East Gwillimbury Councillor Brian Johns is temporarily stepping into the role of mayor.
Johns is taking over the acting mayor and regional councillor position Dec. 1 with Mayor Virginia Hackson on a short-term medical leave of up to three months. The municipality uses a rotating acting mayor schedule, with Johns taking over the acting mayor role from fellow Councillor Scott Crone.
Johns, who also served as former Newmarket-Aurora Liberal federal riding association president and Ontario Liberal Party president, and is the CEO of both Water Ambassadors Canada and Rent to Own Canada, said that within the role, he would focus on the “momentum of progress” in East Gwillimbury.
“Collaboration with fellow councillors, engagement with community members, and advocacy for the needs of our town will be at the forefront of my agenda,” he said in a news release. “I am committed to ensuring that the interests of our residents are well-represented and that East Gwillimbury remains a vibrant and thriving community.”
Hackson has been on leave since the start of November for an undisclosed medical reason.
East Gwillimbury is in the midst of budget deliberations, with a proposed 7.7 per cent increase on its portion of property taxes, about $155 annually per household. The municipality listed budget pressures that included inflationary and contractual cost increases, growth-related cost increases, new staffing requests and service level enhancements
Johns will also serve as East Gwillimbury’s representative on regional council.
He said community input is important and invited residents to share their thoughts.
His office said in a news release that he “will remain fully accessible as always to address inquiries from the community.”
Johns will be in the role until March 31 at the latest.
