| Jan 10, 2018


District 2 (Olden) will be without its compliment of two councilors for the near future as Coun. Jamie Riddell resigned his seat at Tuesday evening’s regular Central Frontenac Council meeting in Sharbot Lake.

Riddell told Council he was resigning to become deputy fire chief of the Central Frontenac Fire Department.

He expressed some regrets on leaving Council.

“It’s been a great three years but fire is very near and dear to my heart,” he said, “and, I’m looking forward to replacing (Fire Chief) Greg (Robinson) when he retires.

Former fire chief Bill Young had been deputy chief after Robinson was hired as full-time chief but Young’s contract was up at the end of December and with the job description, hours and remuneration (reduced by an estimated $12,000) changing, Young opted not to apply for the reorganized position.

“Jamie was the preferred candidate,” Robinson said.

With Riddell stepping down, Council now has 60 days to find a replacement, said CAO Cathy MacMunn.

“If it had happened within 90 days of the election, we could have gone without a replacement,” she said.

Council has several options including a by-election but seemed to rule that out because the expense wouldn’t be justified, said Mayor Frances Smith.

“I think Council should think about candidates to be named to replace Jamie and we’ll discuss it at our next meeting,” she said.

There is some precedent however.

When Coun. Bill Snyder died in office four years ago (also an election year) Council turned to Phillip Smith who had come third in the previous election after Snyder and Heather Fox.

In the last election, Cory Thompson was third after Riddell and Heese (John Purdon and Justin Gray were fourth and fifth respectively).

However, Council isn’t tied to that option, but the Mayor expressed a desire to appoint someone from District 2.

Elm Tree road work underway

Public Works Manager Brad Thake told Council that the oft-postponed work on Elm Tree Road began Monday.

“We’re actually a bit ahead of schedule,” he said.

Interim Tax levy approved, paving the way for tax bills

Council passed bylaws for an interim tax levy (one-half of last year’s levy), borrowing to finance 2018 expenditures and to make Committee of Adjustment appointments

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