To deputize or not to deputize? The question will have to wait
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 by: Darren Taylor
Does Sault Ste. Marie need a Deputy Mayor?
City Council chose, in a recorded vote of 9-4 Tuesday night, to defer discussion of that question to March 25th.
An item on Tuesday night’s agenda was a recommendation to write a by-law, to be brought to Council for discussion at a future date, which would formally create a position of Deputy Mayor.
However, Councillor Susan Myers urged writing of any proposed by-law be put off, stating there needs to be more discussion among Council members and public consultation.
She said a report from the City Clerk’s office regarding the matter was too brief, and did not mention items such as remuneration for a Deputy Mayor.
“The more I looked into it, the more questions I had,” Myers told Council, adding the City has looked at the Deputy Mayor issue at least twice in the past.
A report from the City Clerk’s office suggests a Deputy Mayor would be appointed by council upon the recommendation of the Mayor.
Council currently operates with a system in which each Councillor takes a turn as Acting Mayor for one month of the year, if needed.
The report from the City Clerk’s office states some Councillors do not feel comfortable serving in that role, and that it is sometimes difficult to bring a rotating Acting Mayor fully up to date on key issues if the Mayor is absent.
It was recommended by the Clerk’s office and CAO’s office that a Deputy Mayor would serve in that capacity for two years, following the usual board and committee appointment process.
The City noted that many other Ontario communities have a Deputy Mayor or Acting Mayor, appointed through various ways.
Sudbury has two Deputy Mayors appointed by Council for two-year terms, one of them French-speaking. North Bay also has a Deputy Mayor, while Timmins and Thunder Bay have Acting Mayors on a rotating basis.
Burlington, Hamilton, Kingston, Ottawa, Peterborough and St. Catharines each have Deputy Mayors (in some cases more than one), appointed by Council for one-month, two-month, or annual terms, depending on the community.
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FunMan 2/20/2013 8:25:41 AM ReportWe already have a Deputy Mayor System.
Joe is Mayor/CAO and Deb is our Deputy.
Mr. Poster 2/20/2013 9:11:08 AM ReportWhy can't they just rotate through each council member if the mayor is not available? Each take a turn. We do not need any more high priced executive positions.
ThinkAgain 2/20/2013 9:23:30 AM ReportThe city doesn't need another expensive position on staff. It can't be justified.
muffin 2/20/2013 9:34:37 AM ReportNo, we don't need a Deputy Mayor and also I don't see a need for 2 councillors for each ward either. I really don't care what other cities have or do. We live and pay taxes here in the Soo and it would be nice to see no increase in taxes for a change, but I guess that's asking too much from our council.
Sleve 2/20/2013 10:04:18 AM ReportThe mayors job when John R was mayor it was a part time job, now they want a deputy ? I say one rep from each ward is required not two. Time to tighten our belt. Any yes Joe still runs the city....
newcon 2/20/2013 10:34:32 AM ReportOut source maintenance of the infrastructure and limit the CAO and Mayor to two days pay a week and let the votary take care of itself. And let's not forget a toll booth at the city limits and 17B. This city would generate huge revenue on booze runs.
Newcon
Point Blank 2/20/2013 1:11:27 PM ReportFirst, we need a mayor!
rcssm69 2/20/2013 1:15:59 PM ReportWTF?!?!?
Not the brightest bunch on this forum!!!
cjborg 2/20/2013 2:36:38 PM ReportWhy????????????? The Province, which is bankrupt, is cutting off road funding and now City Council wants to consider hiring a "Deputy Mayor".
This looks like a smart way to help keep our tax levels reasonable!!!!
sportsfan17 2/20/2013 7:20:00 PM ReportIt doesn't sound like it really creates a new position. It sounds like they just appoint one of the counselors Deputy Mayor and they step in when need be.
If that is in fact the case, it makes a lot of sense. Better to have to keep only person up to speed rather than a whole group of "rotating" mayors.
Btw, I'm glad SooToday commenters can't run for Mayor. 80% of you would likely cause the apocalypse if we let you run anything..
Boomer4771 2/21/2013 9:47:09 AM ReportA city the size of ours deffinately does not need anymore council positions. All it is is another money grab from the tax payers....What a joke this is. BRUTAL.Rotate the councellors threw the position when needed.
cjborg 2/21/2013 11:13:35 AM ReportRe Sportsfan....
Hope you aren't planning to run for City Council anytime soon... (I would think you might be one of the 80% Sootoday unqualified responders.....)
FYI...
Here is a copy of the motion for Sudbury Deputy Mayor's (2) position... you will note that the additional remuneration is show as $4,730.16 each per year. (This is in addition to Councillors regular salary.. If the Mayor is off for any valid reason the Deputy Mayor/s receive the full Mayor's salary!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
"Recommendation
That Councillors ______________and ______________ be
appointed as Deputy Mayors for the term January 1, 2013 to and
including November 30, 2014 or until their successors are
appointed.
Background
Deputy Mayors
Article 5 of the Procedure By-law provides that Council shall, by
By-law appoint two (2) of its members as Deputy Mayors to hold
office for one-half of the term of Council or until their successors
are appointed.
The Deputy Mayors act from time to time in the place of the
Mayor while the Mayor is absent or otherwise unable or unwilling
to perform the duties of that office, or when the postion of Mayor becomes vacant. Deputy Mayors also
chair the Closed Council meetings and Nominating Committee meetings. The two (2) Deputy Mayors will
Chair these meetings on a monthly rotation schedule.
When appointing Deputy Mayors, Council, in accordance with its procedural rules should take into
consideration the abilities of one of the candidates for Deputy Mayor to speak fluently in both the English
and French languages, so as to ensure that at least one Deputy Mayor is bilingual.
No Member of Council shall simultaneously serve as a Deputy Mayor and the Chair of a Standing
Committee.
These appointments will be made by resolution and then confirmed by by-law.
Remuneration
The position of Deputy Mayor is remunerated $4,730.16 per annum.
Selection
The selection of the Deputy Mayors is conducted in accordance with Section 45 of the Procedure By-law."........
guestwho 2/22/2013 3:05:03 PM ReportPoint Blank
couldn`t agree with you more,and is this just keeping up with the Jones`,too many chiefs,not good!Look what`s happening in Sudbury,fired ombudsman because he said they were acting like children.
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