The death of community advocate and Quinte West Councillor Terry Cassidy is still fresh in the minds of family, friends, colleagues and the community.
The Sidney Ward Councillor passed away Saturday, January 14, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Although members of council and staff are still mourning the loss of their colleague, councillors will soon have to fill the seat left vacant.
Quinte West Clerk Josh Machesney is preparing a report for council on options.
The report indicates that council must follow the rules laid out in the Municipal Elections Act.
The first thing council must do is declare the seat vacant. This needs to be done over the next few weeks, possibly at one of the next two meetings of council.
From there the act states that council has two choices. They can appoint an eligible elector in the municipality or hold a by-election.
This is not the first time the municipality has faced this decision.
Trenton Ward Councillor Sally Freeman “We first must reflect on the great person Terry was. It is difficult to be talking business, while family, friends and the community are mourning the loss of a great person. We do have time, but it is something we will be faced with. I want to hear from voters of how to proceed. How do voters in Sidney Ward feel? The first time I ran for council I was elected but I also lost bids for mayor and council. I was appointed to council, after Councillor Anderson moved away for a job. “
“We need to think about voters, about what Terry and his family would want, and what the cost of an election is. We can look at appointment or by-election and I am hoping to hear more details, although I am leaning towards by-election.”
Sidney Ward Councillor Don Kuntze knows this process all too well.
Quinte West Councillor Don Kuntze “In 2006, I finished 5th and was not elected to council.” Kuntze says, “I believe it was Terry Cassidy who motioned to have a by-election to fill the seat of the late Doreen Reid’. That’s what took place and I was elected. I became very good friends with Terry and I believe he would want the same process followed. Terry was for people, having a say and would want fair representation.”
When Doug Whitney died in May of 2015, Quinte West Council turned to Bob Wannamaker to fill the seat. Wannamaker finished sixth in voting the year earlier.
In 2018, council selected Gary Quinn to council, after Rob McIntosh stepped down to accept a job at Trent Port Marina. He finished just a few votes back in that election.
Quinte West Councillor Dave O’Neil “I want input from our voters on what their thoughts and preferences are. I have researched the options, however I do want more discussion before I finalize my vote. This is something that recently happened in Belleville as well and it was something that caused a lot of debate. I would also love to hear from Terry’s family on their thoughts and feelings.”
O’Neil is referring to the decision of Belleville Council to appoint Tyler Alsopp to fill a vacant seat, following the passing of Councillor Pat Culhane. It became heavily debated how to fill the vacancy, with council eventually selecting Alsopp to the seat. Initially an adhoc committee was created to select an applicant to be recommended to council however that decision was met with a lot of public criticism. Council elected to appoint Alsopp.
Quinte News contacted Belleville Ward Councillor Tyler Alsopp.
“When I filled the vacant seat in Belleville Ward, it was controversial to say the least. In the case of what QW Council should do I see both sides. The election was recent and the person elected will be serving close to a full term, so I understand the by-election side. Next in line also makes sense in this case, because the 5th place finisher lost by a slim margin and is also a former councillor. It would also save the cost of the election. The person could hit the ground running.,” commented Alsopp.
Results of the 2022 Quinte West – Sidney Ward election
Al Dewitt is a former councillor in Sidney Ward and finished fifth in the Sidney Ward vote this past fall.
Al Dewitt says, “The passing of Terry Cassidy is a great loss and is still fresh in all of our minds. If council decides to ask if I would become a councillor, I would accept. I feel it is an honour to serve as an elected official and with great respect I would accept the position. At this point I have not been asked by council and feel it is not the right time for me to comment further, out of respect for Terry and his family.”
Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison, “Terry was a great guy to work with, dedicated, committed, always where he had to be and he did his homework. It was a pleasure to work with him, he certainly will be missed by all the members of Quinte West Council and all the residents of the municipality. We do now have to look at what happens next to the voters that Cassidy so well served. I believe the best way to move forward is to appoint the next person in line in voting in Sidney Ward.”
Sidney Ward Councillor Shelley Stedall, ”It’s hard to believe that Terry will not be serving this term of council with us. He’s always been a pillar to our community here in the Sidney ward and his words of wisdom and respectful manner will be truly missed by me and by other members of council. My heart goes out to his family. To fill his shoes will be impossible, but to fill the council vacancy we should consider a by election as we have had in the past in Sidney Ward.”
Trenton Ward Councillor Michael Kotsovos, ” “We need some time before a decision is finalized. Council would act immediately if it was a resignation; however, Terry’s loss is fresh. “
Frankford Ward Councillor Lynda Reid, “This is still new in our minds and hearts. This is something that we will have to tackle, but we need to look at all angles. The fact that the election was so recent is a factor. If there was just a few months left in the four year term, it may be looked at differently. I want to see more angles.”
Trenton Ward Councillor Duncan Armstrong, “We have time before we have to fill the seat. We can look at a by-election or appointment and that is something I am not comfortable commenting on until council is provided more information.”
Murray Ward Councillor Jim Alyea, “Terry Cassidy was a great man and a great councillor and he will be missed. When we make a decision in regards to the seat vacancy, I do not see the need for a by-election. It would appear to me that we appoint the next person in line, once we declare the seat vacant. Belleville just went through something similar.
Murray Ward Councillor Dave McCue “This is something I want more information on. We want to do this respectfully and I want to hear from staff and council and voters more, before I make a decision.”
Trenton Ward Councillor Zack Card, “I respectfully decline to comment at this time, out of respect for Terry’s memory.”
NOTE: All members of Quinte West Council were contacted for this story, however Councillors Stedall and Boyce were not available at original time of posting. This will be updated once they are available to comment.
