ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - SATURDAY May 28, 2011
9:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
Big Bay Point Golf and Country Club
WATER
A VITAL CONNECTION
Panel speakers:
Beverley Else, founder of Celebrate Lake Simcoe
Dr. William Shotyk, Professor of Geochemistry at the University of Heidelberg in Germany and founder of the Elmvale Water Festival
Jeff Monague, teacher & councillor, Beausoleil First Nation
Darren White, Deputy Mayor of Melancthon Township and a leader in the fight against the Mega-Quarry
Agenda includes - 9:30-10:15 Nominations and Election of Directors
- 10:30-11:45 Panel discussion
- 12 noon-12:30 New business, open forum, networking
Refreshments provided, including home-baked goodies
BRING A FRIEND!
More info: t 705-812-0643, email: aware.simcoe@gmail.com
http://www.aware-simcoe.ca/
https://twitter.com/AWARESimcoe
DIRECTIONS: 3912 30th Sd/Rd & Big Bay Point Road in Innisfil - 705-436-1378 From Painswick (Hwy 11 South of Barrie) go East on Big Bay Point Road to stop sign at 25th Sd/Rd. Turn left and follow almost to the end and then turn left on 30th Sd/Rd.
HELP US MAKE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENT, ACCOUNTABLE & RESPONSIBLE
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Springwater Council after the Honeymoon
The Springwater councillors have now been exposed to the numerous training and orientation sessions pertaining to the various activities that they were elected to oversee. Most are doing well and I would say only one councillor appears to be struggling with reading the many reports prior to the meetings. The reason for this observation is the questions from this councillor typically make no reference to the reports provided and normally come from left field. Being a councillor takes at least twenty hours of week if not more. I am sure the councillor can adjust over time.
On a positive note, for the most part the Councillors are doing their homework and challenging the things they should, especially in matters where hundreds of thousands of dollars are being spent. The new councillors challenge and question the reports with good questions in a very respectful manner. There is a tendency for the returning members of council and the new deputy mayor to lean toward what staff thinks is right rather than engaging in the debate and moving the township forward. Springwater has a competent staff and provide good input, but the direction must come from the elected officials which is starting to happen.
One example from the April 18th council is the discussion on the request for a new fire truck for close to a quarter of a million dollars. The existing truck is about 20 years old has 45,000 km and according to the chief can be put back into top operating shape for about $5,000 and might last another 4 years. Councillors Hanna, Webster, McConkey and Ritchie all asked appropriate questions that were not really answered. The threat of an unsubstantiated increase in residential insurance rates and the possibility of losing a special deal swayed the McConkey and Ritchie vote with only Hanna and Webster seeking a deferral of the resolution until more information was brought forward. The motion to purchase the $238,000 vehicle was supported by all members of council except Hanna and Webster. First of all the age of the trucks is only one part of the weighting factors for changing the fire insurance protection rating of a municipality. Proximity, number of firefighters and training have more impact on rates than the trucks. The second point that this was a special deal is baseless. Every specialty equipment manufacturer’s orders have been down for the last 3 years. To retain key staff and keep operating the companies are building a variety of products on speculation and if this deal goes by, I can assure you there is a better one not far down the road. A proper report of the actual insurance rating impact should have been received before approving the purchase. I feel the council prematurely approved a huge expenditure which may have been delayed a few years reducing our tax bill without compromising the safety and security of the residents.
The good news is that the second request for a new snowplow truck, again just shy of a quarter of a million dollars, was deferred with a good scenario presented by Councillor Webster where he challenged public works to rethink the way they have historically done their plow routes. This is why we have councilors to represent our interests. Kudos to Webster for his idea. That doesn’t mean it will work but the fact that it is being considered is positive.
The most detailed and thorough report, with no missing gaps, was from Ron Belcourt the Director of Recreation. I know Ron knows where all the bodies are buried in Springwater but his complete analysis of the cost of township supplied lawn maintenance versus subcontracting is one of the best reports I have seen presented to council in the last 5 years. I took some of his numbers, and I have done a lot of this analysis in my career, and I was within a few dollars of his calculations. If every manager provided information as Ron did, the council meetings would be easy. I am sure we will see more reports like that from the key staff, as it makes a councillor much more confident in their decision making.
