Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin is giving incumbent Simcoe County Deputy Warden Barry Burton a run for his money.
Tuesday marked mid-term nomination day for County of Simcoe councillors, and Dollin will be running against Burton for the role of deputy warden for the 2020-22 term.
Burton was nominated by Penetanguishene Deputy Mayor Anita Dubeau and Ramara Township Mayor Basil Clarke.
“Barry has always been approachable and easy to talk to. Even in these times of COVID, when you call him on the phone, he’s got the time and he listens intently,” said Clarke. “That shows his character. He’s straight up-front.
“We’re in the middle of Round 2 of a pandemic and I don’t believe this is the time to change our leadership team,” he added.
Dollin was nominated by Essa Township Mayor Sandie Macdonald and Oro-Medonte Township Mayor Harry Hughes.
“Lynn brings experience of 20-plus years in municipal government,” said Macdonald, pointing to Dollin’s experience with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and as president of the Association of Municipalities Ontario from 2016 to 2018. “She is a dedicated and passionate team player.”
As incumbent Warden George Cornell ran unopposed, he was acclaimed to the position for two more years.
With council and committee of the whole currently meeting electronically, staff investigated methods that would permit councillors to cast ballots. Based on ongoing COVID-19 recommendations from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, staff did not recommend an in-person meeting for the mid-term inaugural. Staff recommended that an electronic ballot, or internet voting, be used to cast ballots for any positions subject to a vote.
County councillors will cast their votes at the end of the mid-term inaugural Dec. 8 meeting of council. Chairs and vice-chairs are also to be elected at the Dec. 8 meeting.
— With files from Bob Bruton
