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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-04-02, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015. PAGE 9. While some organizations such as the County of Huron, the Avon Maitland District School Board and the Toronto Police Services had released their Sunshine Lists early, the province released its full list on Friday and it’s grown by nearly 14 per cent. For the first time in its history, there are more than 100,000 people on the Public Sector Salary Disclosure list, which lists public employees who are paid salaries of $100,000 or higher. This year there are 111,440 people on the list, which is 13.9 per cent more – 13,644 people – than were on the list the previous year. At the provincial level, Tom Mitchell, Ontario Power Generation’s Chief Executive topped the list, making $1.555 million in 2014. Locally, there are plenty of names on the list, whether it be those working for municipalities, police forces, school boards or hospitals. Central Huron Chief Administra- tive Officer (CAO) Peggy Van Mierlo-West made $126,756.10 in 2014, while Huron East CAO Brad Knight made $114,638.58, Morris- Turnberry CAO Nancy Michie made $108,840.48 and Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh CAO Mark Becker made $106,001.74. The only North Huron names on the list belong to the Wingham Police Force, which had six members who made more than $100,000 last year. The force’s list is led by Sergeant Murray Foxton at $124,798.01, Chief Tim Poole at $112,239.36, Constable Wade Smith at $109,498.60, Constable Bryan Verhaeghe at $105,760.52, Constable Mark Kirkby at $104,888.15 and Kevin Macadam at $104,662. The Avon Maitland District School Board had 101 names on the provincial list, led by Ted Doherty, Director of Education and Secretary of the Board of Directors, who made $192,000 last year. Doherty is followed by a number of superintendents like Mike Ash, Janet Baird-Jackson and Jodie Baker, who all made $153,558 each. Alice McDowell, principal at Maitland River Elementary School, is on the list, having made $112,821.96 last year. Cathy Goetz, Hullett Central Public School principal, made $111,493.44 and Continued from page 1 and this is part of doing that,” she said. “There are new leaks that have recently started in the west hallway, over the pool and in the fitness area.” Newson said that staff were frequently on the roof with consultants trying to find a solution to the problem. The proposed renovation of Memorial Hall through Campaign 14/19 and council’s contributions to that project were also addressed. “We’re making the second $75,000 donation of our $500,000 commitment,” she said. “I’m hoping we can do $100,000 next year to hit the 50 per cent mark, but we’ll need to look at what avenues to go down to meet that commitment. I don’t want to be sitting here and looking at next year’s budget with the same questions.” Newson noted that since Campaign 14/19 was set to start funding renovations in 2016, it would be a good year to aim for that higher contribution. Council heard comments on police negotiations, which included a wage increase through negotiations as well as the purchase of six carbine rifles for $10,000. Fire Department of North Huron Chief David Sparling also provided an update regarding the Emergency Service Training Centre and its recent request for funding through the county. “We have no new information on a decision [from the Huron Economic Development Board],” Sparling said. “However, we’re not sitting here waiting. We are moving forward on as many initiatives as we can.” Director of Public Works Kelly Church noted that he would like to start replacing streetlights with more conservative models throughout the municipality starting with some of the smaller villages this year. “I would like to do the communities of Blyth and Wingham, but we’ll be starting with the outlying villages like Belgrave and Whitechurch,” he said. “It will save in two ways with both lower electricity and eliminating some of the necessary maintenance. There will be some savings to be had there.” Church also said his department is looking at two new pick-up trucks which will be purchased at a total of $60,000 as part of a new fleet management program. Through the program, the Public Works Department will purchase new trucks, use them until they reach a certain mileage and then send them to other departments with lower usage demands. “The average age of our trucks is 2006, so half of them are older,” Newson, who helped design the program with Church, explained. “We’re hoping to improve that.” Church said that some vehicles currently have 300,000 kilometres on them and he hopes that, through this program, there won’t be any trucks in the municipality with much more than 150,000 kilometres which seems to be the point some resale value is maintained according to Church. “The county looks at 230,000 kilometres for selling vehicles like that,” Vincent said. “They’ve found that is the balance of finding a return on moving them out of county ownership and maintaining functionality. As long as I know we’re looking at a target like that... it may be a good point.” Don Nicholson, chief operator of water and waste water, said that his budget reflects some special cost- saving moves that are going to be used. “One of the things we’ve been doing is, between the Public Works and Water Departments, we’re taking advantage of slower times in each department so we can chip in and help each other get work done,” he said. “That’s working really well.” Nicholson also commented on the fleet project. “Kelly had mentioned the new truck purchasing program that’s Leaks concern staff School boards, hospitals top list Sound food advice A pair of Community Food Advisors, a volunteer program that’s rolled out by the Huron County Health Unit, were at North Woods Elementary School on Friday talking to the Grade 1 class about fruits and vegetables and why they’re important to our lives. Here, Annie Dozois, left, and Carol Dougall, right, speak to students, back to front, Daniel Ford, Jack Nicholson and Kayden Bootsman about their food. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Brussels 519-887-9114 Blyth 519-523-4792 See these and other great books at... The Citizen Think Spring! We have the books to help you... GROWING TREES FROM SEED The late Henry Kock of the University of Guelph Arboretum shows how to collect and plant the seeds of dozens of varieties of native trees. Comprehensive instructions, beautiful illustrations, 30 pages of colour photos. $45.00 GARLIC – The Mighty Bulb Garlic is an intriguing product of the garden: a special ingredient in cooking, used for medicinal purposes and steeped in history. This book contains more than 50 recipes, tips on growing your own and lots of fascinating facts. $24.95 GARDEN PATHS: Inspiring Designs and Practical Projects Garden paths can add so much interest to your yard. 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