Resolution of non-confidence in mayor fails in tie vote

A proposed resolution of non-confidence in the mayor, which grew to include a myriad of municipal concerns, died in a tie vote at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

Wellington councillor Corey Engelsdorfer announced the resolution intention earlier, hinging it on resident anger about disruptions, frustrations, hardships, lack of communication and anger over the work to install underground water pipes, signage, and detours on roads in poor condition. By the time the resolution came before council Tuesday night, it also included wanting to stay the April 9 provincial government proposal for ‘strong mayor powers’; along with various other points to better share information, report on meetings and reduce financial risk and debt load.

The new issue of strong mayor powers brought forward most of the evening’s consternation, and some temper flare ups, and is expected to return to the horseshoe for discussion. If the provincial government proposal for new powers for 169 municipalities is approved, it would be effective May 1.

A non-confidence vote has no meaning at the municipal politics level, and is therefore purely symbolic, but a two hour discussion around the horseshoe ensued.

A “friendly amendment” suggested by Athol councillor Sam Branderhorst to change the directives pointing at the mayor, to “mayor and council” was supported, following much discussion about “working together”, “resetting” and “improving” as a full council responsibility, and not that of any one person, specifically the mayor.

In the end, the 7-7 vote lost on the tie. Voting in favour of the resolution were councillors Engelsdorfer with seconder Phil Prinzen; along with Roy Pennell, Brad Nieman, David Harrison, Chris Brany and Sam Branderhorst. Opposed were councillors Bill Roberts, Phil St.-Jean, Sam Grosso, John Hirsch, Kate MacNaughton, Janice Maynard and Mayor Ferguson.

Three members of the public also spoke to council, expressing dismay.

Paul Allen stated the resolution is a disservice, attacking the personal integrity of the mayor, and the CAO. He also pointed out voices in Wellington seem to be fostering anger and fear “and I’m not sure that has served your community well.”

Peter Morch stated council would have to decide if “you’re going to literally pull up the bootstraps and try and act as a cohesive group as opposed to a very dysfunctional family… I think it would be in the best interest of the community as a whole.”

Carlyn Moulton stated she was also speaking on behalf of two others unable to attend, and empathized with the frustration of the construction in Wellington, adding as well, the recent work on Hwy 62; Rednersville Road, Main Street Picton, and the Skyway Bridge on County Road 49 for six years.

“No one likes living through construction, but we’ve all had to put our big girl and big boy pants on; turn up County FM on our radio and put up with it, so that water comes out of our taps, and water leaves our homes when we flush,” she stated, adding all councillors have two functions, “communicating the concerns of the constituents to council, but also communicating the priorities and decisions of council, to the constituents.”

She said she felt the resolution was unnecessary, stressful and distracting and asked that council work together constructively “so we don’t lose any more good people than we already have”.

“We’ve all felt frustration through this term. All of us on council; the public has,” said councillor Brad Nieman. “To me this is an opportunity for council to reset… Has anybody done anything wrong? I don’t think so. I think we’ve just lost our way and we just have to get back to the centre so that we can all work together and finish this term on a positive note.”

Several councillors stated they found the resolution inappropriate.

“I find this motion divisive, unproductive and a distraction,” stated councillor Phil St.-Jean, adding the resolution wasn’t as initially pitched, and became a compilation of a number of unrelated issues. He encouraged councillors to “genuinely start talking with each other, and working for our communities.”

“What possible good for our electors, residents and visitors will follow from a vote in favour of non-confidence?” asked councillor Bill Roberts, adding virtually all the Wellington emails were directed at council as a whole… We need to ask ourselves whether the silent majority of County folk would actually celebrate the fact that our council is having this kind of personalized and targeted infight.”

Councillor Sam Grosso was adamant “this resolution is not just a waste of time, but a motion that once again tries to divide, not just council, but this great County. Let’s not allow frustration to steer us toward chaos. Let’s not turn this into a silly reality show. We owe it to ourselves and to the future Prince Edward County to move forward with purpose, not with petty politics. A team doesn’t throw their captain under the bus.”

Councillor John Hirsch added “the amount of misinformed vitriol on social media continues to astonish me. We truly are in the age of misinformation.” He said it is “simply inappropriate to leave this laundry list of grievances at the feet of the mayor…. and the whereas clauses must be accepted as fact. In this case, in my opinion, most of them are opinions, not facts.”

Introducing the resolution, Engelsdorfer stated it wasn’t about removing the head of council, division and mistrust, “and it most definitely isn’t just about Wellington. The motion before us tonight is about encouraging a better conversation among council members.”

