Haldimand mayor Ken Hewitt breaks silence on Progressive Conservative nomination
Effective May 1, Haldimand Mayor Ken Hewitt will be stepping down from daily operational duties with the county to pursue a month-long provincial election campaign on behalf of the Progressive Conservative Party for Haldimand-Norfolk's seat at Queen's Park.
Hewitt addressed council and the public April 25, saying the premier's call to join his team came suddenly and unexpectedly while he was preparing for his mayoral campaign. After talking to family, he decided to accept.
Hewitt has been quiet since news broke on Apr. 20 that he, not MPP Toby Barrett, would be running in Haldimand-Norfolk (HN). Barrett, who has served as MPP for 27 years, expressed disappointment at the turn of events.
Hewitt said that he could not speak for Barrett, the premier or anyone else involved, but added that a local nomination meeting did not take place.
My preference would have been that the party hold an open nomination process, as we've always looked for in Haldimand-Norfolk," said Hewitt. I think the democratic way is to choose a candidate is through nominations, and I believe that over the years HN has suffered to that extent, to not have that kind of open meeting. Unfortunately in this case, for whatever reasons that didn't happen."
Coun. Bernie Corbett will serve as deputy mayor in his absence, and wished Hewitt luck in his endeavours.
Your leadership here, if you are chosen, will be missed," said Corbett. Thank you for the guidance you have given us."
Hewitt thanked Corbett, and said he knew it would be easy for him to fill the mayoral shoes.
Some of that comes from the inspiration of meeting you many many years ago when I first started, and getting some expertise and direction and watching you over the years has certainly inspired me, so I thank you for that," he said.
Neither the Municipal Act nor the Legislative Assembly Act require that a mayor resign while running for a seat. Should Hewitt be elected MPP, the mayoral seat will be declared vacant, and because it is an election year, a byelection cannot be called. Staff said that a current member of council would be appointed for the remainder of the term, and someone would be appointed to fill that council seat.
The county does not have a policy to address council vacancy, so staff will be forwarding a report to address the process of appointment.
Meanwhile, Hewitt said he will donate his May income to an as-yet undecided charity, attend some larger commitments and be on hand for anything necessary. While he did not confirm a possible run for mayor if he lost in the provincial election, he did end council meeting with his trademark sentimental pragmatism.
It's moved by Coun. Shirton and seconded by Coun. Patterson, that this meeting now adjourn at 6:16 p.m., and sadly, I never thought this might be the way it is and how this might be the last one, but here we are, so, all those in favour."
The motion carried unanimously.