I am still dissatisfied with the lip service given to public transparency at the council meetings, which all candidates promised to institute during the election. Providing a time at the end of the council meetings after the adjournment is not transparency. There is no requirement for the comments to be recorded in any official minutes. The public comment and question session should be a limited time within the actual council meeting, not outside of the meeting.
Even though it may surprise some, I disagree with the fact that council did not include themselves in the modified salary increases as somewhere down the road there will be a huge adjustment. The two tiered percentage increase system council adopted for this year is creative and allows the lower salaried groups who have been most hard hit with HST and gas increases a little more income, while limiting the increases at the higher income levels where it is not felt as much. I also do not agree with a total cutoff of the provided food for long meetings for either staff or councillors working into the evening hours after spending a good part of the day in meetings.
But enough of that. The good news is that this is a fairly cohesive and dynamic council with many differing positions which is quite healthy and adds to the dialogue and debate. Gone is the groupthink mentality of the last three councils. Bullying would not bode well with this group I can assure you. The mayor even though frustrated at times, because of the many questions, allows the members to speak and has been able to keep control which is a feat in itself. This council is being cautious of spending which is a good lesson for all levels of government.
So far so good would be my assessment.
On a positive note, for the most part the Councillors are doing their homework and challenging the things they should, especially in matters where hundreds of thousands of dollars are being spent. The new councillors challenge and question the reports with good questions in a very respectful manner. There is a tendency for the returning members of council and the new deputy mayor to lean toward what staff thinks is right rather than engaging in the debate and moving the township forward. Springwater has a competent staff and provide good input, but the direction must come from the elected officials which is starting to happen.
One example from the April 18th council is the discussion on the request for a new fire truck for close to a quarter of a million dollars. The existing truck is about 20 years old has 45,000 km and according to the chief can be put back into top operating shape for about $5,000 and might last another 4 years. Councillors Hanna, Webster, McConkey and Ritchie all asked appropriate questions that were not really answered. The threat of an unsubstantiated increase in residential insurance rates and the possibility of losing a special deal swayed the McConkey and Ritchie vote with only Hanna and Webster seeking a deferral of the resolution until more information was brought forward. The motion to purchase the $238,000 vehicle was supported by all members of council except Hanna and Webster. First of all the age of the trucks is only one part of the weighting factors for changing the fire insurance protection rating of a municipality. Proximity, number of firefighters and training have more impact on rates than the trucks. The second point that this was a special deal is baseless. Every specialty equipment manufacturer’s orders have been down for the last 3 years. To retain key staff and keep operating the companies are building a variety of products on speculation and if this deal goes by, I can assure you there is a better one not far down the road. A proper report of the actual insurance rating impact should have been received before approving the purchase. I feel the council prematurely approved a huge expenditure which may have been delayed a few years reducing our tax bill without compromising the safety and security of the residents.
The good news is that the second request for a new snowplow truck, again just shy of a quarter of a million dollars, was deferred with a good scenario presented by Councillor Webster where he challenged public works to rethink the way they have historically done their plow routes. This is why we have councilors to represent our interests. Kudos to Webster for his idea. That doesn’t mean it will work but the fact that it is being considered is positive.
The most detailed and thorough report, with no missing gaps, was from Ron Belcourt the Director of Recreation. I know Ron knows where all the bodies are buried in Springwater but his complete analysis of the cost of township supplied lawn maintenance versus subcontracting is one of the best reports I have seen presented to council in the last 5 years. I took some of his numbers, and I have done a lot of this analysis in my career, and I was within a few dollars of his calculations. If every manager provided information as Ron did, the council meetings would be easy. I am sure we will see more reports like that from the key staff, as it makes a councillor much more confident in their decision making.
I am still dissatisfied with the lip service given to public transparency at the council meetings, which all candidates promised to institute during the election. Providing a time at the end of the council meetings after the adjournment is not transparency. There is no requirement for the comments to be recorded in any official minutes. The public comment and question session should be a limited time within the actual council meeting, not outside of the meeting.
