October byelection set for Windsor's Ward 2 following councillor's resignation
Runner-up in 2022 asked council to appoint him to seat as cost-effective decision
People in west Windsor, Ont., will vote for a new councillor in a byelection to replace Fabio Costante, who resigned after taking the position of CEO of the Windsor Essex Community Housing Corporation.
The Ward 2 byelection is expected to cost between $150,000 and $200,000, according to city staff.
Nominations will start on July 21 and run until Sept. 12, with an election date of Oct. 27.
Until then, Ward 2 will be represented by Mayor Drew Dilkens and the rest of council.
This term of council runs until the fall of 2026, giving the councillor about a year in the chair before a city-wide election takes place.
The runner-up in the most recent election said council should skip the byelection and appoint him to the seat.
"We must be cognizant of spending taxpayers' money," said Sam Romano.
"I understand and respect democracy, however I find it hard to justify spending up to $200,000 in these difficult times."
He said there's not enough time for someone elected to become a "functional councillor" and suggested that a rushed byelection isn't cost effective.
"The biggest fear of any appointment as I see it is the public perception of potential favouritism from this council," said Romano.
"I would be proud and honoured to service the constituents of Ward 2."
He said he respected council's decision and will run in the upcoming byelection.
Caroline Taylor said she wants council to run an election and not appoint a candidate.
"Ward 2 deserves to be treated as a democratic part of the makeup of the city. It's the cost of doing business. It's the cost of democracy," she told council.
"We deserve no less."
Windsor hasn't appointed a person to a vacant council seat since 1984, with a half-dozen byelections during those years.
Council's decision to hold a byelection was not unanimous.
"We could vet those applications and those notices, and look at their resumés. We could do that for one year," said Coun. Gary Kaschak, the lone vote against a byelection.
Coun. Jo-Anne Gignac, who supported the byelection, said voting someone on to council is "fundamental."
Dilkens said an appointment would give someone a "huge advantage" in the 2026 general election.