Karen O’Hara to be appointed to Port Hope council

Port Hope council will be appointing Karen O’Hara to fill a council seat after it was declared vacant in mid-February.

Council will vote on her appointment at its March 6 regular meeting, the town stated on Wednesday, and if approved, she will be sworn in by the municipal clerk.

On Feb. 6, Robert Poluntnik resigned his council seat just before a report from the integrity commissioner outlining allegations of workplace harassment was presented to council.

His seat was declared vacant on Feb. 20. O’Hara previously served on Port Hope council for two terms: 2004 to 2006 and 2007 to 2010.

“When I was approached to fill the vacant seat on council, I told the clerk that it was an honour,” stated O’Hara. “I am hard-working and I firmly believe in transparency and honesty. I look forward to working with council and staff, and representing all members of this wonderful community.”

O’Hara currently serves as chairperson of the Heritage Port Hope Committee and the Heritage Incentive Advisory Committee and is a former chairperson of the Port Hope Cemetery Board. She also serves on the executive of the Northumberland Sunrise Club and is chairperson of the Santa Claus Parade and the Candlelight Christmas Committee.

She was selected to fill the seat as she was the candidate with the next highest number of votes in the 2014 municipal election for a council seat representing Ward 1. At its last meeting, council passed a resolution to ask the clerk to approach O’Hara about her interest in joining council.

Mayor Bob Sanderson says the town is pleased to fill the vacant council seat quickly and efficiently.

“We welcome Ms. O’Hara and we look forward to having her join our council,” he said. “Her experience and community engagement will certainly be an asset as we continue to work toward fulfilling our strategic objectives.”