Beaconsfield doesn’t want byelection to replace councillor

Despite the unexpected resignation of a Beaconsfield councillor, the city is asking Quebec for an exemption from having to hold a byelection.

At the start of the council meeting Monday, Mayor David Pollock confirmed that Michael Montagano has resigned as the District 1 councillor.

The rest of council, with the lone exception of Karin Essen, voted to request an exemption from Quebec to hold a byelection considering general civic elections are slated for Nov. 3, 2013. The mayor pointed out the city is only 12 days away from being legally exempt under existing provincial rules governing byelections.

Pollock said a byelection could cost the city up to $60,000, mentioning one had to be held for District 4 this past spring following the death of Brian Ross.

During question period, Doug Smith, a former councillor and mayoral candidate, said it would be wrong for the city not to hold a byelection. “I’m not impressed that any of you would think it’s fine that District 1 could go without representation for five, six, seven, eight, nine months, whatever it is,” he told council.

“This is wrong. They need an elected person sitting there.”

After the meeting, the mayor told reporters that Montagano’s decision was based on personal reasons. He would not elaborate, only stating that a resignation letter had been sent Oct. 17.

Montagano, who had headed the city’s planning advisory committee, was serving his first term in office. He was elected in 2009.