
Hamilton councillor job is too hard for general public to apply, council says
CBC
A former politician will likely be appointed to fill a Hamilton city council vacancy after councillors said their job is too hard for an ordinary citizen with no experience to do for a year.
City council voted 10-3 Wednesday to appoint someone to represent Ward 5 (Centennial), a seat left vacant after long-time councillor Chad Collins was elected Liberal MP for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek. The altnerative was a byelection.
Some councillors said because the city is about to enter complex budget deliberations, the job should go to someone with "electoral experience."
"Being a city councillor is not cutting ribbons," said Judi Partridge, Ward 15 (Flamborough) councillor.
"It's so complex and it's much more involved. It is an executive level position. There are people out there that don't understand that."
Twice in recent years, the city has appointed former politicians to fill vacancies for councillor positions, which for a councillor serving a full year paid $97,357.26 in 2018.
In 2014, former mayor Bob Morrow was appointed to serve Ward 3 (central lower city) after Coun. Bernie Morelli died. He served for about eight months.