Dryden mayor's failed re-election bid leaves NOMA with a vacancy

An upset in the Dryden mayor’s races has the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association in search of a new president.

Outgoing Dryden Mayor Ann Krassilowsky, elected to the NOMA post in 2007, was defeated in Monday’s municipal election by newcomer Craig Nuttal, which will automatically end her reign when she leaves office in December.

NOMA executive director Charla Robinson said it will be up the organization’s membership to first fill any vacancies on the 18-member board, then they will look within for an interim president to take on the role temporarily until their annual general meeting in April.

"We expect it will probably take a few weeks after the various municipal representatives have been appointed by their municipalities to the districts for the districts to put forward their names. It will probably be at least the end of December before we have a chance for the full slot to meet and then the board will choose from amongst its members," Robinson said.

Though it will be up to the board to choose its new leader, Robinson said there are definitive qualities they will be seeking out when they do ultimately make a decision.

"It will be up to them to decide who they feel is the right fit, has the right leadership qualities, and presumably some experience in the municipal field to be able to take over the position."
Robinson added that while recent history has seen mostly mayors and reeves elected to NOMA’s top post, it’s by no means a requirement.

Thunder Bay Coun. Iain Angus is a vice-president on NOMA’s board of directors. Outgoing Mayor Lynn Peterson, defeated by Mayor-elect Keith Hobbs on Monday, and city manager Tim Commisso are the city’s other representatives on the board.

Robinson said she’s not overly concerned that there may be a few weeks when the regional lobbying organization may be without a leadership, stating there is plenty already in place to cover the gap.

"It’s really only a matter of a couple of weeks where there won’t be an official president. We do have vice presidents who remain on the board and they will fill in in any capacity as required. We do have enough people left on the board that we do have quorum if there was a requirement for any sort of motion. We’re not a lame duck, per se."

Robinson said among the issues they’re anticipating are the release of the Northern Growth Plan, slated for public unveiling by the end of the year, non-urgent patient transport and the Endangered Species Act.