Photo of newly elected Leamington Council after the 2014 municipal election. (Photo courtesy the Municipality of Leamington.)Photo of newly elected Leamington Council after the 2014 municipal election. (Photo courtesy the Municipality of Leamington.)
Chatham

Council Filling Tragic Vacancy

Bill Dunn is going to be offered the open seat on Leamington Council, left empty by the sudden passing of Councillor Rick Atkin.

Deputy Mayor Hilda McDonald, along with the rest of council, was not in favour of a byelection to fill the spot.

"This being still so new, I really think it would be a waste of time and a waste of money if we held a byelection," says McDonald.

Councillor Tim Wilkinson was of the same mind as the deputy mayor.

"It is the best path to go. It pleases the public," says Wilkinson. "I sit with Bill Dunn on Committee of Adjustment. He does a fine job. I'd welcome him up here."

Dunn had the highest vote total of the candidates not elected in the last municipal election, finishing with 2,104; just behind Councillor John Hammond's 2,357 votes.

A resolution by council to appoint Dunn as the new councillor could be made as early as council's next meeting on May 11.

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