NOTL looking looking to replace library board member who resigned

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is taking a new approach in filling a vacancy on the public library board.  

On Tuesday, a selection committee to create a committee of council to find a replacement was held, with one order of business a review of a selection process used by the town, and next steps related to replacing a member of the library board who had resigned.

Last month, council received a report about the departure of Graham Bailey. Library chair Daryl Novak told The Local around that time that Bailey left his board position before chief executive officer Cathy Simpson was terminated, because he had "irreconcilable differences" with her. 

Simpson was terminated following backlash about a column she had published in another local newspaper. The library board was uncomfortable about her publishing what was perceived as a personal opinion column under her title as library CAO, and the most recent information from the board that was shared publicly was that the board was working with her on a termination agreement.

At the May council meeting, through a motion by Coun. Sandra O’Conor, it was agreed that the selection committee for committees of council take the lead in filling Bailey’s vacancy, the lone seat that is currently not filled on the library board.  

During the selection committee meeting Tuesday, clerk Grant Bivol said the town should not be taking recommendations from the library board about candidates, which was a previous process. 

His concern, he said, was that because council is responsible for approving a replacement, it shouldn’t be circulating candidates to an external body.

Interim chief administrative officer Bruce Zvaniga agreed it’s “not appropriate to hand it over to the (library) board.”  

The committee agreed to review a list of candidates already on file, but to also advertise the vacancy in local newspapers, a process Bivol said should be launched by the end of this month.  

“A lot can change in 18 months,” said Bivol, when talking about candidates who applied last time possibly no longer being available or interested.  

The committee also agreed that a second council representative being placed on the board could potentially be the end result.  

Last term, the library board had two council members but this term there is only one. The committee was told by Bivol there is only one due to there only being "one councillor that was interested.”  

Coun. Wendy Cheropita said she likes the idea of putting out a call for a new member, handled strictly by the town. “It makes the process clean and it’s the same as every other committee,” she said. “It shows well for us in the public eye.”

Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa said advertising the vacancy doesn’t mean it won’t result in a councillor being appointed.  

Once all candidates are reviewed, the town “may decide to do that,” he said in response to Coun. Sandra O’Connor's question asking if that option is in play.  

The lone politician on the library board is currently Coun. Adriana Vizzari.