Letters: Apr 4/13

Apr 04, 2013

Re: "Frontenac County Council on the brink"

Normally, I find myself agreeing with your assessment of County of Frontenac proceedings, but your reflection in the "Frontenac County Council on the brink" editorial on March 28 is not my perception of the County's budget-setting process.

The budget process is a time that the County's Procedural Policy directs Council to fulfill its role "to ensure the accountability and transparency of the operations of the County, including the activities of the senior management of the County". It is also one of the times that we "develop and evaluate the policies and programs of the County".

The County budget, totaling over 40 million dollars and a staff of 400, includes the operation of Fairmount Home and the Paramedics Services for the County and the City of Kingston. In addition, although we do not have direct management responsibility, Council is responsible for the accountability of our role in Social Services, Social Housing, the Library System, the Howe Island ferry and the Health Unit.

This year, we are faced with shortfalls from both senior levels of government. We have decisions to make about what we do and what we not do. What staff do we absolutely need and what must we do to keep them?

In my first two years on Council, the learning curve was dramatic. Council, now in its third budget, has a better idea of what questions to ask and that takes time for staff to answer. We have found areas that I feel need to be addressed. Millions of dollars in reserves need to be appropriately assigned on the taxpayers’ behalf.

This is not a “lack of faith" issue. It is a recognition that we on Council are ultimately responsible for the direction and accountability of many employees, vulnerable seniors and the health and safety of our community. We may not always say the right things in the right way, but we do absolutely have "basic faith" in our senior staff. We are, however, ultimately responsible for the "spending of public funds".

John McDougall, Councillor
County of Frontenac, Township of South Frontenac

Re: Changes in community.

Although I have been a member of the Central Frontenac / Sharbot Lake community for only 12 years, I echo the sentiments so eloquently expressed by Mr Cameron in his letter (Changes in the Community) of March 28, and dare to offer my perspective on them. I cannot speak to the history as he does, although I have read a bit of it; but, without going into specifics, I do appreciate, deeply, the sadness and feeling of desolation when traditions and heritage are being ignored, and pride in identity is being obliterated. I too, love Sharbot Lake / Central Frontenac and have boldly labeled it "a diamond in the rough" if only in my own mind, and commend Mr Cameron for verbalizing it in his letter.

The future is inevitable, but I also believe that those wonderful attributes which are disappearing can, and should be preserved, "melding" past and present while moving forward. What that would entail is the will and the means; and to that end, new blood and the perseverance of citizens who are really concerned, are needed. There are already such people/organizations here actively engaged in preserving various facets of our heritage. So, let us not disrespect efforts of the past and present, and instead, encourage those people to persevere in leadership of this proud and caring community in order to overcome reluctance and fear of change.

As songwriter Susan Osborn pined: "I'm making my shoulders strong for the young to stand upon, stepping lightly on the backs of those who hold me up".

Shastri Ablack