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Not only could the selection of the candi- date set off a domino effect of appointments or byelections. but it highlights how undemo- cratic the system of choosing the most power- ful political position in the region is. he said. Since this is the first time regional council has selected a new chairperson since Fisch was appointed to the job in 1997 and since there is a strong chance the chairperson will be elected by voters across the region beginning in 2018 if provincial legislation is changed. the dynamics of selecting a regional chairperson for this term are in the spotlight. York University political science professor Robert MacDermid said. in fact. there is a possibility of two byelec- tions if a ward councillor ran and won the regional councillor's job and then a byelection was held to replace the wand councillor. Conversely. his declared opponents for the regional chairperson’s post. Newmarket Regional Councillor John Taylor and Markham Regional Councillor Jim Jones, were re-elected in their municipalities less than two months ago. If either of them is appointed regional chairperson Dec. 11. their municipality. under provincial legislation. would have to appoint a replacement or hold a byelection to fill the vacancy. Four years ago. with his sights set on taking over York Region’s top political job if regional chairperson Bill Fisch retired. Wayne Emmer~ son announced he wouldn't seek re-election as Whitehumh-Stouffville mayor beyond October 2014. Chairperson dynamics in spotlight By “SA QUEEN (hndidatm (inn't hmm m nmx‘nnl a nnlm- BY LISA QUEEN lquecnéi’yrmgxom "I can't go to my (campaign) workers and my supponers and say I want to be mayor and six weeks later say I want to be regional chair. I think a lot of people would be upset. ‘Why did you say you wanted to be mayor if you want to be regional chair?” Emmerson said he wouldn'f have felt right running for mayor. only to tum around a few lateruand seek the chairperson’s job. For mom on this story. visit yorkreglomoom. “I put all my eggs in my basket and (said) l'm going for regional chair." he said. adding Richmond Hill Mayor Dave Barrow will nomi- nate him and Georgina Regional Councillor Danny Wheeler will second the motion. Not surprisingly, Emmerson has a difierent opinion than Taylor and Jones about whether or not a candidate for regional chairperson should have run for reâ€"election in the munici- pal elections held about six weeks before appointment of the regional chairperson. "I've been up frodi with the 'people." he said. “I'm not going for two jobs. I'm going for one: .l’ve tried my; as fair gas} {possibly can." Candidates don't have to present a politi- cal platform to residents. Instead. they lobby other regional councillors behind the scenes and voters have no idea what discussions have taken place. MacDermid said. Candidates only make a short speech before council Dec. 1 1 before the vote is taken, he said. “it's an incredibly powerful position and the fact it isn't elected seems kind of strange. Ulti- mately. ihe regional chairperson is responsible to regional politicians, not residents." he said. '5 BACK!!! OUR ANNUAL "11-15 M611? YOU BUY, m: MORE YOU SAVE” SALE - mucus: $00.01 - $50.00 AND SAVE 15%‘ $50.01 - $100.00 AND SAVE 20%' $100.01 - $150.00 AND SAVE 25%’ $150.01 - $200.00 AND SAVE 30%‘ $200.01 + AND SAVE 35%‘ BRAUN SMART CONTROL CORDED ELECTRIC SHAVER AVEENO BODY CARE GIFT PACK or NEUTROGENA NORWEGIAN FORMULA GIFT PACK ELECTRIC SHAVER m><m duck. m><m Mock. m><m nuo\o. m><m 00$. m><m uuo\o. atom. FACIAL TISSUES or PAPER TOWEL 2-Roll