Meaford’s Council has appointed Eric Ennis to fill the vacant seat on council after the resignation of three term councillor Steve Bartley in early September. The appointment was made during a special meeting of council held at Meaford Hall on Tuesday, October 28.
“This process shows Council’s careful approach to decision-making,” said Mayor Ross Kentner. “Council remains focused on ensuring residents are well represented in all matters before them. We look forward to welcoming the new Councillor to the table and continuing our work on behalf of the community.”
The vacancy was declared at the September 8 council meeting. On September 22, council chose a Call for Nominees process in order to appoint a replacement for Bartley. Interested candidates applied through the municipality’s website, and four verified candidates addressed council at Tuesday’s Special Meeting; Eric Ennis, Danica Richard, Adam Vaughan, and Robert Warrilow.
After hearing prepared statements from each of the candidates, council moved into closed session in order to discuss the applicants and to decide upon an appointee.
After returning from closed session, council voted unanimously in favour or appointing Eric Ennis to the vacant council seat with a 5-0 vote. Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney did not participate in the meeting, telling those gathered for the meeting in the opera house at Meaford Hall that she had received a ‘non-violent threat’ related to one of the candidates, and she excused herself from the meeting before it began. Keaveney told council that it was her belief that the candidate, who she did not name, was not aware of the threat that had been made.
Ennis had been a candidate in the 2022 municipal election, and he finished sixth in the race for the five regular council seats with 1,620 votes.
Ennis was officially sworn in during the special meeting and will serve for the remainder of the current Council term. The next municipal election will be held on October 26, 2026.
The new councillor will participate in his first regular Council meeting on November 3, 2025.
“I’m honoured by Council’s confidence,” said Councillor Eric Ennis. “I look forward to listening, learning, and working with residents and staff on the priorities that matter most to Meaford.”
Read Eric Ennis’ Statement of Qualification and Interest at meaford.ca/councilseat.
A recording of the special meeting will be available at meaford.ca/youtube. Background on the appointment process remains posted at meaford.ca/councilseat.