Even though it may surprise some, I disagree with the fact that council did not include themselves in the modified salary increases as somewhere down the road there will be a huge adjustment. The two tiered percentage increase system council adopted for this year is creative and allows the lower salaried groups who have been most hard hit with HST and gas increases a little more income, while limiting the increases at the higher income levels where it is not felt as much. I also do not agree with a total cutoff of the provided food for long meetings for either staff or councillors working into the evening hours after spending a good part of the day in meetings.
But enough of that. The good news is that this is a fairly cohesive and dynamic council with many differing positions which is quite healthy and adds to the dialogue and debate. Gone is the groupthink mentality of the last three councils. Bullying would not bode well with this group I can assure you. The mayor even though frustrated at times, because of the many questions, allows the members to speak and has been able to keep control which is a feat in itself. This council is being cautious of spending which is a good lesson for all levels of government.
So far so good would be my assessment.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Who will pay off the debt?
It will be difficult to decide who to vote for in this election. The parties promise similar spending habits with some more agressive than others.
No one talks about how to pay down the long term debt that now represents a debt owing by every man woman and child to the tune of about $16,500 per person. That is in addition to the personal debt of over extended Canadians.
Ask your candidate how they will not only retire the deficits of the last number of years and the ones projected for the next 5 or 6 years. Ask them how they plan to reduce the over 2/3's of a trillion dollar nation debt that grows every minute.
To view Canada's national debt go to this link.
http://www.debtclock.ca/ticker/widget.html
No one talks about how to pay down the long term debt that now represents a debt owing by every man woman and child to the tune of about $16,500 per person. That is in addition to the personal debt of over extended Canadians.
Ask your candidate how they will not only retire the deficits of the last number of years and the ones projected for the next 5 or 6 years. Ask them how they plan to reduce the over 2/3's of a trillion dollar nation debt that grows every minute.
To view Canada's national debt go to this link.
http://www.debtclock.ca/ticker/widget.html
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Inadvertant Creation of Poverty
First of all the mayor and councillors did a thorough job of vetting the budget for Springwater and did so in a prudent manner. I have no quarrel with the process or the results for the most part. However, the Springwater budget and the County’s future direction are unfairly burdening the low income families and their lower assessed properties with a higher proportion of the tax.
Let me explain the overall impact on your township portion of the 2011 tax bill. If you own a $400,000 dollar home you will pay $19.00 less; a $300,000 home $17 more; and if you are at the bottom of the heap trying to make ends meet with a $200,000 home you will pay almost $53 more. How does that make sense?
Part of the problem comes from the way the Springwater policing charges are being assessed in 2011. In the past everyone paid a $70 flat fee plus a mill rate based on property assessment. In 2010 you paid the following for policing based on assessment value, $155.11 for $200,000 home; $197.66 for a $300,000 home; $240.22 for a $400,000 home and $282.77 for $500,000 home. People with more disposable income in their $500,000 home paid about $130 more than someone in a $200,000 home. Sounds fair? In 2011 everyone will pay $194 regardless of assessed value. The new system adds a $40 burden to those that typically lack the means and are on fixed income, while those that have plenty will save almost $90. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I attended some of the budget meetings and heard the discussion and actually agreed with the logic that everyone should know what policing costs. I did not think of the actual impact of a flat rate approach on those that are less fortunate.
Both the Township and County appear to heading towards more user fee based systems rather than factoring it into the mill rate (sounds like a typical downloading scheme that we have seen with both the Federal and Provincial Governments). This will destroy those at the lower end of the scale as they will be overburdened with added costs. They already have less because of the impact of HST on the necessities of life such as heating and electricity. Everyone seems to punish them for being less fortunate. Does that mean that in the future road maintenance, snow plowing and recreation buildings will be fully funded by flat rate charges on the tax bill rather than part of the mill rate? That is definitely a departure from the concept of a cooperative community based tax system.
Keep an eye on Waste Management at the County as they move to a $2 per bag fee in 2012 rather than the costs being absorbed as part of the general tax bill. Again those at the bottom will pay proportionately more than those that can actually afford it.
