Wawa will soon have a new councillor: Melanie Pilon.
Wawa Municipal Council voted in a special meeting last night to appoint Pilon, filling a seat declared vacant in December, after councillor Pat Tait was promoted to mayor following Mayor Ron Rody's resignation at the end of November
Council had heard from all five candidates vying for the role - Pilon, Angela Calaiezzi, Mary Harbocian, Matthew Morrison, and Micheal Reid - with each highlighting their ties to the community and their past experience, some saying what they see as the major issues facing the community and Council, or even outlining plans for the community - economic development and housing, in particular, were mentioned multiple times throughout the presentations.
During her presentation, Pilon noted she's currently an Senior Consultant on Indigenous Relations for Bell Canada, with over fifteen years working experience in economic development - including as EDO for the Township of Dubreuilville - and is currently chair of the Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation - where she was once a youth intern - as well as vice president of the Regional Employment Help Centre, with experience volunteering with Wawa and Area Victim Services.
The presentations were followed by a Council vote, but - as no candidate received a majority - those who did not receive any votes - Calaiezzi and Harbocian - were eliminated from contention, then Morrison, Pilon, and Reid were given another opportunity to speak to Council, Pilon using that time to point out what she "brings to the table" includes a diverse voice, as an Indigenous female and a "young person".
None of the three received a majority in the subsequent vote, with Reid eliminated when lots were drawn between the two with the fewest votes.
A final round of voting was held directly after, with Pilon chosen - despite a brief moment of confusion when Clerk Cathy Cyr declared Morrison the winner, then corrected herself - with a resolution passed confirming the decision.
Pilon's appointment will be confirmed with a by-law in the February 1st Council meeting, in which Pilon will be sworn into the role, serving the remainder of the Council term, which is up in mid-November.
Following the final vote and confirming resolution, Mayor Tait again commended all the candidates for putting their names forward - noting they each have "unique qualities and experiences" - and encouraged each to run in this fall's municipal election.
Voting Results:
Round 1:
-Matthew Morrison: 2
-Melanie Pilon: 1
-Micheal Reid: 1
-Angela Calaiezzi: 0 (Eliminated)
-Mary Harbocian: 0 (Eliminated)
Round 2:
-Matthew Morrison: 2
-Melanie Pilon: 1
-Micheal Reid: 1 (Eliminated after name drawn by lot)
Round 3:
-Melanie Pilon: 3 (Declared winner)
-Matthew Morrison: 1 (Eliminated)