ANNE BARR APPOINTED COUNCILLOR

Merrickville-wolford council has filled its vacant seat by appointment.

Anne Barr, a mayoral candidate in the 2022 municipal election and former councillor and deputy mayor in the municipality, has been selected to take on the role of councillor representing the Merrickville Ward.

The vacancy was declared on Jan. 30, following the resignation of Mark Oldfield, who served as deputy mayor.

The decision to appoint Barr was made on Monday, March 13. Merrickville-wolford Mayor Michael Cameron explained that four possible candidates were contacted to fill the seat and two reciprocated: Barr and Yves Grandmaitre.

"Her scope of knowledge within that ward is deep, so council had some good candidates to choose from," he noted. "We're welcoming Anne to the council table and, not to dismiss Mr. Grandmaitre, but we're looking forward to moving in a positive direction over the next four years with Anne's experience and knowledge in the village ward."

Barr will be sworn in within the next few weeks, and then council will look to appoint a new deputy mayor, Cameron added.

Barr said she was "happy and humbled" to be selected. She noted her plan is to bring many of the same values and goals she spoke about during the election to the council table.

"But recognizing that there's a difference between being mayor and being a councillor," Barr continued. "So I can still pursue those kinds of objectives, but in a supporting role and as part of a really cohesive group of people"

Her current priority is getting up to speed on the budget process, so she can "hit the ground running."