I suggest you contact the Mayor, Deputy Mayor or your councillor and ask them to revisit their move to separate charges on tax bills for various services. Services such as policing and waste collection should be provided within an overall tax mill rate. Our country was built on the concept that those that have will subsidize those that do not. Picking up on a line from Michael Jacob’s last editorial in the Springwater News, I believe we are our brother’s keeper.
Let me explain the overall impact on your township portion of the 2011 tax bill. If you own a $400,000 dollar home you will pay $19.00 less; a $300,000 home $17 more; and if you are at the bottom of the heap trying to make ends meet with a $200,000 home you will pay almost $53 more. How does that make sense?
Part of the problem comes from the way the Springwater policing charges are being assessed in 2011. In the past everyone paid a $70 flat fee plus a mill rate based on property assessment. In 2010 you paid the following for policing based on assessment value, $155.11 for $200,000 home; $197.66 for a $300,000 home; $240.22 for a $400,000 home and $282.77 for $500,000 home. People with more disposable income in their $500,000 home paid about $130 more than someone in a $200,000 home. Sounds fair? In 2011 everyone will pay $194 regardless of assessed value. The new system adds a $40 burden to those that typically lack the means and are on fixed income, while those that have plenty will save almost $90. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I attended some of the budget meetings and heard the discussion and actually agreed with the logic that everyone should know what policing costs. I did not think of the actual impact of a flat rate approach on those that are less fortunate.
Both the Township and County appear to heading towards more user fee based systems rather than factoring it into the mill rate (sounds like a typical downloading scheme that we have seen with both the Federal and Provincial Governments). This will destroy those at the lower end of the scale as they will be overburdened with added costs. They already have less because of the impact of HST on the necessities of life such as heating and electricity. Everyone seems to punish them for being less fortunate. Does that mean that in the future road maintenance, snow plowing and recreation buildings will be fully funded by flat rate charges on the tax bill rather than part of the mill rate? That is definitely a departure from the concept of a cooperative community based tax system.
Keep an eye on Waste Management at the County as they move to a $2 per bag fee in 2012 rather than the costs being absorbed as part of the general tax bill. Again those at the bottom will pay proportionately more than those that can actually afford it.
I suggest you contact the Mayor, Deputy Mayor or your councillor and ask them to revisit their move to separate charges on tax bills for various services. Services such as policing and waste collection should be provided within an overall tax mill rate. Our country was built on the concept that those that have will subsidize those that do not. Picking up on a line from Michael Jacob’s last editorial in the Springwater News, I believe we are our brother’s keeper.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Springwater Council – moving forward
I want to correct a misperception I may have created in my last posting. Councillors Webster, McConkey and Hanna approached me at the last council meeting and mentioned that I left the impression in my last article that this council was focused on percentage in the budget deliberation. This is not true. There was a brief discussion at one of the early budget meetings on whether a simple percentage approach should be taken and it was rejected. The new Springwater Council has went through the line items and are cutting costs where possible and at the same time trying to avoid any service delivery disruption. They will be tabling the budget at the next meeting and I am sure the residents will appreciate the thoroughness of the process. When I reread my posting I realized I failed to separate the process that was used by the County and the Township. The County was more focused on the percentage approach. My point in the budget process is that it should only include what is needed to meet the needs of the tax payer. It should not include unneeded expenditures such as outside consultants doing the work that staff are paid to do or that could be done with key stakeholders and volunteers in the community. The council in the budget deliberation has been very effective in this area and should be congratulated.
With 5 of the members of Springwater Council being new, they did an excellent job at the 2011 budget and I am sure next year will improve their efforts and give us more value for our hard earned tax dollars. A positive move on this front was from Councillor Jack Hannna who suggested the establishment of a budget committee at the Feb 7th Council meeting under Items for Future Consideration. It received support from the other councilors which illustrates there is an eagerness by all to better serve the residents of Springwater from a fiscal perspective. This Council is getting things done by planning ahead and the addition of the Items for Future Consideration on every Council Agenda is quite effective in having new ideas brought forward. It prompts the council to think into the future. It is subtle, but you are now seeing a council driven agenda rather than a staff led exercise which I find quite refreshing
I was also pleased that the Council has passed a resolution to allow the Elmvale Foodbank to move to the unoccupied Knox Building and use the old Council Chambers. This should have been undertaken by the past council as the need was stated clearly in a deputation last May.
