Kincardine councillor Mike Hinchberger appointed deputy mayor

Kincardine councillor Mike Hinchberger (above) has been appointed deputy mayor of the municipality.

At the council meeting Wednesday night (April 22), council declared the deputy mayor's seat vacant, following the resignation of Andrea Clarke, April 13.

Council agreed to proceed with appointing a current member of council as deputy mayor. Hinchberger and councillor Beth Blackwell put their names forward as candidates and both gave a brief presentation.

Hinchberger said he is not Clarke and would not be able to fill her shoes. However, he is prepared to bring an alternative perspective of governance, and support the mayor in the work of the municipality.

He said he understands the difference between being a councillor and being deputy mayor and his goal would be to make council as good as it can be.

Blackwell said she is not running for re-election in October's municipal election, so her bid to be deputy mayor would not be a political stepping stone. She would be supporting her fellow councillors and be a resource to council, the mayor and the community, as much as possible.

Both Hinchberger and Blackwell were nominated for the position, and Hinchberger received the most votes. He then took the declaration of office.

Council declared Hinchberger's councillor-at-large seat vacant, and proceeded with a lengthy debate on how to fill it.

It was finally agreed to accept applications from candidates who were unsuccessful in the 2022 municipal election and in the recent appointment when councillor Doug Kennedy's seat was declared vacant, as well as from former members of council from the past two terms.

Council also agreed to direct staff to bring forward a report on filling Clarke's committee appointments.