Coun. Adriana Vizzari will be representing the town on a committee to advise the region on transportation matters.

The appointment follows a decision March 8 to bar regional Coun. Andrea Kaiser from representing Niagara-on-the-Lake on the committee.

When Coun. Sandra O’Connor objected to Kaiser’s appointment due to her position on controversial plans to build a roundabout in the heart of St. Davids, council decided not to appoint the regional rep to the committee.

In addition to appointing Vizzari at its last meeting, O’Connor suggested her fellow councillor be instructed to advocate for council’s position on “any transportation initiatives.”

Council supported O’Connor, but not unanimously. 

“Are we handcuffing the councillor by saying she has to agree with everything that we say?” said Coun. Erwin Wiens.

“I want anybody who goes (to the region) to be able to listen,” he said.

The region might share information with Vizzari that town council is not privy to and she ought to be able to keep an open mind, he said.

Coun. Gary Burroughs said Vizzari ought to inform town councillors if she learns anything they are not aware of. 

Couns. Wendy Cheropita, Wiens and Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa all withheld their support when the vote was called.

Neither Cheropita nor Zalepa spoke on their reasons for voting nay. 

Niagara-on-the-Lake council has twice passed motions against the St. Davids roundabout due to a public outcry on the planned infrastructure work.