NF Council composition to remain the same

Craig Bakay | Sep 15, 2021

Following two public meetings (one in-person and one on-line) on the subject, North Frontenac Council passed a resolution at its regular meeting Sept. 10 to “leave the Ward boundaries and Council composition the same.”

“I hope this puts this to rest,” said Coun. Fred Fowler, who has been a staunch opponent to any idea of changing things.

But, while the resolution means that the current three wards and seven councillors (including the mayor) will remain in place for the next election, it might not always remain so.

Mayor Ron Higgins, who has been one of the driving forces behind a potential change, gave a rather ominous prediction.

Higgins, while accepting the decision for now, said: “I know this will be coming up from the province if the Conservatives get re-elected.”

Ward 1, the westernmost ward, brought in $2,919,656 in municipal tax dollars in 2021. Ward 2, the central ward, brought in $2,216,146 and Ward 3, the eastern ward, $1,167,994.

Under one proposal, Wards 2 and 3 would be combined, reducing the number of Council members to five from the current seven.

RFCS presentation

Council received a presentation from Rural Frontenac Community Services – Frontenac Transportation representatives Nicki Gowdy (transportation manager) and Louise Moody (executive director) on the service they provide and/or plan to provide to the area.

Moody said they normally only present to Frontenac County Council, who provides funding, but this year they wanted to meet with each individual township council.

“Our ride-share program was set to launch but was postponed by the pandemic,” Gowdy said. “We’re not looking for money today but we would like pressure put on governments to define what public transportation is.”

Moody said that most provincial funding assistance is geared more towards urban settings but “even though we don’t have the population density, they still deliver electricity.”

Dep. Mayor Gerry Martin asked if RFCS has looked into the possibility of an Uber service in the area.

“We have but there are two problems with that,” Gowdy said. “Insurance and costs”

“You could say we are kind of an Uber service but we can do it cheaper.

“We costed it out a couple of years ago and it would $250 for Uber to do a trip from Plevna to Kingston whereas we can do it for about $100.”

Later in the meeting, Mayor Ron Higgins told Council that the Eastern Ontario Leadership Council has been looking into some sort of bus service like the one that runs from Brockville to Prescott.

“That trip would cost $35-$60 by taxi but you can jump on the bus anywhere along the route for $5,” he said.

Lion’s BBQ

Dep. Mayor Gerry Martin thanked the Land O’Lakes Lions Club for putting on the barbecue at the recent essential services fair.

“We had a tentative agreement with the Salvation Army but they had to cancel at the last minute,” Martin said. “The Lions stepped up to the plate and got us out of a jam.

“About 180 people attended the event.”

Martin suggested the $330 be reimbursed and a donation made to the Lions for their service.

“They said if we need them again, they’re available,” he said.

Tennis anyone

Dep. Mayor Gerry Martin questioned a proposal to use the site in Cloyne where the tennis courts are located as a potential seniors housing site.

“We thought they weren’t being used, but they are being used since they put in the pickleball lanes I’m hearing from my seniors that the Plevna rink might be used for pickleball since it’s so popular in Cloyne.”

“Pickleball has been well received,” said Manager of Community Development Corey Klatt.

Murals

Council accepted murals from Sonja Alcock and Brian and Leane Bailey. The murals will be installed at the Barrie Hall grounds and the Clarendon Miller Hall Playground area. A previous mural by the Baileys was recently stolen from the waste site it was installed at.