Letters: May 6

Setting the record sraight

I would like to set the record straight regarding the NF budget and Councilor Perry's comments as reported in last week's paper (Budget approved in North Frontenac Council, Apr.29/10)

Councilor Perry was quoted as saying, "When we left the last meeting, everyone agreed, but now you (Deputy Mayor Beam) are having a problem at the last minute." At the previous budget meeting Councilor Perry is referring to it was a split vote. Councilor Olmstead and I wanted a 0.75% increase as was brought forward by Staff.

Councilor Watkins wanted between 0.75 and 1.5%, Councilors Gunsinger, Good and Perry wanted 2.5% and the Mayor, after initially saying he favoured 0.75%, changed his mind to 2.5%. I would not say that, "everyone agreed"!

Councilor Olmstead and I did not vote in favour of the budget at that meeting and I did not vote in favour of the budget at the Council meeting on April 22nd.

Jim Beam