HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-01-08, Page 2PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8,1997
Council debates fair value for volunteer time
Roast Beef
Dinner
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
Putting a value on time was the
biggest point of discussion at Brus
sels regular council meeting Jan. 6.
The debate began when Clerk-
Treasurer Donna White asked that
a bylaw be passed stating the wages
for volunteer firefighters. Council
lor Joe Seili, the representative on
the fire board, had asked council at
the November meeting, to consider
a flat rate for members of the fire
department. Currently firefighters
receive $17 per hour for fighting
fires or $12 per hour at training
classes. Seili asked that both be
$17.
"They are giving up their week
ends and evenings for next to noth
ing," he said.
Councillor Mary Stretton dis
agreed, saying that some of the
men would be making more in a
classroom than on their wages.
Though many of the courses are
mandatory training, Seili said they
are attended by a few, who in tum
come back to train the rest during
regular practices. Stretton suggest
ed that it would be less of a burden
on their time if attendance was
spread around rather than among
the same few as Seili had indicated.
However, it was noted that many of
them could not arrange the time
away from work or home.
Councillor Greg Wilson said that
fighting fires was not on the same
level as sitting in class. The com-
Brussels
pensation, he felt, should reflect
that. "You pay (people) $8 an hour
to work in this office then would
pay $17 for someone to sit in a
classroom? It's too much."
Seili argued, however, that the
total increase for a year would
probably amount to no more than
$150. He said the two rates would
mean more bookkeeping for the
municipal staff, plus the increase
offsets some of the time the fire
fighters donate.
Reeve Gord Workman then
expressed his dissatisfaction with
the $10 per hour fee set for mem
bers of council attending out of
town evening meetings. "I'm not
going to sit at a meeting, wasting
my time for $50 anymore."
Stretton said that if that was the
case, the representatives on the
boards should receive more com
pensation as well.
Workman responded, "I remem
ber when the rec board was nothing
but volunteers. It's all shot to hell."
"Exactly," said Stretton. "And
then you've got firefighters who
want $17 to sit in a classroom.
Council asked Seili if he felt the
firefighters would agree to a rate of
$15 for training. Seili said he
would discuss it, adding, however,
that there were many things the
firemen do for which they receive
no compensation. "They have
trucks in parades. That's not paid."
"No," said Workman, "and it
shouldn't be."
"But these guys are volunteers,"
said Seili.
White then asked about the salary
for Fire Chief Murray McArter,
which was increased by $500 last
year, but still remains thousands of
dollars lower than other volunteer
chiefs.
Stretton said, "Do we feel we're
in a position to give out raises?"
Seili said that the line had been
held for so many years that now the
village was trying to play catch-up.
However, both Wilson and Stretton
felt that for now the status quo
should be maintained. "We can't
keep going up $500 to try and bring
the wage in line with others," said
Stretton.
The conversation then switched
back to council's remuneration for
out of town meetings. Workman
said that he wanted the full-day
amount of $100 for meetings over
three hours.
Wilson asked what two hour
meetings would pay, then. White
said $75. "That's too much. I don't
want it," said Wilson, adding that
he would be content with $15 per
hour, though he was comfortable
with it staying at $10.
When White commented that
other municipal councillors were
getting the higher pay, Wilson said
flatly, "I don't care."
Seili, Stretton and Councillor
Ralph Watson all said they didn't
care about an increase, but agreed
that Workman was the one who
was often representing council at
these meetings. "We do a lot of
things for which we are paid noth
ing, but we knew that when we
took on this job," said Seili. "I can
see Gord's point, though, because
the rest of us don't go to meetings
as often."
"I'm not going to create an argu
ment," said Workman. "There's one
cure. I won't go."
White said the PUC had already
discussed this and wanted $75.
"They won't go for the $10 per
hour," she said.
"I don't care what they do," said
Wilson.
Council agreed to set the rate at
$15 per hour.
at Walton Hall
Sunday, Jan, 12
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Adults $7.00
Proceeds to Support Walton Hall
BRUCE HAHN
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Serving your home and business computer nedds.
Systems, upgrades, repairs and technical support.
