Have a say in whether Chatham-Kent council should shrink in numbers.
A public meeting will be held in council chambers at the Civic Centre Feb. 12 at 4 p.m. to collect public input regarding putting a question on the 2018 municipal ballot pertaining to reducing the size of Chatham-Kent council.
The issue came as the result of a successful motion by Chatham Coun. Doug Sulman Jan 29.
Sulman, who has served as a Chatham council member since the mid-1980s, said it is time to end “protectionism” the current ward system perpetuates with an “us” and “them” attitude regarding Chatham versus former township ward councilors. The councilor has been bringing up reducing the size of council for years since amalgamation, including a motion that was defeated in November of 2015.
If council agrees, the question “Effective the term of council beginning December 2022, the number of councillors in Chatham-Kent be reduced?” would be placed before voters during the Oct. 22 municipal election.
The full legal notice of the meeting can be found at https://www.chatham-kent.ca/News/Pages/Public-meeting-regarding-size-of-Chatham-Kent-Council.aspx.
The purpose of the public meeting is to hear any person in support or in opposition to the proposed by-law.
Written submissions can also be submitted to Judy Smith, Director Municipal Governance/Clerk, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, 315 King St. W., Chatham, Ont., N7M 5K8 or to ckclerk@chatham-kent.ca until Feb. 12 at 3 p.m.
Comments may also be contributed at https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/
According to Smith, under provisions of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended, referendum results will be binding on the municipality, subject to some exceptions, if at least 50 per cent of eligible voters vote on the question.
If this question receives a binding ‘yes’ result, Chatham-Kent council will initiate the process under the Municipal Act, 2001 to reduce the size of municipal council.
If this question receives a binding ‘no’ result, Chatham-Kent council will not consider or pass another resolution to take the necessary steps to reduce the size of municipal council during the 2018-2022 term of council.
In the last municipal election in 2014, voter turnout was only 42.1 per cent, up a small percentage from the previous election.