My next comment is truly a personal perspective and is not a concern for most people. Councillor McConkey asked about adding a public portion to the Items for Future Consideration section of the agenda before the closed session part of council. Deputy Mayor McLean and Councillors Webster and Clement spoke against the idea and were not interested in opening the actual council agenda up to open dialogue which I find disappointing. I think the reasons stated for not doing it were weak and not well discussed as few people attend the meetings. The good news is that there is an opportunity to ask questions and make comments at the end of the meeting after the adjournment which I guess will suffice for most people. Wasaga Beach have used an open 15 minute question period in the body of the Council Agenda for some time and have not encountered any of the fears expressed by Deputy Mayor Dan McLean. I do find the council position a little disappointing and contrary to what everyone stated at the public debates during the election campaign.
I also have one minor complaint which is easily corrected and was probably a simple oversight. I addressed a point to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Council via email. Two councilors phoned me and we discussed the issue which is great. The disappointment is that the written response I received which told me things I already know, which I found condescending, was provided by staff. If correspondence is addressed to council it should be responded by someone from council and most likely the Mayor. If it is a highly technical issue than the response from the elected official should say something to the effect that the matter was referred to that person, but the response should come from the elected official. If you check the correspondence that the council received on their agenda at the Feb 7th meeting, Premier Dalton McGuinty provided a written response to a letter from the Mayor and Council regarding the specimen collection issue in Elmvale. That is common courtesy.
I know this council has only been at it for 3 months and still in the honeymoon stage but it is great to see individual ideas are encouraged and yet still able to retain a common purpose of doing what is best for the Township of Springwater. I hope when we start addressing the real challenges such as growth and development that this council will dedicate the same energy to those important and difficult issues.
Council can only be as responsive to the needs of the residents of Springwater, if they know what they are. Come to the Council and Planning Committee meeting as that is where the future of Springwater is shaped. If you cannot do that email or write to your councilor and tell then what you think is important in your area. Far too few of us speak up and simply grumble behind the scenes. That is not effective or productive.
Since I follow it diligently, I know that we do have a council, that I think can get the job done and has a lot of fresh ideas and few personal agendas. That is what we wanted and that is what we got. I can only hope that the openness I have seen with the individuals remains for the next 44 months. Effective councils will have a healthy level of conflict. That is good as it challenges the individuals to do their job and not rest on their laurels. They can only do that, if they are held accountable and yes supported in those things that matter.
Keep abreast of what is going on in Springwater. It is our community, so let’s be part of the solution.
With 5 of the members of Springwater Council being new, they did an excellent job at the 2011 budget and I am sure next year will improve their efforts and give us more value for our hard earned tax dollars. A positive move on this front was from Councillor Jack Hannna who suggested the establishment of a budget committee at the Feb 7th Council meeting under Items for Future Consideration. It received support from the other councilors which illustrates there is an eagerness by all to better serve the residents of Springwater from a fiscal perspective. This Council is getting things done by planning ahead and the addition of the Items for Future Consideration on every Council Agenda is quite effective in having new ideas brought forward. It prompts the council to think into the future. It is subtle, but you are now seeing a council driven agenda rather than a staff led exercise which I find quite refreshing
I was also pleased that the Council has passed a resolution to allow the Elmvale Foodbank to move to the unoccupied Knox Building and use the old Council Chambers. This should have been undertaken by the past council as the need was stated clearly in a deputation last May.
My next comment is truly a personal perspective and is not a concern for most people. Councillor McConkey asked about adding a public portion to the Items for Future Consideration section of the agenda before the closed session part of council. Deputy Mayor McLean and Councillors Webster and Clement spoke against the idea and were not interested in opening the actual council agenda up to open dialogue which I find disappointing. I think the reasons stated for not doing it were weak and not well discussed as few people attend the meetings. The good news is that there is an opportunity to ask questions and make comments at the end of the meeting after the adjournment which I guess will suffice for most people. Wasaga Beach have used an open 15 minute question period in the body of the Council Agenda for some time and have not encountered any of the fears expressed by Deputy Mayor Dan McLean. I do find the council position a little disappointing and contrary to what everyone stated at the public debates during the election campaign.