Guaranteed work at competitive rates.
Steve Blake Phone/Fax 887-9434
Dr. Murray Workman has
returned to Kenora. He spent the
pas! week with his mother Jean,
relatives and friends in the area.
The Brampton Maroons Bantam
'AAA' Hockey Club leads the
Central Ontario OMHA division of
12 teams at the end of the pre
Christmas schedule over their
nearest rivals, Niagara Falls and
Stoney Creek.
Kevin Huether, grandson of
Murray and Mary Huether of
Brussels plays defence on this top-
ranked Ontario team.
The team is looking forward with
great anticipation to playing in the
Kamloops, B.C. 'AAA' Bantam
tournament in March.
BRUSSELS
AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY
Annual Meeting
Wednesday,
January 22,1997
at Brussels Legion
Dinner - 6:30 p.m. with
meeting to follow
Guest Speaker:
Neil McGavin
Tickets $12.00
Call Leona 887-6753 or
Anne 887-6071 for tickets.
Please plan to attend
MARCH OVER
AND SAVE
Computer Courses
There are still a few
openings for the
following courses
Introduction to Computers
Word Perfect Basic
Word Perfect Advanced
Introduction to the Internet
Desktop Publishing
Held at Brussels Public School
7:30 - 9:30
For more information contact
JP Computer Services
Jim Prior
Brussels, Ontario NOG 1H0
(519) 887-9300
e-mail: jamepriota) huron.net
Specializing in education &
training, program installation,
internet setup, purchasing
consultation, needs analysis
All Christmas
inventory
1/2 price
including Precious
Moments &
Cherished Teddies
Christmas lines
In Appreciation
The Optimist Club of Brussels
would like to thank all Ice Time
Sponsors, The Atom Tournament
Committee Members, Food Committee, Debbie,
Pat, Mary, Alecia, Dian, Arena Staff, Referees,
I.G.A. for special advertising.
With your generous support and donations the
Optimist Club is able to continue the Youth
Services in Brussels & Area - The Ark, Ball
Parks, Soccer, Ball & Hockey.
Tournament Committee - Brian Deitner (Referee In
Chief), Dan Pearson, Kevin Deitner, Go rd Finch, Pat
Langlois, Debbie Seili, Steve Knight & Don Bray.
Atom Chairman, George Langlois
just For you
Turnberry St., Brussels
NOTICE TO DOG
OWNERS IN THE
VILLAGE OF
BRUSSELS
1997 Dog tags are now available at the Municipal office and
all dogs must be licensed.
The owner shall within 10 days of becoming such owner,
and thereafter on or before the 28th of February In each year
cause such dog to be again licensed for one year from the
1st day of January in the office of the Village Clerk.
The fee schedule shall be as follows:
a) if the dog Is a male or a spayed female, a fee of $12.00
b) If the dog is a female, a fee of $14.00
c) for a second female, a fee of $19.00
d) for a second male, or spayed female $14.00
e) for a pit bull, or a pit bull cross, a fee of $100.00
A late fee of $15.00 will be applied on March 1,1997.
PROOF OF RABIES VACCINATION MUST BE
SHOWN AT TIME OF PURCHASE!
This by-law requires dog owners to forthwith remove
excrement left by the dog anywhere in the municipality of
the Village of Brussels. Any person contravening this
provision shall pay a $50.00 administration fee.
Donna M. White
Clerk-Treasurer
Village of Brussels.
NOTICE TO BRUSSELS
RESIDENTS
1997 RECYCLING
SCHEDULE
Recyclables, including corrugated cardboard, will be picked
up as per the following schedule for 1997.
••••Cardboard is no longer picked up at curbside. It must be
flattened and taken to the recycle bins at the PUC shop or
behind Oldfield’s hardware.
January Februarv
January 2 February 12
January 15
January 29
February 26
March April
March 12 April 9
March 26 April 23
Mav toe
May 7 June 4
May 21 June 18
July August
July 2 August 13
July 16
July 30
August 27
September October
September 10 October 8
September 24 October 22
November Pepembgr
November 5 December 3
November 19 December 17
December 31
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FUTURE REFERENCE