Melinda Davie Appointed to Town of Mono Council

Melinda Davie has been appointed to fill the vacancy on the Town of Mono’s council!

On October 19, 2021, Mono council heard from ten residents contending for the vacant seat, left open by the resignation of former Mayor Laura Ryan. Mono council had chosen to fill the council vacancy through nomination and appointment. All ten candidates tendered written statements specifying their qualifications, legal and otherwise, for being on Mono council, which one can find on the town’s website. At the beginning of the meeting, Mono’s Mayor John Creelman specified that nominees were to be given up to fifteen minutes in front of council. A maximum of five minutes was given to each aspirant to present their case to councillors. The remaining time was given to councillors to ask questions. All participants in the selection, including candidates and councillors, attended the meeting virtually.

The names of the residents looking to fill the vacancy on Mono council are as follows.

Frank Flood
Chris Holdroyd
Elaine Capes
Matthew Donovan
Manjeet Thind
John Buch
Melinda Davie
Harveen Dhaliwal
Bob McCrea
Robert Bartoletta

The order of speakers was determined through a draw by Deputy Mayor Fred Nix, witnessed by the town’s clerk. Technical difficulties experienced by Robert Bartoletta resulted in him being moved from eighth to last in positioning.

Mayor Creelman began the assembly by welcoming and acknowledging the nominees undergoing the procedures.

“We are so fortunate to have such qualified and engaged members of our community step forward and be willing to serve on council for the balance of the term and hopefully consider running in the next election,” proclaimed Mayor Creelman.

Melinda Davie’s written submission shows that she moved to Mono in 2018 and has owned property in the town since 2014. Melinda Davies states that she recently retired from pediatrics, has spent seventeen years as a member of the Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal, and is currently on Mono’s Recreation Advisory Committee. Melinda Davies says she has found participating on the Recreation Advisory Committee rewarding, having volunteered at their events and getting to know community members, and is looking to serve the Town of Mono in ‘an even more substantive way.’

Listen to Melinda Davie’s address to Mono council and her response to questions at the October 19, 2021, meeting.

Melinda Davie – October 19, 2021 Council Meeting – Council Nominations

Frank Flood states in his written submission that he has lived in the Town of Mono for approximately twenty-five years. Flood is a pilot with over forty years in the airline industry, including having been the lnternational Federation of Air Line Pilots Association representative to the lnternational Civil Aviation Organization. Frank Flood told Mono council that he believes he would be helpful in tackling cumbersome files and addressing bylaw and land use issues.

Listen to Frank Flood’s address to Mono council and his response to questions at the October 19, 2021, meeting.

Frank Flood – October 19, 2021 Council Meeting – Council Nominations

Chris Holdroyd is a satire writer, while also describing himself as a political analyst to Mono’s councillors. Holdroyd’s written submission told how he had previously been a Mono councillor eighteen years ago. Holdroyd asserts he has since developed his listening skills, having assisted residents with procedural matters to present their inquiries to council, and believes he can be a voice for Mono’s residents.

Listen to Chris Holdroyd’s address to Mono council and his response to questions at the October 19, 2021, meeting.

Chris Holdroyd – October 19, 2021 Council Meeting – Council Nominations

Elaine Capes’ written submission states that she moved to the Town of Mono in 2005, having left her career in Toronto’s finance sector, to establish her consulting business, the Women Horse Owners Association, and a riding and day camp for kids. Capes details her long history as an engaged citizen of Mono and her volunteer work in the community, including being a past chair of Family Transition Place and a volunteer director of Headwaters Healthcare Foundation and is the coordinator for DC MOVES. Elaine Capes has also previously served a term as Mono councillor.

Listen to Elaine Capes’ address to Mono council and her response to questions at the October 19, 2021, meeting.

Elaine Capes – October 19, 2021 Council Meeting – Council Nominations

In his written submission, Matthew Donovan states he has lived in Mono since 2008, only leaving for four years to complete his undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Business Administration. Donovan tells that he is a portfolio manager and had previously served as treasurer for a condominium corporation. Matthew Donovan communicated that his financial acumen, in addition to familiarity with council matters, made him the best person to be appointed to fill out the remainder of the council term.