I also have one minor complaint which is easily corrected and was probably a simple oversight. I addressed a point to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Council via email. Two councilors phoned me and we discussed the issue which is great. The disappointment is that the written response I received which told me things I already know, which I found condescending, was provided by staff. If correspondence is addressed to council it should be responded by someone from council and most likely the Mayor. If it is a highly technical issue than the response from the elected official should say something to the effect that the matter was referred to that person, but the response should come from the elected official. If you check the correspondence that the council received on their agenda at the Feb 7th meeting, Premier Dalton McGuinty provided a written response to a letter from the Mayor and Council regarding the specimen collection issue in Elmvale. That is common courtesy.
I know this council has only been at it for 3 months and still in the honeymoon stage but it is great to see individual ideas are encouraged and yet still able to retain a common purpose of doing what is best for the Township of Springwater. I hope when we start addressing the real challenges such as growth and development that this council will dedicate the same energy to those important and difficult issues.
Council can only be as responsive to the needs of the residents of Springwater, if they know what they are. Come to the Council and Planning Committee meeting as that is where the future of Springwater is shaped. If you cannot do that email or write to your councilor and tell then what you think is important in your area. Far too few of us speak up and simply grumble behind the scenes. That is not effective or productive.
Since I follow it diligently, I know that we do have a council, that I think can get the job done and has a lot of fresh ideas and few personal agendas. That is what we wanted and that is what we got. I can only hope that the openness I have seen with the individuals remains for the next 44 months. Effective councils will have a healthy level of conflict. That is good as it challenges the individuals to do their job and not rest on their laurels. They can only do that, if they are held accountable and yes supported in those things that matter.
Keep abreast of what is going on in Springwater. It is our community, so let’s be part of the solution.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Township and County Missed Opportunities
I was pleased that a few more people were out for the January 24th Springwater Council meeting. You can see that the councilors are beginning to build their confidence and taking charge of their responsibilities. I have great hopes for this council and I think they may take our township to a much more successful level over the next 45 months.
At Monday’s meeting the only thing that I thought was shortsighted or not fully explored was the response to a simple request for a donation to the Annual Simcoe County Plowing Match that is being held in Beeton in August. There was a request for a $300 donation as the previous council had made in the past. I appreciate the focus on controlling costs but I can guarantee there is an easy $300 to save in administrative costs that could be better utilized supporting the core part of Springwater’s economy, farming. Mayor Collins was the only person to speak against the motion to turn down the request. I am surprised that councillors, Ritchie, Webster and McConkey did not support the request as many of their constituents are farmers. I should also chastise the author of the request as it was addressed “To Whom it may Concern”. If the Plowmen’s Association hasn’t taken the time to know the new council members, then maybe they don’t deserve the support. Common courtesy would have the letter and request addressed to mayor by name and the council as a whole. One good piece of news is that there is now an open session at the end of each council meeting for the public to ask questions. This is your chance to bring issues to the floor for future consideration. I hope our two County Representatives, the mayor and deputy mayor suggest a similar procedure at the County Meetings.
The other matter that concerns me, both at the township and county level, is the focus on the percentage increase in spending rather than the actual expenditures. Springwater Councillors have been doing a good job at questioning the line items which I find refreshing, but there is still too much focus on making the decision based on percentage. I agree that most people will be pleased with a 1.5% increase in their overall taxes, but in business we always strived for lower costs year over year. There are continually new technologies that assist in improving efficiencies, better ways of doing things such as a continuous improvement programs that can ultimately deliver the same quality of services at a much lower prices therefore reducing the overall operation of the township. I don’t think there is a lot to find in savings for those people that actually do the work like plowing our roads, keeping our recreation facilities in order, or protecting our safety, but as business has discovered in the last ten years, bureaucracy needs to be the focus and reduced. Council may feel they have done their job by holding taxes to a 1.5% increase, but did they really do the complete job? They can be excused this year as a budget has to be finalized and time is of the essence. I just hope next year they really look into all aspects of the cost of running this corporation. There are many capable minds on this council that have the business background and experience to do so.
