PREDICTION: JULIE- ANNE HERTEIS HAS THE INSIDE TRACK FOR THE VACANT COUNCIL SEAT

The final list, after the February 16/18 deadline, is out. There are a total of eleven applicants for the Ward 1 council seat and those in the know suggest that the decision was made prior to the January 30 council meeting. It's even been suggested to me that either a council member or senior Woolwich staffer approached Julie-Anne prior to that Council meeting and induced her to apply. Obviously such a private approach if it occurred would be highly unethical and manipulative, however some of these Council members have the chops for that kind of behaviour.

The Woolwich Observer have endorsed Dr. Dan Holt for the vacancy as he was the runner-up in Ward 1 during the last election. They have also pointed out that council are opening themselves up to wide criticism if they pull a name out of a hat with no apparent rationale or reason that is in the public interest. Many of the eleven applicants are unknowns. This will likely assist council in choosing their favourite based more upon their self-interest than upon who is truly the best candidate. Obviously the 1,036 members of the public who voted for Dr. Holt in the last election felt he was the best choice. It takes a special kind of arrogance for three or four current council members to think that their wishes are more important or smarter than over a thousand citizens; but public life does that for many people.

Dr. Holt is clearly popular with citizens and just as clearly not popular with our current council, less Patrick Merlihan. Dr. Holt stood up to their undemocratic and bullying ways just under two years ago. This council are not the forgiving type. They were publicly chastised for how they treated Dr. Holt at a council meeting in 2016 regarding his registered Delegation to them and they want no part of any more principled citizens sitting with them on council. Their excuse when they choose Julie-Anne is that she's a former councillor who will get up to speed quickly. Nonsense and pathetic.