Steven Bartley (Photo from Municipality of Meaford website)
Meaford is looking to fill a vacant councillor seat after Steven Bartley resigned from his role.
Council approved declaring Bartley’s seat vacant and directing staff to bring back a report on how it can be filled during a meeting on Monday.
This comes after the municipality announced Bartley had resigned from council last week as his family plans to move to Chatsworth, outside the boundaries of Meaford.
Acting Clerk Margaret Wilton-Siegel says council has two options to fill the vacancy, either appoint a person, or call a by-election.
Members of council wished Bartley well and say he will be missed.
Coun. Rob Uhrig says, “We are saddened to see Steve step away. As a first time councillor, I can honestly say he was also a mentor, he is not only a very good councillor, but he was also a shining example of somebody who was always there to help when needed.”
Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney echoed Uhrig’s sentiments, adding she has been on council with Bartley since 2014.
“Steve I hope you are listening today and that you recognize how much your efforts over all of these years have been appreciated and please know you are going to be severely missed,” says Keaveney.
Coun. Tony Bell says he found a friend in Bartley.
“There were so many things that Steve and I shared in common that just knowing him from his previous life as running a grocery store over in Owen Sound to having someone that I could spend some time with,” says Bell.
Mayor Ross Kentner says he is convinced all of council and staff are resolved to fill the vacant seat in the most publicly transparent manner available.
“There are different options and we have to explore them to do our due diligence, but at the end of the day, we are resolved to do this work to the benefit to the municipality and to ensure that everything is totally transparent,” says Kentner.