I attended the Simcoe County Council Meeting on January 25th and it was also a refreshing change with a new attitude. There was little condescension, negative comment or people simply pushing their agendas. Many good questions and comments were forthcoming and I was pleased to see Mayor Collins and Deputy Mayor McLean engaged which is no easy task as they are new on this 32 person council. The previous council definitely lost the respect of the general populace because of the arrogance and high pressure tactics of both the head of council and a few bureaucrats during the Site 41 fiasco. The quarter million dollar public relations campaign did very little to fix it. One thing that would have went a long way to heal some of the ill feelings was missed at the meeting. Ray Millar the Tiny Mayor tabled a motion to add Gord McKay the Midland Mayor to the Waste Management Committee. The committee positions were appointed when McKay was absent. Gord is one of the most well read and researched person on the council when it comes to understanding the big picture of waste strategy. The motion was defeated as the old guard that supported Site 41 still has a lot of influence which is not conducive to rebuilding trust. This could have been a giant step forward and provided a new voice and perspective on this pressing issue.
It is important that we make ourselves aware of the actions of council. In 2011 over $20,000,000 will be spent by the Township of Springwater and over $400,000,000 by the County. Most of that comes out of our pocket.
We are the shareholders of these operations. If we do not engage, or ask questions then we have no right to complain. Come out to a few Springwater Council and County of Simcoe Council meetings and see how your elected representative is working for you.
At Monday’s meeting the only thing that I thought was shortsighted or not fully explored was the response to a simple request for a donation to the Annual Simcoe County Plowing Match that is being held in Beeton in August. There was a request for a $300 donation as the previous council had made in the past. I appreciate the focus on controlling costs but I can guarantee there is an easy $300 to save in administrative costs that could be better utilized supporting the core part of Springwater’s economy, farming. Mayor Collins was the only person to speak against the motion to turn down the request. I am surprised that councillors, Ritchie, Webster and McConkey did not support the request as many of their constituents are farmers. I should also chastise the author of the request as it was addressed “To Whom it may Concern”. If the Plowmen’s Association hasn’t taken the time to know the new council members, then maybe they don’t deserve the support. Common courtesy would have the letter and request addressed to mayor by name and the council as a whole. One good piece of news is that there is now an open session at the end of each council meeting for the public to ask questions. This is your chance to bring issues to the floor for future consideration. I hope our two County Representatives, the mayor and deputy mayor suggest a similar procedure at the County Meetings.
The other matter that concerns me, both at the township and county level, is the focus on the percentage increase in spending rather than the actual expenditures. Springwater Councillors have been doing a good job at questioning the line items which I find refreshing, but there is still too much focus on making the decision based on percentage. I agree that most people will be pleased with a 1.5% increase in their overall taxes, but in business we always strived for lower costs year over year. There are continually new technologies that assist in improving efficiencies, better ways of doing things such as a continuous improvement programs that can ultimately deliver the same quality of services at a much lower prices therefore reducing the overall operation of the township. I don’t think there is a lot to find in savings for those people that actually do the work like plowing our roads, keeping our recreation facilities in order, or protecting our safety, but as business has discovered in the last ten years, bureaucracy needs to be the focus and reduced. Council may feel they have done their job by holding taxes to a 1.5% increase, but did they really do the complete job? They can be excused this year as a budget has to be finalized and time is of the essence. I just hope next year they really look into all aspects of the cost of running this corporation. There are many capable minds on this council that have the business background and experience to do so.
