around the council table.
But before they get down to business, the results of Monday’s municipal election must be certified by the city clerk.
In an email Tuesday afternoon, city clerk Steve Vlachodimos said he expects to certify and post the official results by Wednesday morning at the latest.
According to the unofficial results, 58,576 ballots were cast out of 183,956 eligible voters, representing a turnout of 31.84 per cent.
That’s a slight increase over the 2022 municipal election when 50,078 ballots were cast and turnout was 31.57 per cent.
Mayor-elect Fred Francis received 28,204 votes compared to 20,021 for incumbent Drew Dilkens according to the unofficial results reported by the city. (Submitted by Fred Francis)
Monday’s election saw Fred Francis defeat three-term incumbent Drew Dilkens by more than 8,000 votes while five new councillors were elected.
Francis received 28,204 votes compared with 20,021 for Dilkens according to the unofficial results reported by the city.
Speaking to supporters Monday, Francis promised to represent all Windsor residents including those who did not vote for him.
“I certainly will be in there for all Windsor residents working collaboratively with our city councillors my colleagues on city council city administration and our community partners and our partners in the county as well,” he said.
When does the new council start?
According to Vlachodimos the current council’s term ends at 11:59 p. m. on Saturday Nov. 14 with the new council officially taking office at midnight on Sunday Nov. 15.
The city has tentatively scheduled a ceremonial inaugural meeting for Monday Nov. 16 he said.
Vlachodimos said this meeting will typically happen in the evening but they haven’t confirmed an exact time or location yet.
He mentioned that their first regular council meeting where official business will take place is set for Monday Nov. 23.
Outgoing council faces limitations during transition
While preparing for a new mayor and council, restrictions apply to some decisions made by outgoing members before their term ends on Nov. 14.
Anneke Smit an associate professor at University of Windsor’s Faculty of Law and director of Centre for Cities noted that this period is known as “lame duck.”
“It’s a period of transition and legislation accounts for that,” Smit told on Tuesday.
She explained that Ontario’s Municipal Act limits outgoing councils’ authority when fewer than seventy-five percent of its members are returning
ANNEKE SMIT AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR’S FACULTY OF LAW AND DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE FOR CITIES SAYS THE MUNICIPALITY HAS ENTERED WHAT’S KNOWN AS A ‘LAME DUCK’ PERIOD (PRATYUSH DAYAL/CBC)
THE RESTRICTIONS INCLUDE CERTAIN DECISIONS INVOLVING MUNICIPAL STAFFING APPOINTMENTS PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS AND EXPENDITURES EXCEEDING $50,000
“So again expenditures and significant sort of changes in structure of municipal administration are restricted during this period,” she said
SMIT SAID THAT PROVINCE ALSO AMENDED LEGISLATION IN JULY TO ENSURE STRONG MAYOR POWERS CANNOT OVERRIDE THOSE RESTRICTIONS P >
AS FOR TRANSITION BETWEEN DILKENS AND FRANCIS SMIT EXPECTS CONTINUITY FROM ADMINISTRATION P >
“THESE ARE ELECTED POSITIONS BUT ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS FROM CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER ON DOWN THROUGH ALL OF MUNICIPAL STAFF ARE NOT CHANGING DURING THIS PERIOD,” SHE SAID.
“SO THERE IS A CONTINUITY ALTHOUGH POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IS CHANGING.” P >
“SMIT SAID THAT APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEK TRANSITION PERIOD IS RELATIVELY SHORT PARTICULARLY FOR NEWLY ELECTED COUNCILLORS WHO MUST ADJUST TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES.”SHE ALSO EXPECTS CHANGES IN HOW COUNCIL OPERATES IF FRANCIS FOLLOWS THROUGH ON HIS CAMPAIGN PROMISE NOT TO USE STRONG MAYOR POWERS.” P >
A NEW DYNAMIC AT CITY HALL
FRANCIS WILL LEAD A COUNCIL SPLIT EVENLY BETWEEN RETURNING COUNCILLORS AND NEW FACES.
( % % URL _0 % %)
The newcomers include Darcie Renaud in Ward one Chris Holt in Ward four Ken Acton in Ward five Jeremy Renaud in Ward six and Mark Masanovich in Ward ten.
( % % URL _1 % %)
Masanovich defeated incumbent Jim Morrison who was the only sitting councillor not re-elected.
Pat Papadeas co-host of Rose City Politics podcast believes these elections present an opportunity for Francis to fulfill his promise about collaborating more effectively.
” I think it’s going be really interesting council I’m really excited about it”, she remarked during Tuesday’s interview on Windsor Morning.
“Fred gets work together with lots new people which helps his message around building collaborative approaches.”
Fellow podcast host Doug Sartori pointed out while incoming councillors bring fresh perspectives they’ll face quite a steep learning curve ahead.
(%URL_1%)
)”>
The incoming councillors mean five individuals learning how things work here.” He added that no matter how much you’ve observed from outside thinking about it this role can be surprising.”
)”>
Source link
