Feature Article July 10, 2003
LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb HomeNeighbour Upset Over LayoffEllard Stitt of Arden was so upset when he found out his friend and neighbour Terry Goodenough has been laid off by the Central Frontenac Roads department that he has written letter to all the township counsellors and circulated a petition on the matter.
Stitts letter points out that Goodenough has approximately 35 years experience in road building, heavy equipment maintenance and operation, and bemoans the fact that the taxpayer would lose the services of this valuable employee. The letter also talks about Goodenoughs dedication, saying he has been available to receive calls at home about road hazards, which would be removed on his own time, saving money for the township.
Central Frontenac Public Works manager Bill Nicol told the News he could not discuss any matters that relate to employees or employment within the township. He did impart that one of the townships four grading machines has blown an engine, and he does not have the $20,000 in the road budget at this time to fix the grader, so the crews are trying to get by with three grading machines through the summer. This has decreased the need for worker hours within the public works department.
Stitts letter also expresses concerns about the condition of the Arden Road. As far as the Arden road is concerned, Nicol said there is no plan to work on that road, with the exception of a small patch near the village of Arden this year. The contents of a five-year roads plan, which has been prepared by the Public Works department, will not be released until the five-year plans of all the township departments are prepared and sent to council. Nicol would not speculate as to when that might happen.
