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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1976-05-05, Page 7=clod MACLAND WALL SYSTEMS CONCRETE FORMING CONTRACTORS P.O. Box 130 Wingham, Ontario CONCRETE WALLS BUNKER SILOS HOUSE FOUNDATIONS 357-3182 Come in and test drive the amazing DATSUN 4-WHEEL DRIVE SPORTRUCK The'Datsun 4 wheel drive Sportruck. Features 4 speed transmission, high and low range, locking hubs, Heavy-Duty front bumper.' electric winch, ranger wheels, off-the-road tires, accent striping. Gets fantastic mileage. Now On Display at DATSUN 22 detterich St. West SEAPORT Gerald's Datsun LIMITED' 527-1010 But county councillors are not so sure (Continued from Page 1) municipalities. In the report of the committee chaired by Warden Jack McCutcheon, it was noted that in 1975, the population in Huron was 54,671. Based on that figure, council has at the present time a member of council for each 1,437 people. If Section 27 (a) was adopted, there would be one member of council for each 1,885 people. Presently, there are 56 votes in council, an average of one vote for each 976 people, or 2.15 votes per municipality, or 1.24 votes per member. Under the system proposed, there would be 30 votes in council, an average of one vote for each 1,822 people, or 1.15 votes per municipality, or 1.03 votes per member. • "Many belieye in -the principle of one person, one vote," Warden McCutcheon said in his report. "Under our present represen- tation there are 11 members with two votes each. At the present time if Section 27 (a) were adopted, there would be only one member of council with two votes." The most interesting aspect of the proposal as far as the majority of council members was concerned, was the suggestion that between $25,000 and $50,000 could be saved in one year if the number of representatives on council was decreased. The report noted That based on the present rates being paid to council for a full day session, the present cost is $2,402.18 per session. Or an average of $53.38 per member per session. Using this average cost per member, for 29 members the cost per session would be $1,548.02 - or a saving of $854.16 per session. For ten regular sessions per year, that would be about $8500 saved if per diem rates etc. remained as they are at presesnt. For committee meetings, the costs is $3,001.70 for the nine, standing committees to meet once each month. That's an average of $333.52 per committee. It has been proposed that instead of nine committees, six committees would be sufficient under the new system if adopted. For discussion purposes, it was suggested that health and social services be amalgamated into one committee, library and property into one committee, and 'planning and development into one committee. At an average cost of $333.52 per committee, the total cost for six committees to meet once monthly would be $2,001.12 - a saving ' of $1,000 per month. Another $10,000 could be saved over a 10-month period - if costs remained the same and if committees met only once monthly. It is expected that another $5,000 could be saved in meals and convention expenses for the , smaller council. In total, that's $23,500 in actual savings per annum - a bare minimum. Work Load "Concern has been expressed that :with fewer committees the workload may become such that more meetings would be necessary or alternately more authority and responsibility turned-over to non-elected staff," Wardon McCutcheon said in the report., Reeve Jack Tinney of Hay Township, a member of the local government study committee said he thought it was significant that the -report noted that a heavier workload might prevent members from becoming directly involved with the administration of -the various departments as at present, and that more meeting could mean that certain members might not be interested in running for elected office, or because of being unable to take time off work, could not attend meetings. He added that as the study committee toured some of the WEDDING? county councils in the province,' they •saw nothing better than the system used in Huron, although he admitted that some ideas from other countries could be utilized in Huron to advantage. Although Warden McCutcheon urged council not to think in terms of "getting rid of the deputy-reeves", much discussion centred around just that. Anson McKinley, a former warden of Huron, brought forth the suggestion that perhaps deputy- reeves should still sit on council, but not on committees. "I like 45 members on council," Reeve McKinley said. "We get a lot of input that way." He went on to say, however, that committee work should be consolidated. He said he was disturbed that the' administrator and the warden had to sit in on every committee meeting He said it was during his term as warden that secretaries took down committee minutes instead of either the clerk or the deputy- clerk. Critics • McKinley saw the deputy- reeves as a body of critics whose duty it would be to qtiestsion every committee about their recommendations. He said that under the present system, with every member of council a member of some committee, each member had a !qiested interest to see that every committee report goes through county council with as little hasSle as possible". He argued that if the deputy-reeves didn't sit on any committees, they would be in an ideal position to question and prod. This view was shared by reeve John JeWett of Hullett. He suggested that deputy-reeves' should serve an apprenticeship on council, and then when they become reeves they could step right into committee positions with experience and know-how. Bill Morley, deputy-reeve of Usborne Township, raised a round of applause from other deputy-reeves when he told council he wasn't interested in serving on county council if deputy-reeves couldn't participate in committee work. "If we don't have the challenge of the committee you might as well forget it," Morley said. "I won't come up here and fill the chair and eat your meals as a critic. It just won't work." Reeve Elgin Thompson of Tuckersmith agreed. He said be wouldn't like council to discriminate against the deputy: reeves. Reeve Thompson went on to say that if council wanted to save money, it could dispense with the $5 per plate smorgasbord served on county council days to council members and their guests. He said nobody needed such a heavy meal at lunch time, and. Suggested that the "old way" when councillors went their own way and bought their own lunches (Continued on Page 2 5) BERG Sales — Service Installation FREE ESTIMATES o Barn Cleaners I. o Bunk Feeders o Stabling Donald G. Ives R.R.#2, Blyth Phone: I Brussels 887-9024 I -a a 8110Pii F,or the bride and groom we have special discount' prices on , roorn groupings. Drop in_ .we will be pleased to help you choose wisely, at money saving prices for beautiful rooms. BALL and MUTC14 Wont, lut,iiitaino PHONE 4481.95 CLIN-roN, ONTARIO. PLANNING A MEM' THE BRUSSELS POST, MAYS, 1976 INA"