Chatham-Kent Council needs to replace a councillor moving on to provincial politics and will be mulling over their options on Monday night at their next meeting.
Clerk Judy Smith told CK News Today a report is going to Council on May 13, 2024 outlining the options to choose how to fill the vacant seat left by longtime councillor Steve Pinsonneault, who won the Lambton-Kent-Middlesex by-election last week.
According to the Municipal Act, Council may decide on a municipal by-election for Ward 3 or appoint someone to the seat.
Morena McDonald finished third in voting in that Ward behind Pinsonneault and current councillor John Wright.
McDonald told CK News Today she's still interested in the seat.
"I’m definitely up for it, if that’s what they decide!" said McDonald.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff previously said leaving the seat open is not an option because the next municipal general election is two and a half years away and a Council seat can't be left open for that long.
A municipal by-election usually costs $75,000-$100,000 and takes a couple of months to decide.