Northern Ont. town taking applications for new mayor after previous one abruptly resigns

Éric Côté resigned as the mayor of the Township of Moonbeam last week and town council has decided to fill the mayoral vacancy by appointment.

Éric Côté resigned as the mayor of the Township of Moonbeam on August 29, 2024. Côté, who was elected during the 2022 municipal election, is pictured here at the town municipal office. (Township of Moonbeam)

Côté, who had served as mayor since the 2022 municipal election, provided his letter of resignation to council on Aug. 29.

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Emergency meeting

After receiving the mayor’s resignation, council held an emergency meeting on Thursday night to discuss the town’s next steps.

The Town of Moonbeam is located along Highway 11, about an hour drive northwest of Cochrane, Ont.

An undated aerial photo of Remi Lake in Moonbeam, Ont. (Township of Moonbeam)

Taking applications for mayor

“In accordance with current procedures, the council has decided to proceed by appointment to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Côté’s departure,” said the township in a news release.

During the meeting, council officially declared the office of the mayor vacant.

“(Council) voted on a procedure for appointment to fill the vacancy on the Moonbeam city council by call for applications,” reads the release.

Hélène Le Saux Néron, previously the deputy mayor has assumed the role of acting mayor for the nomination and appointment period.

Hélène Le Saux Néron, previously the deputy mayor of the Township of Moonbeam, Ont., has assumed the role of acting mayor for the nomination and appointment period after the elected mayor suddenly resigned on August 29, 2024. Undated photo. (Township of Moonbeam)

“Her role will be to ensure the continuity of municipal affairs and a smooth transition until a new mayor is appointed,” said town officials.

“Council and town staff will continue to work diligently to serve the citizens of Moonbeam with the same commitment and passion.”

An undated photo of the welcome sign for the Township of Moonbeam, Ont. (File photo/Supplied/Township of Moonbeam)

Any resident interested in applying to be the town mayor must complete and submit the Candidate Nomination Consent Form and the Declaration of Qualifications Form to the town clerk at the municipal office on St Aubin Avenue by Sept. 11 at noon.

“Applicants must provide the clerk with a valid government-issued ID along with the (previously) noted documentation in person during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (from) Monday – Friday,” said the town in a subsequent news release.

Choosing a mayor

A special council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Sept. 18 at Chamber’s Hall in the municipal office to select an applicant for mayor.

“Certified registered candidates will have the opportunity to address council for a period not exceeding five minutes and will then be asked questions by council during the special meeting of council,” said town officials.

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More information on the vacancy and the nomination and application process can be found on the town’s website.