‘Very difficult choices’: 26 candidates vying for Richmond Hill Ward 4 councillor

Public delegates will be allowed back in the council chambers

Yorkregion.com
March 17, 2022
Sheila Wang

Richmond Hill council is expected to fill the vacant Ward 4 councillor seat on March 22 as a total of 26 candidates from all walks of life threw their hats in the ring.

Accountants, college students, business owners as well as former campaign managers are among those who are vying for the position left vacant by Mayor David West following his successful byelection in January.

The applications for candidates, which opened on Feb. 14, was closed March 15.

“It's exciting to be able to see all of the different skill sets and things that people bring to the table ... I suspect there will be some very difficult choices because I strongly expect that there will be some really excellent candidates among the group,” West said.

West’s successor in Ward 4 is expected to be appointed on March 22 at a hybrid special council meeting where eight councillors will vote for a candidate of their choice.

It will also mark the first time in two years members of the public are allowed back in the council chambers as the city reopens in-person meetings.

The candidates may choose to speak to council at the appointment meeting or submit correspondence for inclusion on the public agenda. Councillors will have an option to pre-select a set of uniform questions to be asked to all nominees.

“I would expect and hope that we would get a successful candidate that would have all the skills that are needed to do the job,” West said.

While there's little information about the applicants posted on the city's website, there are a few familiar names, including perennial candidate Carol Chan, the Village of Richmond Hill Business Improvement Area (BIA) chair Raika Sheppard, longtime resident and volunteer Scott Thompson, as well as experienced campaign manager Richard Rupp.

The mayor noted he expects the successful candidate to be strongly community-minded and love dealing with people.

Speaking from experience, West, who was appointed as the Ward 4 councillor in 2013, said the new council member needs to be able to “hit the ground running” as the current term is ending soon.

The successful applicant is expected to be sworn in to office as soon as possible and serve until the end of the term, Nov. 14, 2022.

Delegations from the public will be permitted at the appointment meeting immediately prior to the candidate presentations.

For anyone taking part in the delegation, there is the option of attending in person, electronically by video conference or by telephone. Any person who wishes to speak to council on agenda items must preregister with the Office of the Clerk by 12 p.m. the day before the meeting. Register by sending an email to clerks@RichmondHill.ca or by using the city’s online form.

Go to richmondhill.ca for the complete list of candidates.