Whitby council leadership is the focus of a new election questionnaire in which the three mayoral candidates describe how they would reduce conflict and improve working relationships at Town Hall.
DurhamRegion.com published the responses October 20, ahead of the October 26 municipal election. Candidates were asked how their leadership style could help repair divisions on council and were given 100 words each.
Their answers differ over the causes of friction and the best way to address it. These are the candidates’ accounts and campaign commitments, not findings from an independent review of council conduct.
Leahy favours direct conversations
Chris Leahy criticized the current administration’s approach to disagreements. He referred to a council decision to sanction him by withholding a month’s pay following what he described as a traffic-related matter.
He linked his position to efforts involving crossing guards on Dryden and lower speed limits, saying he would accept the same consequence again for those causes. That description is his explanation of the dispute, rather than a complete account of the underlying proceedings.
Leahy said he would encourage staff to raise mistakes and make room for different opinions. He also said he would not file complaints against fellow councillors, preferring to discuss disagreements directly.
Rajmohan emphasizes professional disagreement
Harshini Rajmohan said residents should not bear the consequences of personal conflicts or political disputes. Her proposed approach centres on communication, accountability and respect.
She said councillors should be able to disagree over policy while remaining professional. She would encourage open discussion, address conflicts early and ensure every member has an opportunity to contribute.
Rajmohan distinguished co-operation from unanimity: her stated goal is a council capable of respectful disagreement, not one in which every member agrees with the mayor.
Roy stresses individual responsibility
Elizabeth Roy said a mayor can influence the tone of council but each councillor remains responsible for their own conduct. She referred to repeated code-of-conduct violations addressed during the current term.
Roy said collaboration requires members to act in good faith. She proposed continuing to listen, encourage respectful debate, insist on accurate information and keep community priorities central to council’s work.
The questionnaire is distinct from the candidates’ earlier responses about their overall priorities. It concerns their proposed approach to relationships and decision-making, not a new sanction or a new finding against any councillor.
Whitby’s official municipal-election page confirms the vote is October 26 and provides links to candidate information, voting locations and the town’s Plan Your Vote tool. Residents can consult those resources when deciding how and where to participate.
Featured image: illustrative stock photo; not a photograph of the people, business, property, event or location reported.
