Feature Article July 17, 2002
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North Frontenac council and usas viewed from the audience by Bill Rowsome Following its publicized summer schedule, North Frontenac Council met in the Barrie Hall in Cloyne on the evening of July 8. Only 11 citizens attended and none of the three local papers had reporters there: so much for our interest in municipal government and attempts to participate in the democratic process. Council must find so little public interest discouraging when its affairs are running smoothly, but delegations objecting when there is a perceived problem. Councillor Buck was absent at the last meeting when the dump tipping fee for Bon Echo Park was increased by 50%, and he objected to the increase. He quoted a number of figures to justify his stand. He and Mayor Johnson argued the matter, but the motion was not changed. Councillor Clayton added his figures to illustrate that the park was still getting a good bargain. It was encouraging to hear an open debate on an issue. Too many agenda items are decided ahead of time, and a prepared written motion closes the topic with little public debate and no opinions expressed by councillorsshades of Jean Chretien's muzzled federal cabinet.
Three tenders for a new backhoe were opened, all under $100,000. It was impossible to sort out the actual figures in the interchange of conversation and questions among the council members. The tenders are to be studied in detail by the Roads Committee and Road Superintendent before a decision is made on July 22.
The budget is in its final draft (There has been no public consultation during the process, but do we really care?) As far as I could understand, the anticipated increase of 2.76% accommodates inflation and the municipal share will be only increased by 1.5%
There were few oral committee reports.
* Parks and Recreation is busy, and income is encouraging. There have been some personnel problems, but they have been resolved.
* A person who illegally dumped garbage has been charged and fined $300. There was some uncertainty of how much of this fine would actually get into the township coffers.
* The plans for a light on the corner of Hwy 41 and Harlowe Road are slowly progressing.
* Building in the township is encouraging, with 106 permits issued to date. Fees amount to $31,598, with construction value of $2,780,660. One residence and 24 seasonal residences are under construction. The remaining are additions and renovations.
* The usual mysterious reams of paper from other sources were thumbed through and disposed of with little comment.
* Bears at the dumps are a problem. One was hidden by bags of garbage illegally placed at the gates of one dump. When the attendant started moving the bags, fortunately it only frightened her. There was considerable debate on this item, but the only conclusion reached was that these are nuisance bears and will be dealt with as such.
* Bills from April, May and June were approved for payment.
Under new business, Mayor Johnston spoke about the city of Kingston bullying the Frontenac Management Board. The Kingston City Council is harassing the planned expansion to The Fairmount Home for the Aged that is a legacy from amalgamation, and the city is jealous that the ambulance services are the responsibility of The Frontenac Management Board. Many obstacles have been placed in the way of Fairmount's expansion. I understand that there will be a flurry of press releases in the near future in an attempt to inform the public of this social disease of Big Guys trying to suppress Little Guys. Will it ever be different?
Council was invited to tour the Cloyne Historical Museum after the meeting. Because of inclement weather, they postponed until the next meeting in Cloyne on September 9 at 7 p.m.
Council adjourned into Committee of the Whole and the audience dispersed, rather than standing outside in the rain to await the renewal of the public meeting. There was no opportunity to clarify items, check accuracy of figures or discuss problems with individual councilors. Poor acoustics in the hall and the tendency for some councillors to mumble or speak softly made it very difficult to understand some of the verbal exchanges during the meeting.
The next council meeting will be in the Plevna Township Council Chambers at 9:30 a.m. on July 22.
