Latest news with #SueDesjarlais
CBC
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
LaSalle council opts for $100K byelection to replace Sue Desjarlais
The Town of LaSalle has opted to hold a byelection to fill a town council seat left vacant by the passing of longtime councillor Sue Desjarlais in April. Council made the decision at a Tuesday night meeting. They reviewed options including appointments — but ultimately voted in favour of holding a byelection. The tentative date for the byelection is Oct. 20. "Council is committed to ensuring that the residents of LaSalle have a voice and the right to vote for their local government," stated LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche in a media release. "A byelection will allow our community to participate directly in selecting a new representative. It also allows fair opportunity for anyone who is eligible to run for a seat on council." Voting for the Oct. 20 byelection will take place online. The winner will only hold office for roughly a year, since municipal elections are set to take place across Ontario in October 2026. According to a report prepared by staff, it will cost the municipality about $100,000 to conduct the byelection, not including any staffing resources required. If town council had decided to appoint someone for the remainder of the term, administration says the cost would have been "minimal." "A byelection may be the most democratic option to fill the vacancy, but it will also be the most expensive, and by the time the successful candidate is elected, there will only be one year left in the term," the report stated. Desjarlais died on April 21. She was first elected to LaSalle town council in 2006.
CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
LaSalle to hold byelection to fill vacant seat
The Town of LaSalle will hold a by-election to fill a vacant seat on council. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) The Town of LaSalle will hold a byelection to fill a vacant seat on council. The seat was vacated after Coun. Sue Desjarlais passed away in April. On Tuesday evening, council voted to send LaSalle residents back to the polls rather than three provided options to appoint a new councillor. Differing opinions meant four separate votes were needed before the majority of council could agree on the path forward. 'This is probably one of the hardest decisions I think we've faced up here,' said Crystal Meloche, the town's mayor. Meloche, Deputy Mayor Michael Akpata, Coun. Jeff Renaud, and Coun. Mark Carrick voted in favour of the by-election. A byelection is expected to cost about $100,000 and take place in October.
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Runner up in previous election interested in filling vacant council seat in LaSalle
The runner up in the last municipal election in the Town of LaSalle said he's interested in the vacant seat. Brad Krewench ran in the 2022 municipal election and was just over 500 ballots short of making it on council. LaSalle council will be presented with a number of options during their meeting next week to discuss how to fill the seat. The seat was declared vacant earlier this month by council following the passing of longtime councillor Sue Desjarlais. Council will be presented with options such as holding a byelection or appointing someone. The options include appointing the runner up from the previous election, which would be Krewench, or a direct appointment by council. Krewench said he is interested in the seat and believes he would be a good fit for council if they decide to take that route. He said he's learned a lot over the years. 'I've been designing for the last 24 years, I've been in the military for the last 22 years working with children in the cadet program, and I run two successful non-profit organizations right now,' said Krewench. 'And I thought all of those skills that I've learnt over those many years would help me to fill the role in the council position with the Town of LaSalle.' Krewench said he wants to be an advocate for the community. 'I've always thought that the people that sit on council should be the voice of the members of the community, and that's what I really want to bring to the table,' he added. 'I want to make sure that when things are happening in certain areas of the town that those members of the community know what's happening.' He said regardless of who fills the seat, they have big shoes to fill. 'I've personally known Sue for a while, she helped me out with some issues with my own property and the whole bit. I know she had a very big heart for everybody in LaSalle, so whoever gets the chance to fill that seat is going to have some big shoes to fill, that's for sure,' he said. Desjarlais passed away on April 21 from an undisclosed illness. She served the town for nearly 20 years after she was first elected to council in 2006. Council will meet on Tuesday at 6 p.m. - Written by Meagan Delaurier/AM800 News.
