HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-02-05, Page 2PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1997
Council responds to firefighters9 response
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
The question at last month's
Brussels council meeting regarding
the hourly wage for firefighters
attending classroom training ses
sions, prompted a letter of reponse
from the department's volunteers.
The letter, presented to council at
the February meeting on Monday
night, states, "You are asking fire-
men to urop everytmng to protect
your home and family, but telling
them that knowing how is not as
important."
This comment prompted
response from all councillors who
stressed that that was not what had
been said regarding the reason for
paying a lesser amount for training
than actual firefighting. Councillor
Mary Stretton said she was "irked"
by the misinterpretation.
Councillor Joe Seili, who serves
on the Fire Board, said that it was
n't an issue of money for the fire
fighters, but rather that they felt
council didn't recognize the value
of the training. "They're happy with
the pay we agreed on, but I know
none of us would give up our
weekends for $15 an hour."
Seili added that when he asked
council to consider the flat rate it
was because he believed it would
simplify the book work for the
office staff. He also gave credit to
the department members for many
hours of unpaid volunteer efforts.
Clerk-Treasurer Donna White is
sending a letter on council's behalf
explaining that the importance of
training is recognized by council. It
will also explain that the .extra $2
per hour was for the risk to the vol-
unteers when fighting fires. "There
was not a value factor placed on the
training," she stressed.
Reeve Gord Workman noted,
however, that decisions are based
on balancing the books. "You pay
what you think you can afford to
pay and if it gets out of hand there
may eventually not be a fire depart
ment. It's that simple."
Councillor feels staff raises in order
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
Keeping well-trained staff work
ing for you was a key point in one
Brussels councillor's comments
regarding raises.
During the report from the Staff
Relations Committee at Monday
night's council meeting, it was
noted that employees had been told
there was no money in the budget
for salary increases, but that con-
sideration may be given to a bonus
in October prior to elections.
Councillor Greg Wilson howev
er, said he felt wage increases were
in order. "I think we should try and
cut back in some places and give
these people raises," he said.
Councillor Joe Seili agreed with
Wilson that many times the way
money is spent seems unnecessary,
while on other occasions council is
determined to maintain the status
quo. "We argued at the last meeting
about what would have been a $ 150
difference in (compensation) for
volunteer firefighters' classtime.
Tonight we okayed $150 for (sou
venir) pens just.like that."
Wilson said that rather than send
ing several members of council to
conventions, a few could go and
report back. "I decided not to go to
Good Roads this year and it will
save the village $1,000. I'd rather
see that money go to some raises
and keep the people working for us.
I hate seeing us spend, spend,
spend, but when it comes to raises
we say no."
GIIIMIE 1*1
STOPPERS
1-800-222-TIPS
St John's Anglican
Church, Brussels
PANCAKE
SUPPER
Tuesday, Feb. 11 th
5 ~ 7 p.m.
Adults - $6.00
Children under 12 - $3.00
Pre-schoolers - free
Brussels Legion Br. 218
Homecoming
Committee
FISIl FRY
NOTICE
SALE SALE SALE
available at various merchants in
each village. The price is $2 or
three for $5.
Anyone wishing a ticket who
cannot find them locally may call
Woodley at the Country Shop at
335-3909.
Wheels Away reserves the right
to award the cash value ($400) in
lieu of Bojangles.
Wheels Away kicks off fundraiser
To Brussels
Snowmobile Club
Members & Volunteers
And to the winner goes
Bev Woodley of the Country Shop shows off Bojangles Bob, the young donkey which will be
first prize in a fundraiser for Wheels Away.
Is there an enemy out there who
really deserves revenge, a pal who
loves a practical joke or a young
ster who would love to have his
very own donkey?
Wheels Away is offering area
residents the opportunity to pur
chase a raffle ticket, in someone
else's name, for Bojangles Bob, the
donkey.
Monies raised by the fundraiser
will help with the final few thou
sand need for the purchase of a new
van, says Wheels Away supporter
Bev Woodley.
"The coffee campaign held in
past months, raised $14,000, but
the organization is still a few thou
sand short".
Fundraising organizers will also
keep the public informed as to what
public figures have had a donkey
ticket purchased in their name, just
to add a little fun, said Woodley.
Tickets for the draw, which will
be held on April Fool's Day, will be
* excludes retired collector Items
Cash or Cheque only
Off all
giftware
10% off your Valentine roses if you A
\_________order before Feb. 7_________y
Just For You
Flowers & GiftsBrussels 887-9731
Sunday,
February 9/97
from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Adults - $8.00
Children 12 & under
$4.50
The Club
needs HELP
to keep the
shack
running on
the
weekends
The money raised is used to
keep the groomers running
for our snowmobiling
pleasure. We need your
help ~ so please sign up at
the snowmobile shack.
Thanks
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SNOW REMOVAL IN THE
VILLAGE OF BRUSSELS
In order to assist our staff in snow removal your co-operation is
required.
Parking is strictly prohibited on municipal streets between the
hours of 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. from December 1 to April 1.
The municipal parking lot, located on the corner of Mill and
Elizabeth Streets Is where vehicles must be parked for those
who do not have parking available on their own premises.
Violators will be prosecuted or will have to bear the cost of hav
ing their vehicle towed away.
The owner of any such vehicle will be liable for any damage to
the said vehicle towed away.
COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF BRUSSELS