A recorded vote is when a councillor requests the town clerk to write down how every councillor votes on an issue. Sometimes these issues are contentious like the Crew winery sign or, at other times, the issue may mean a lot to a particular councillor so he or she requests the vote to be recorded. Here are the 12 recorded votes of 2020.
Feb 3rd National Anthem “O Canada” at the beginning of Regular Council Meetings. All Councillors in Favour.
Feb 3rd That Council consider the possibility of completing the Old Malden Road Project as part of the 2020 Budget, and direct Administration to investigate any funding options that might be available to facilitate the completion of the project in 2020. Bondy, Meloche, Verbeek in favour. Bowman, Bjorkman, Vander Doelen and Snively Opposed.
Feb 3rd That Council direct Administration to ensure that the Old Malden Road Project be included as a part of the proposed budget items for 2021. In Favour Bondy, Meloche, Verbeek, Bowman. Opposed Vander Doelen, Bjorkman and Snively ( Garon absent)
April 6th That Council discuss and have Administration look into having surveillance cameras installed at Co-An Park. All in favour.
April 6th Council of the Town of Essex resolves to donate $100,000.00 to the John R. Park Homestead Education Centre in return for a designated Tourist Information Centre named for the Town of Essex. In Favour Bondy, Bjorkman, Garon, Meloche, Snively, Bowman, Verbeek. Opposed Vander Doelen.
June 15th That the Town of Essex Council requests urgent and emergency action to be taken by all levels of government in order to support of all local farm workers, including migrant works, as it relates to COVID-19. All in favour.
August 4th That the public presentation by Elise Harding-Davis, from the African Canadian Heritage Consultant, asking Council to support the initiative to receive a formal apology from the Canadian Government to African Canadians for slavery, be received and supported and that a letter be sent to the Prime Minister of Canada in support of Ms. Harding-Davis’s initiative to seek a formal apology from the Canadian Government regarding this nation’s role in enslaving people of African origin. All in favour.
August 4th That the Town allocate staff to invite and work with Heather Taylor, Diversion Co-ordinator for the Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority to review Town of Essex facilities and its recycling efforts; and to further review ways to make improvements to our current efforts. All in Favour
August 24th That Council requests the Town of Essex Administration to implement a Council Report Tracker similar to the reporting spreadsheet used by the Town of Lakeshore. In favour Bondy, Verbeek, Garon, Meloche. Opposed Bjorkman, Bowman, Vander Doelen and Snively. Motion failed. Surprising isn’t it? What is not measured, does not get done, in my opinion!
October 5th That By-Law 1950 being a by-law regulating the erection of signs in the Town of Essex, be read a first, a second and a third time and finally passed on October 5, 2020. In favour, Snively, Bowman and Vander Doelen. Motion fails. This was the famous Crew sign file.
October 19th That Administration be directed to come back with a diversity training program for Council which includes AODA customer services standard training to ensure Council is up to date with requirements under accessibility legislation and the human rights code. All in favour.
November 2nd That the Town of Essex is strongly opposed to any further amalgamation at this time. In favour Bondy, Verbeek, Meloche, Garon, Snively and Bowman. Opposed both Ward 3 reps Bjorkman and Vander Doelen. Why? Watch the November 2nd 2020 meeting to find out!
