The Town of Essex is starting to hear feedback as it looks at possibly changing the way voters elect their municipal council.
Everything is up for consideration in the review — including changing the way the deputy mayor is voted in, potentially scrapping the ward system and possibly increasing the number of councillors to eight.
The first of two public information sessions was held last night at the Essex Centre Sports Complex.
An interim report is expected in May while a final report — and decision — is expected in August.
Former deputy mayor Percy Dufour isn't worried voting for councillors at-large instead of by ward would lead to an Essex Centre-heavy council. "No, I'm not sure it would be that way. I don't think it would be that way because the rural area would still speak their piece and I think they would have a big part on what direction it takes."
Former Essex Councillor Morley Bowman feels moving away from the ward system has some disadvantages. "At large favours the elected people who are already there. It makes it much more difficult for somebody to get enough support to get on council in the first place."
Consultant Robert Williams says there will be difficulties in coming up with a solution that makes everyone happy. "Quite frankly, one of the biggest challenges will be history," says Williams. "People are used to seeing it a certain way because the boundaries basically capture municipal entities that go back a century and a half."
The second public info session is set for 6pm on Thursday (March 30th) at the Portuguese Club in Harrow.