The Peterborough Examiner e-edition

Husband of late Cavan Monaghan councillor may take her seat

Bill Shaw is being considered to finish Cathy Moore’s term

BRENDAN BURKE BRENDAN BURKE IS A STAFF REPORTER AT THE EXAMINER. HIS REPORTING IS FUNDED BY THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH ITS LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE. REACH HIM AT BBURKE@METROLAND.COM.

Bill Shaw, husband of Cathy Moore, a councillor on Cavan Monaghan Township council who died in December, may be filling her vacant seat until the next municipal election on Oct. 24.

At Monday’s regular council meeting, a vacancy was declared and council decided to ask staff to find out if Shaw meets the Municipal Act’s eligibility requirements and report back to council at its next meeting Feb. 7.

Mayor Scott McFadden said he received a phone call from Shaw Monday morning a few hours before council met and Shaw expressed an interest in the opportunity to fill the Cavan Ward position.

“I cannot imagine a bettersuited individual that would fill the shoes and carry on the legacy of our councillor, Cathy Moore, and so I would highly recommend Bill Shaw to that position,” McFadden said.

“It’s been difficult for council, it’s been difficult for staff, and, most importantly, it’s been difficult for the family. I must say that phone call was certainly welcome and I was glad I took that phone call earlier today because it made a very difficult situation easier.”

The Municipal Act states if the office of a member of council becomes vacant, council must at its next meeting declare it to be vacant, except if a vacancy occurs as a result of death, said a staff report.

In that case, the declaration may be made at either of its next two meetings.

The report outlined two choices: fill the vacancy by appointing a person who has consented to accept the office if appointed, or, require a byelection to be held to fill the vacancy.

The decision to hold a byelection or appoint someone must occur within 60 days of the date of the declaration of the vacancy.

“I know each of us has put a lot into this about how we’re going to proceed,” McFadden said.

“All the procedures, all the means we can follow the Municipal Act, whether it’s an appointment, whether it’s a committee of appointments, whether it’s a bylaw election, and I’m sure there have been some sleepless nights of how we’re going to fill out our council.”

Moore also sat on the Cavan Monaghan Public Library Board and the Kawartha Region Conservation Authority Board. McFadden offered to sit on both boards to fill the vacancies and council agreed.

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2022-01-26T08:00:00.0000000Z

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