Cria Pettingill appointed as Brock’s new Regional Councillor

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

BROCK: Following a thorough and transparent selection process, Councillor Cria Pettingill has been appointed as Regional Councillor for the Township of Brock, filling the vacancy, created earlier this year, when Mayor Mike Jubb was acclaimed and sworn in as Mayor.

Residents had the opportunity to see three qualified candidates present their case for the position, during a Special Council Meeting, on Wednesday, October 8th. The candidates included current councillors Lynn Campbell and Cria Pettingill, along with former Regional Councillor Ted Smith. A fourth applicant, Beaverton resident Michelle Madison, a Senior Social Worker, withdrew from the process, prior to the meeting.

The vacancy was formally declared at Council’s September 8th meeting, when members also approved a new Council Vacancy Policy, to ensure fairness and transparency in selecting a replacement. Deputy CAO and Clerk Fernando Lamanna said, the policy provided a “clear, step-by-step framework for filling vacancies,” adding, it reinforces accountability and public confidence in local decision-making.

Council explored several options to fill the seat, including a by-election, estimated at $120,000 and not feasible until late December or January. Instead, members opted for an open call for applications, a process which Councillor Claire Doble described as “a balanced approach that allowed residents to have a voice without the high cost and delay of a full by-election.”

Each of the three certified candidates delivered a five-minute presentation, outlining their qualifications and vision for the role, followed by several rounds of voting. After the first ballot, Ted Smith was eliminated, leaving Cria Pettingill and Lynn Campbell as the final two candidates.

When three consecutive ballots ended in a 3–3 tie, the Clerk proceeded to select the successful candidate by lot, as required under Section 6.4.5(d) of the Council Vacancy Policy. In this case, the process meant, each candidate’s name was placed into a hat and one was drawn at random. The name drawn was Councillor Pettingill, who was then formally appointed to the position through a resolution of Council.

“This process showed transparency and fairness at every step,” said Mayor Jubb. “It wasn’t just about filling a seat, it was about ensuring residents could trust how we do business.”

Following her appointment, Councillor Pettingill took the Oath of Office, administered by Clerk and Deputy CAO Fernando Lamanna, officially joining Regional Council for the remainder of the term, ending November 15th, 2026.

“It’s a privilege to represent Brock residents at the regional level,” said Pettingill. “I’m grateful for the confidence of my colleagues and [am] committed to working collaboratively to ensure our township’s voice is heard on the important issues [which] affect our communities.”

With Ms. Pettingill’s appointment, Brock Township Council moves closer to a full complement of members ready to continue their work on behalf of residents across the municipality.