Stratfords of the World committee appointment sparks debate at council

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Before the lengthy Nov. 25 Stratford city council meeting drew to a close, one last debate was had regarding a previous decision made by council.

At the Nov. 12 Stratford city council meeting, Joan Ayton and Susan Kummer were not granted an exemption to exceed their term limits as members of the Stratfords of the World advisory committee when a motion from Coun. Geza Wordofa failed to get a seconder and died on the floor.

Ayton and Kummer had been serving on the committee since 2015 and 2008 respectively, and were part of the committee’s work in hosting the annual international meeting between different Stratfords across the globe when representatives flocked to the Festival City just last year.

Coun. Bonnie Henderson said she was surprised the two weren’t granted an exception, given their service.

According to the policy on advisory committees, no person may serve on an advisory committee for more than three consecutive, two-year terms. There were six applicants in the most recent window to fill six seats on the committee, including Ayton and Kummer.

Many councillors like Larry McCabe and Taylor Briscoe supported general term limits and maintained the previous decision not to grant an exemption, arguing fresh eyes in a committee can help and, given that it is right after Stratford was host-city for the Stratfords of the World, this was perhaps a good time to open up the positions.

“Without some compelling reason to extend terms, I don't know the point of terms if we're just not going to bother and follow them,” Coun. Mark Hunter agreed.

Others, like Coun. Brad Beatty, were frank about their opinion on what the committee does now that it won’t be hosting a reunion, as it did last year.

“It’s not like the committee, in my opinion, does a whole lot,” Beatty said. “I’m not even sure why it’s even a committee of council.”

“I think we should not be laying the importance of individuals’ time on different committees against others,” Coun. Cody Sebben replied. “I think each of our committees have volunteers who are very valuable to the city and their time is equally valuable. Then to say otherwise, I think it's clearly just not very respectful.”

Sebben further stated that many of these advisory committees struggle to get applicants. He worries that by not admitting two dedicated volunteers, they are sending a bad message to the wider community.

Henderson, who put forward the motion, said she may have felt similarly to some of the councillors on having new people on committees, but since there were six positions available and only six people applied, she believes council should allow them to rejoin the committee.

“I know we increased that committee because of the Stratfords of the World coming here. So, whether we're considering reducing that committee, I think we need to do that, plan that, for maybe next year.”

In a recorded vote, council was split 6-5 with Sebben, Biehn, Wordofa, Henderson and Burbach supporting the failed exemption. A subsequent motion to repost the application passed unanimously, with the intention being that Ayton and Kummer could reapply.

After a question from Hunter, city clerk Tatiana Dafoe said term limits for advisory committee members are currently under review and could be changed by way of council decision.