By Emily Stonehouse
With the passing of long time Dysart Mayor Murray Fearrey on May 28, conversations around who is stepping into the big seat have been circulating around the community.
CAO of the Dysart et al, Tamara Wilbee, noted that there are a number of factors taken into consideration when it comes to mapping out next steps. “The first step will be to declare the mayor’s seat as vacant, and council will appoint someone to take the seat for the remainder of the term,” she said. “Dependent on who takes that seat, will determine the next step.”
Back in May of 2025, the council vacancy policy was updated by Dysart staff.
The 23-page report outlines the protocol for filling seats that have been changed, and takes into consideration the Strong Mayor Powers tied to Dysart council.
It was noted that if a vacancy occurs before March 31 of an election year, then a by-election is called. If it is filed after that date, the vacancy will be filled by appointment.
At present, two current council members have expressed interest in the role. Deputy Mayor Walt McKechnie shared that while it’s a difficult time to navigate the loss of his friend and colleague, he believes he’d make a good fit for the interim role. “I’m definitely interested,” he said. McKechnie has thrown his name in the ring for re-election as deputy mayor in the upcoming fall election. “I’ve got a lot of thoughts on this, “ he said. “The most important thing right now is to respect our dear friend and our mayor right now in these times. Then we’ve got to pull together as a team and get things done.”
McKechnie is currently serving his fourth consecutive term, with his first elected position as a Ward 5 councillor in 2010.
The other interested individual is Ward 1 Councillor Pat Casey, who has formally declared his run for mayor in the upcoming fall election. “I’m well versed in what’s going on in the township,” said Casey during a June 7 interview. “I’d like the other councillors to know I’m interested in the interim role.”
Casey noted that an opportunity to trial the position could be beneficial for his understanding of what the full responsibilities entail in the mayoral role. “I’m well versed in roads, bridges, sewers, unions,” he said. “I understand what’s going on around the council table right now, so stepping into the interim role could be good.”
This is Casey’s first term as an elected official, winning the Ward 1 position in the 2022 election.
A special meeting of council will take place on June 16 to decide next steps. “It’s a trickle down effect for them,” said Haliburton County CAO Gary Dyke, noting that if McKechnie were to step in as mayor, someone else would then need to be appointed as deputy. Both representatives would be seated at the County council table as well. “It’s a bit of dominoes.”
While Dysart has their council vacancy policy in place, their moves would dictate who sits at the County table. “Whoever they appoint, we would swear in,” confirmed Dyke. “It all happens at a local level.” There is not an additional appointment process at the higher tier table.
The mayor’s seat will be declared vacant at the June 16 meeting, which can be attended in-person or via Youtube. Following that declaration, an appointment will take place based on interest, and selected by sitting members of the lower tier.
The family of Murray Fearrey welcomed the community to his visitation last Friday, June 5. With a lineup that extended out the door of the Haliburton Community Funeral Home, Fearrey’s presence and commitment to the Haliburton Highlands were celebrated and honoured by all who attended.
