North Frontenac announces new public works manager

Craig Bakay | Nov 08, 2017

North Frontenac Township announced it has hired a new public works manager at its regular Council meeting last Friday in Ompah.

Darwyn Sproule becomes the new public works manager effective Nov. 20, replacing Jim Phillips who earlier this year announced his retirement date as Dec. 22, 2017.
In a press release, CAO Cheryl Robson said: “Darwyn brings a wealth of knowledge as a professional engineer and 34 years of experience with the Ministry of Transportation in a management capacity.
“We look forward to working with Darwyn.”

The press release also said: “We sincerely appreciate the level of expertise that (Phillips) brought to our Township and wish Jim all the best in his future endeavours.”
“This is a good news story and great for our Township,” said Coun. Gerry Martin, chair of the Personnel and Audit Committee.”

Council also heard presentations from Carrie Salisbury, community coordinator for the Heart of Hastings Hospice on visiting Hospice Services in rural Frontenac, Lennox & Addington and an assessment update from Beverley Disney and Kim Bennett from MPAC.

North Frontenac’s two representatives on Frontenac County Council, Mayor Ron Higgins and Coun. John Inglis, are diametrically opposed when it comes to a proposed County contribution to the Hospitals Foundation in Kingston.
The County hasn’t quite finished its budget process yet but Higgins is opposed to $54,000 this year and another proposal to continue a similar commitment for 10 years as the County had been doing.
“My problem is that the commitment ended,” said Higgins. “I don’t think taxpayers dollars should go to contributions.”
Inglis, on the other hand, is in favour of the contributions.
“I’m in favour of it but I’m the only one,” Inglis said.
Although he doesn’t get a vote, Coun. Wayne Good isn’t in favour either.
“We voted you (Inglis) in to represent this Council,” said Good. “You wont’ be voted in again if I have any say in it.”

As Mayor Ron Higgins was giving his report from County Council, North Frontenac Coun. Gerry Martin voiced his displeasure at there being no plans for the K & P Trail to be extended past Sharbot Lake.
“I hear no discussion of any section going north through our area to connect to the Lanark and Renfrew Trails,” Martin said. “I think we’re remiss in not connecting to north of 7.”

At the urging of Coun. Gerry Martin, North Frontenac will contact Metroland Media to protest its decision to limit distribution of the Perth Courier in North Frontenac to one outlet.
“Only in Plevna is unacceptable,” he said.