Meet Elliot Lake's new mayor: Andrew Wannan
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In a unanimous decision from council Monday night, Elliot Lake council has to decided to fill the empty mayor’s chair with one of their own. Andrew Wannan becomes the city’s new mayor after assuming the interim role almost a year ago.
In a unanimous decision tonight from Elliot Lake City Council, the city now has a new mayor. Interim Mayor Andrew Wannan will assume the permanent role for the rest of the term after a unanimous vote by council.
“I think it’s been said on several occasions through this first year of our term, this was not really the council that this group had hoped it would be,” said Councillor Norman Mann. “Acting Mayor Wannan in the first year and to this point as well, has led us with no hesitation whatsoever and I, in no way, want to change that. I viewed him as our mayor for this last year and will for the balance of this term. Thank you for stepping up Your Worship, I look forward to working with you.”
Wannan stepped up to the role of interim mayor after the former mayor, Chris Patrie, had been removed from office for violating conflict of interest laws.
Patrie lost his appeal late last year of the court decision. The city of Elliot Lake still has yet to disclose how much was spent in legal fees throughout the ordeal.
A veterinarian, by profession, he’s been filling the role since January of last year.
“Councillor Wannan has led this team throughout the past year and we’ve had quite a few challenges throughout the year and I can’t think of a better person to lead us through the balance of this term,” said Councillor Charles Flintoff.
Last month, council members rejected the idea of a special election citing costs and decided they would be able to make the decision on their own. Provincial law dictated they had to enact a new bylaw with their decision by February 13, 2024.
