Bedard, Wihnan refuse to run in byelection

Former town councillors Al Bedard and Nick Wihnan, who ran unsuccessfully in last November’s municipal election, both refused to run in the Jan. 14 byelection for the seat vacated by Coun. Tannis Drysdale.
“I will not let my name stand in an unnecessary byelection when past practice, history, establishes replacement by succession,” Bedard stated in a press release issued over the weekend.
Bedard said he feels council is “exercising a personal and prejudicial position” towards Ken Perry, who was the first runner-up last November.
“Council’s attitude ignores the precedent already established, and slaps Fort Frances voters right in the face,” Bedard charged.
“Each member of council was elected to their position on council by the vote of the people,” he added. “To deny Mr. Ken Perry his rightful domain, by the same vote, is absolutely ludicrous.”
Bedard noted Todd Hamilton sat on the same council that voted to fill the vacancy created by the death of Coun. Gilson with John Albanese, who was the highest runner-up in the previous election.
“This being the case, I wish to publicly ask Mr. Todd Hamilton to withdraw his name and let succession take place,” Bedard said.
“Although I would love to represent Fort Frances taxpayers, it is for the above reasons [of succession] that I cannot let my name stand against a candidate who, without question, should be appointed to fill the vacancy at hand.”
Wihnan, meanwhile, said in a press release that he cannot, “by virtue of past practice, enter my name in this unnecessary, expensive byelection when council ought to simply appoint the first runner-up, Mr. Ken Perry.”
“What is at stake here is clear,” said Wihnan. “[The] present council’s credibility.”
To defend his honour and credibility, Wihnan also called on Hamilton to “take the high road and withdraw his name from this foolish, unnecessary election.”
“If the situation was reversed and Mr. Hamilton had the highest runner-up total, I would not hesitate to call on the second runner-up to do the same,” he added.
“I was appointed by succession years ago and to allow my name to stand for an office, when Mr. Ken Perry should be appointed to fill this vacancy, goes against all my beliefs, especially at the expense of another election,” Wihnan concluded.