By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
HAGERSVILLE — Less than six months after the recent municipal election where she bested former Ward 4 Councillor Tony Dalimonte with 66% of the vote, Natalie Stam has announced her resignation from Council due to unforeseen health issues.
The announcement was made at a Council in Committee meeting on March 6, with Stam’s seat declared vacant by the County. Staff are planning a report for the upcoming March 21 Council meeting on the options for filling the role.
Until the seat is filled, communication with the residents of Ward 4 will be handled through the office of Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley.
Bentley took a moment to comment on Stam’s decision, “Haldimand County wishes to express our deepest gratitude to Natalie; it takes courage to put yourself out in the public eye. Natalie is a bright person with a kind, positive outlook and will be greatly missed by Council and staff. We wish her all the best during a challenging time and want to thank her for all her contributions to Council and the community.”
Ward 2 Councillor Dan Lawrence added, “I am sorry to see Councillor Stam resign due to health concerns. I wish her well, and that she is successful getting all under control and will enjoy a good life with her family.”
Ward 1 Councillor Stewart Patterson said he enjoyed getting to know Stam while sitting beside her during Council meetings, adding, “I believe Natalie would have been an excellent councillor and a great resource for Ward 4 and the County.”
Patterson continued, “I’m glad that her priorities are in order and she is looking after her health and family first, as these are more important than any job. All the best Natalie moving forward.”
While the County hasn’t released an official plan to fill Stam’s seat, the Hagersville Chamber of Commerce has sent a letter to the County in which Chamber President Rob Phillips voiced his support for the reinstatement of former Councillor Dalimonte.
“Our Chamber appreciates the work that Natalie Stam performed in her term as Ward 4 Councillor and we wish her well in addressing and recovering from her health concerns,” Phillips began.
Knowing the two possible solutions to the problem – holding a by-election for the seat or Council appointing a replacement – Phillips posits that Dalimonte’s reinstatement is the best option.
“I know that I am speaking on behalf of both the businesses and the residents of Ward 4 when I say that the most important consideration is to fill this position as soon as is reasonably and practically possible,” he said. “With Hagersville being the second fastest growing urban area in Haldimand County, having the second highest volume fire/paramedic station in Haldimand County, and having one of the largest capital projects underway with the new Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre, it is critical that Ward 4 have representation around the Council table.”
He said that during Hagersville Chamber discussions on the matter, and as Stam and Dalimonte were the only two candidates on the ballot last fall, a “costly and time-consuming process” is not the most appropriate step forward.
“An appointment of the candidate who put their name forward, campaigned, and finished second with a significant portion (34.43% of the votes cast) to fill the position recently vacated by the elected candidate definitely satisfies the primary concerning of representation for the businesses and residents of Ward 4 in a timely and fiscally responsible manner,” concluded Phillips’ letter.
The vacancy will be discussed in more detail during Council next week. Stay tuned for updates.