I attended the Simcoe County Council Meeting on January 25th and it was also a refreshing change with a new attitude. There was little condescension, negative comment or people simply pushing their agendas. Many good questions and comments were forthcoming and I was pleased to see Mayor Collins and Deputy Mayor McLean engaged which is no easy task as they are new on this 32 person council. The previous council definitely lost the respect of the general populace because of the arrogance and high pressure tactics of both the head of council and a few bureaucrats during the Site 41 fiasco. The quarter million dollar public relations campaign did very little to fix it. One thing that would have went a long way to heal some of the ill feelings was missed at the meeting. Ray Millar the Tiny Mayor tabled a motion to add Gord McKay the Midland Mayor to the Waste Management Committee. The committee positions were appointed when McKay was absent. Gord is one of the most well read and researched person on the council when it comes to understanding the big picture of waste strategy. The motion was defeated as the old guard that supported Site 41 still has a lot of influence which is not conducive to rebuilding trust. This could have been a giant step forward and provided a new voice and perspective on this pressing issue.
It is important that we make ourselves aware of the actions of council. In 2011 over $20,000,000 will be spent by the Township of Springwater and over $400,000,000 by the County. Most of that comes out of our pocket.
We are the shareholders of these operations. If we do not engage, or ask questions then we have no right to complain. Come out to a few Springwater Council and County of Simcoe Council meetings and see how your elected representative is working for you.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
First Council Meeting of 2011
I attended the first Springwater Council Meeting of 2011 on Monday January 10.
This is a different council and my impression from the meeting is that they are not a bunch of puppets as we witnessed in the previous council. I just hope that more than Jackie Ritchie and I will monitor and follow this council over the next four years. If more of us participate we can build a fine township and move into the future together.
All the councillors asked good questions and did not rubber stamp reports or other agenda items. It sounded like they did their homework and actually read the information provided to them. Yes, that is their job and I hope they keep it up. There were a few rough spots but growing pains are natural and healthy.
I liked their questioning things like the actual line item expenses on the payables register and not just approving it. They questioned spending money on the Knox building to prepare for a possible doctor but with no guarantee from the recruiters that any will come. They questioned the costs to renovate the basement of the library when we have a vacant Knox building. That is good common sense fiscal management. I hope this council drives the bureaucrats to more accountability in the term and moves away from a somewhat country club atmosphere that existed at the Admin Centre. That is not totally staff's fault as they lacked leadership and direction from the former council. So far this counciil appears to understand that it is their job to run the township and get the job done by providing clear direction to staff. That is the way it is supposed to work.
The meeting went to 10:30 which signifies that they are doing their job. I won't expect to be home by 7:30 or earlier as I did in the last term of council.
So far we are getting our money's worth from this newly elected council.
Our new mayor Linda Collins did a good job in controlling the meeting which is no longer an easy task as these new councillors think for themselves and do want to make a difference. They also appear eager to be engaged on behalf of their constituents.
Good work and good luck to them all.
This is a different council and my impression from the meeting is that they are not a bunch of puppets as we witnessed in the previous council. I just hope that more than Jackie Ritchie and I will monitor and follow this council over the next four years. If more of us participate we can build a fine township and move into the future together.
All the councillors asked good questions and did not rubber stamp reports or other agenda items. It sounded like they did their homework and actually read the information provided to them. Yes, that is their job and I hope they keep it up. There were a few rough spots but growing pains are natural and healthy.
I liked their questioning things like the actual line item expenses on the payables register and not just approving it. They questioned spending money on the Knox building to prepare for a possible doctor but with no guarantee from the recruiters that any will come. They questioned the costs to renovate the basement of the library when we have a vacant Knox building. That is good common sense fiscal management. I hope this council drives the bureaucrats to more accountability in the term and moves away from a somewhat country club atmosphere that existed at the Admin Centre. That is not totally staff's fault as they lacked leadership and direction from the former council. So far this counciil appears to understand that it is their job to run the township and get the job done by providing clear direction to staff. That is the way it is supposed to work.
The meeting went to 10:30 which signifies that they are doing their job. I won't expect to be home by 7:30 or earlier as I did in the last term of council.
So far we are getting our money's worth from this newly elected council.
Our new mayor Linda Collins did a good job in controlling the meeting which is no longer an easy task as these new councillors think for themselves and do want to make a difference. They also appear eager to be engaged on behalf of their constituents.
Good work and good luck to them all.
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