He said his motion was “about restoring trust” then addressed Wellington, stating “residents have endured hardship since January with fragile detours, busting bedrock through the night, incessant pounding and reverberating through their homes, keeping residents awake. Businesses are suffering.”

He admitted his resolution was “loud and crude, but subtlety and nuance didn’t, and aren’t, getting through. It’s a signal to our residents and businesses that we know we can do better, and that we want to do better… I don’t want to overturn counsel, but I do want to see change.”

Councillor Kate MacNaughton stated the motion was destructive as written, had a poor tone, and was “a jumble”, but did contain constructive points to communicate better. She reminded council it also has other methods at its disposal, including calling meetings.

“We are not powerless as we might feel if we use our tools and if we opt to work together, which means no whispers in the corner; which means no rumours about other people; which means no pointing fingers; which means not blaming one person for the culture of many. I don’t believe there’s anybody at this table who wishes ill. I think there are different visions at the table… There are people who don’t read reports. There are people who, I won’t go further… But it’s really hard to come back from something like this; to publicly air that laundry, especially when we live in glass houses. Not one of us is perfect.”

Most of council, and Mayor Ferguson, agreed more could be done to enhance communication, work collaboratively and transparency.

Ferguson addressed several of the issues brought forth in the resolution, made several clarifications and overall, promoted the idea of working together, better.

“Councillor Engelsdorfer has been passionate in representing the concerns of residents and businesses in Wellington and I certainly understand his frustration,” said Ferguson. “The current infrastructure improvements in the village are creating real, albeit temporary disruptions, for residents and business owners. Like other infrastructure projects such as the six-year Skyway Bridge, and reconstruction of Picton Main Street closures, there’s inevitable inconvenience and annoyance.

“Council has heard the concerns of residents, and staff are implementing solutions to those issues. We have enhanced communications to residents through direct mailers, mail drops and print advertisements in the Wellington Times. Staff has done repairs on the signed detour route and we’re encouraging the public to use alternative detour routes.

“I do not minimize the effect being felt on the ground in Wellington and I count on the people of Prince Edward County, all of us, to continue to support the local businesses and to see the project through with our characteristic resilience and perseverance.”

The work is scheduled to be mostly complete in June.

Ferguson thanked everybody who has suffered through and pointed to some accomplishments over his past six years as mayor.

“We are now moving to next stages. We have shovels in the ground to build a new hospital, a new school, numerous housing projects, hospitality projects, road rehabilitation, and a new long-term care home.

“They will create more robust health care, housing, employment, and yes, from time to time, disruption in different locations… We need to be able to be trusted partners. We’ve seen what happens just last month with our neighbours to the south – chaos, uncertainty, tariff madness and core shifts that create a climate of distrust.

“Council members and staff must find ways to work as a team to achieve goals in the best interests of the residents and future residents and businesses of the County. Can we do better communicating? Absolutely. Can we do a better job anticipating and planning for obstacles that might arise? Absolutely.

“I will continue to fulfill my responsibilities as mayor working with council and staff to work toward achieving common goals.”

The council meeting is available to watch on the County’s YouTube channel.

County among 169 municipalities proposed for ‘strong mayor powers’

The resolution (before changing “mayor” to “mayor and council”:

Resolution from Councillor Engelsdorfer regarding a vote of non-confidence in the mayor

WHEREAS residents across Prince Edward County have expressed a high level of mistrust in the governance and direction of the municipality, in addition to the financial risk and municipal debt load associated with infrastructure spending;

WHEREAS residents and businesses of Wellington have endured hardship due to construction disruption that should have been mitigated by proper communication and outreach by the head of Council;

WHEREAS relations between staff and the head of Council have deteriorated to unhealthy levels;

WHEREAS the Mayor has not shared information related to key communications and discussions impacting the function; and future of this municipality in a timely way;

WHEREAS the provincial government announced on April 9th that it is proposing to extend strong mayor powers to 169 municipalities and to the County of Prince Edward through amendments to 0. Reg 530/22 effective May 1, 2025;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT Council has lost confidence in the Mayor’s leadership;

THAT the Mayor commit to undertaking specific measures to restore a collaborative atmosphere around the council table. These may include but are not limited to calling upon the minister to stay the May 1, 2025 extension of strong mayor powers until after the municipal election on October 26, 2025;

THAT the Mayor commit to the timely sharing of information with Council;

THAT the Mayor commit to a visible presence and regular communications with the residents and businesses enduring disruption to Main Street Wellington, and detours, and that such outreach form a template for future infrastructure projects;

THAT the Mayor commit to regular reporting to Council members of meetings he has individually with developers, legal advisors, investors and senior levels of government, and that he commits to sharing in a timely way; and

THAT the Mayor commit to reducing financial risk and reducing the municipal debt load.