Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens at City Hall, June 18, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens at City Hall, June 18, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
Windsor

Two Windsor city commissioners removed via strong mayor powers

There has been a shakeup in administration at Windsor City Hall.

Using strong mayor powers, Mayor Drew Dilkens has replaced two of the City's commissioners. Christopher Nepszy is out as Commissioner of Infrastructure Services and City Engineer, and Commissioner of Legal and Legislative Services Shelby Askin Hager has also been replaced.

"Their years of service are appreciated and they are wished well in their future endeavours," read a release from the City Wednesday afternoon.

Dilkens has brought back retired City Engineer Mark Winterton on an interim basis. Interim Windsor Public Library CEO Dana Paladino has been named the acting Commissioner of Corporate Services.

The mayor rounded out the City's new corporate leadership team with Janice Guthrie as treasurer and finance commissioner, Ray Mensour in community services, Andrew Daher as health and human services commissioner, and Jelena Payne in economic development.

Wira Vendrasco has also been named the Acting City Solicitor.

The corporate leadership team will operate under the direction of Chief Administrative Officer Joe Mancina.

"This realignment is about strengthening city hall and ensuring a more effective decision-making process," said Dilkens.

The City will immediately begin the process of filling the vacant commissioner spots.

Under strong mayor powers, laid out in the Ontario Municipal Act, the mayor has certain special powers and duties, which include naming and replacing select staff. According to the City's official website, Dilkens has enacted strong mayor powers ten times since mid-July.

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