Deadlock in Deputy Mayor vote

It will be at least another two weeks before we know who the next deputy mayor of the Region of Queens will be.

Deputy Mayor Susan MacLeod’s term ends Nov. 1, and all councilors have the opportunity to be elected to the position for the next two years.

Two candidates, Heather Kelly and Jack Fancy, were put forward as contenders. A secret ballot was done to choose the next candidate, however despite doing the vote twice both times came back as a tie vote.

Council will make another attempt to choose a deputy mayor in their next meeting on Oct. 23

A decision to reduce the term of deputy mayor from two years to one year also proved to be a no go by council. Deputy mayors can serve one, two or four year terms under municipal rules, but council must vote to change the time frame. Currently the Region of Queens has two year terms, but a motion was put forward to change it to one.

However despite the interest by some councilors the vote was defeated in a tie.