Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
ADELAIDE METCALFE – Council has officially declared a vacant seat following the resignation of Councillor Arend Noordhof and agreed to fill the position through a public selection process. The decision was made during the May 20 council meeting, where councillors discussed options outlined in a staff report presented by Clerk and Manager of Legislative Services, Michael Barnier.
The vacancy arose after Noordhof resigned from council effective May 9, citing a move outside the township. “For those that weren’t watching our last Council meeting, Councillor Arend Noordhof tendered his resignation… he moved out of the township and lives in Strathroy now and doesn’t own any other land, so he’s not eligible to be a councillor,” explained Mayor Sue Clarke.
Under the Municipal Act, council is required to declare the seat vacant at the next available meeting and must decide within 60 days how to fill it. Barnier outlined four possible approaches: holding a by-election, launching a call for public applications, appointing the next highest vote-getter from the 2022 municipal election, or making a direct appointment without a formal process.
The first option—a by-election—was quickly dismissed due to its high cost and administrative demands. “If Council does decide to go through a by-election, I’ll bring a subsequent report back outlining that whole process with the cost involved,” Barnier said, noting it would likely cost the township as much as a full municipal election.
Mayor Clarke echoed those concerns, stating, “I think, given that there’s only a year and a half left, it’s a waste of taxpayer money to hold a by-election, and it’s a lot from a capacity level for staff.” Councillors soon expressed similar views.
Councillor Mike Brodie supported a transparent and cost-effective route. “I do like the option two. It’s a very low cost… I do like the transparency of that option.” Councillor Betty Ann MacKinnon also voiced her agreement, saying, “Option two would be my choice.”
With unanimous consensus, council passed a motion selecting option two—appointment by selection process—as the method to fill the vacancy. As a result, the township will advertise the open position to the public through the Middlesex Banner and its official social media channels, inviting interested and eligible residents to apply. Applications will be reviewed and discussed during a special council meeting in July, with the successful candidate appointed to serve the remainder of the term until the 2026 municipal election.
The motion, moved by Councillor Brodie and seconded by Councillor MacKinnon, was carried without objection. Council also directed the clerk to begin organizing the selection process and related advertisements in compliance with the July 19 deadline imposed by provincial legislation.