Listen to Matthew Donovan’s address to Mono council and his response to questions at the October 19, 2021, meeting.

Matthew Donovan – October 19, 2021 Council Meeting – Council Nominations

Manjeet Thind’s written submission states that she has recently moved to Mono and works in real estate. Thind told council that she wants to help take Mono ‘to the next level’ while also maintaining its roots. Manjeet Thind also wrote that she intended to represent the people of colour that live in Mono while encouraging residents to participate in the process.

Listen to Manjeet Thind’s address to Mono council and her response to questions at the October 19, 2021, meeting.

Manjeet Thind – October 19, 2021 Council Meeting – Council Nominations

In his written submission, John Buch states that he is an accounting professional who has worked in both the private and public sectors. Buch also tells how he had volunteered for a ratepayers group called the Citizens for a Better Brampton, in addition to the Lake Waseosa Ratepayers Association in Huntsville. John Buch told councillors that he has suggestions for improving the quality of life for Mono residents, such as accelerating the rollout of fibre optic internet infrastructure, in addition to rural road improvements.

Listen to John Buch’s address to Mono council and his response to questions at the October 19, 2021, meeting.

John Buch – October 19, 2021 Council Meeting – Council Nominations

Harveen Dhaliwal’s written submission states that she moved to Mono during the pandemic and told Mono councillors that she is currently working for her family’s hospitality business. Dhaliwal communicates that she has a Master’s in Public Administration and had previously undergone two runs for a seat on Brampton’s council. Dhaliwal informed council that she wishes to see more people brought into Mono to experience the small town’s amenities.

Listen to Harveen Dhaliwal’s address to Mono council and her response to questions at the October 19, 2021, meeting.

Harveen Dhaliwal – October 19, 2021 Council Meeting – Council Nominations

Bob McCrea, Chair of Mono’s Planning Advisory Committee for over twenty years, tells how he has a degree in Urban and Regional Planning in his written submission. McCrea has also been a member of the Mono’s Electoral Reform Task Force, its Committee of Adjustment, and the Mono Research Advisory Committee. McCrea also communicated how he has 35 years of experience in professional customer service. McCrea asserted that his knowledge of the town’s business and his experience performing committee work would eliminate the need for on-the-job learning during the last year of council’s term.

Listen to Bob McCrea’s address to Mono council and his response to questions at the October 19, 2021, meeting.

Bob McCrea – October 19, 2021 Council Meeting – Council Nominations

In Robert Bartoletta’s written submission, he states that he is currently retired from a career that included experience in private equity and has served on his local Rotary Club, in addition to condominium and charity boards. Bartoletta told Mono council that he would welcome the opportunity to assist ratepayers in developing policies affecting them.

Listen to Robert Bartoletta’s address to Mono council and his response to questions at the October 19, 2021, meeting.

Robert Bartoletta – October 19, 2021 Council Meeting – Council Nominations

The four Mono councillors entered a separate virtual room to place their votes. Councillors voted for one applicant only, with the appointee requiring three out of four votes. A majority of votes were not obtained by a single candidate on the first try, requiring councillors to enter a closed session to try to agree on who should fill the vacant council seat. A subsequent vote followed this, as per the procedure outlined in the town’s policy.

The town’s clerk, Fred Simpson, tabulated council’s votes and confirmed that Melinda Davie had secured enough support to be appointed to fill the vacant council seat. Members of Mono council congratulated Melinda Davie and thanked all nominees for participating.

“I want to make a point here of thanking all candidates for having gone through this process, expressing your passion about the town,” declared Mayor John Creelman. “It’s very heartening to know that so many people were prepared to step forward to indicate their desire to serve as a councillor.”

Melinda Davie will be sworn in as councillor at the next Town of Mono council meeting on October 26, 2021.

References – Melinda Davie Appointed to Town of Mono Council

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Melinda Davie Appointed to Town of Mono Council

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