HUNTSVILLE MAYOR AITCHISON TAKES LEAVE TO RUN FOR MP
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
HUNTSVILLE — Mayor Scott Aitchison is stepping aside for September and October to run for member of Parliament.
The Conservative candidate’s voluntary request for a seven-week unpaid leave of absence was granted by fellow councillors at a meeting of council Monday night, August 26, in Port Sydney.
Aitchison’s leave of absence will begin this Sunday, September 1, and end at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, October 21, the day of the election.
During his leave, deputy Mayor Karin Terziano will assume all roles and responsibilities of the mayor.
And as the alternate member to District of Muskoka council, Councillor Jonathan Wiebe will fill in for Aitchison at district council meetings.
On August 15, Aitchison sought the leave by informing the town clerk, Tanya Calleja.
There is no legislation that requires a member of municipal council to take a leave of absence to pursue a seat in federal office, says a release from the town early Tuesday afternoon.
According to the release, the Municipal Act, 2001, section 259 (1) (c) states:
“The office of a member of council of a municipality becomes vacant if the member is absent from the meetings of council for three successive months without being authorized to do so by a resolution of council.
“As the Mayor will not be absent for three successive months, he is not required under the Act to take a leave.”
As a result, Terziano will be paid the mayor’s salary per the difference between that of the mayor and deputy mayor September 1 to October 21, to address the increase in responsibilities and duties.
To read the full Staff Report on Mayor Scott Aitchison’s Leave of Absence visit Huntsville.ca
Mayor’s Remuneration:
- September 1-30, 2019 = $4,153.60 (Gross)
- October 1-21, 2019 = $2,813.65 (Gross)
- Total = $6,967.25 (Gross)
Deputy Mayor’s Remuneration:
- September 1-30, 2019 = $2,016.17 (Gross)
- October 1-21, 2019 = $1,365.75
- Total = $3,381.92 (Gross)
Difference between Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s Remuneration from September 1 to October 21, 2019:
- Total = $3,585.33 (Gross)
To read the full staff report on Aitchison’s leave of absence, visit Huntsville.ca
Independent MP Tony Clement, who was removed from the Consvervative caucus in a sexting scandal, is not running again.
Aitchison is running against Liberal Trisha Cowie, and the Green Party’s star Gord Miller, Ontario’s former Environmental Commissioner, the NDP’s Tom Young, and Michele Smith of the People’s Party of Canda.
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