HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-02-11, Page 5Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - Page A5
County counil to retain all 20 councilors
Neem
Sun Media
The status quo is a go.
After months of committee -level discus-
sions and debate, county council voted in fa-
vour of maintaining its current structure of 20
councilors.
Following a recommendation of the coun-
ty's committee of the whole, which includes
representation from all nine -member munici-
palities, councilors grappled with a proposal
to hire a consultant to discern the ideal coun-
ty -council structure.
Some councilors expressed concern with
the plan given that regardless of the consul-
tant's recommendations, the decision ulti-
mately rests with council.
Conn. John Bezaire (Central Huron) ques-
tioned whether a consultant's report would be
submitted in time to .ensure county council
is restructured in time for the next municipal
election in 2010.
Given the time frame, says Bezaire, it would
be "somewhat foolhardy" to be "plundering
ahead" with a hastily made decision.
Warden Ken Oke acknowledged while the
ideal goal is to have the change enacted in
time for 2010, that was only a guideline and
changes could instead be implemented for the
2014 election.
"It wouldn't be wasted money," says Oke.
"If we run out of time, we run out of time."
Coun. Ben Van Diepenbeek (Ashfield Col-
borne Wawanosh) favoured foregoing the
consultant and, instead, putting forward two
options to member municipalities to consider,
either a 6,000 -minimum population for an
additional councilor for each municipality or
one representative per municipality.
In speaking against hiring a consultant,
Coun. Max Demaray (Howick) said consul-
tants have been used in the past with limited
success.
"Will you follow what he says if he says
more councilors are necessary?" asked De-
maray.
Coun. Bernie MacLellan (Huron East) says
an ideal scenario is to have two councillors
with weighted votes, per municipality.
MacLellan adds the 6,000 population cut
off benefits some municipalities more than
others.
Coun. Neil Vincent (North Huron) notes,
however, that the 6,000 figure is deemed to
be the most just since each of the member
municipalities, except one, would be properly
represented within a two per cent margin.
Coun. Bill Siemon (Huron East) adds his
voice to the chorus of those preferring to seek
out input from the lower tiers rather than hire
a consultant.
"It's money for something we have to do
ourselves any how," he says.
In speaking in favour of consultants, Coun.
Bert Dykstra (Central Huron) says the bonus
is they would report back fairly quickly and
council would be able to further discuss the
issue. Dykstra says tinning the options over
to the lower tiers to debate is a questionable
move given the county council is in a leader-
ship role.
"We're sitting here. We know what will
work, whatever the number is," says Dykstra.
In further pushing against the 6,000 fig-
ure, Coun. MacLellan suggests councilors
are speaking in favour of the cutoff since it
is the "easiest number to put through." That,
he says, is not a good enough reason. He adds
that it's likely the lower tiers will only want
to ensure they have as much representation as
possible.
The warden notes urban centres often have
councilors representing up to 60,000 people,
which is the county's approximate popula-
tion.
"Here we have (20) people representing
60,000 and saying it can't be done," says Oke.
"We have to start looking at it objectively.
In a recorded vote, 12 councilors voted
against hiring a consultant while seven were
in favour of the move. One councilor, Joseph
Seili (Huron East), was absent.
Following the motion's defeat, Coun. Bill
Dowson (Bluewater) suggested sending the
issue along to the lower tiers for further dis-
cussion as per Van Diepenbeek's recommen-
dation, which became a motion.
Coun. Deb Shewfelt (Goderich) noted a
number of regions, including Bruce and Perth
counties, have successfully reduced the num-
ber of representatives at the table.
Meanwhile, Coun. Bezaire argues the point
of the restructuring process is to figure out the
best possible setup for representation and not
Legion Ladies' welcome new member
President Ann Feagan opened the first
general meeting of the Legion Ladies'
Auxiliary to Branch 109 on Jan. 13 by wel-
coming a new member, Elizabeth Brown.
The minutes, correspondence and letters
for donations were read and standing mo-
tions accepted. The spring convention will
be held Sunday, May 3 in Blyth.
Comrades Mary O'Neil, Linda MacDon-
ald, Liz Brown, Catherine Boddy and Kar-
en Draper will sit on a committee to raise
funds for the Troop Morale Fund, which
will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 2
-- 4 p.m. at the Legion. Come out and sup-
port the troops and enjoy some great fancy
desserts.
Looking ahead to May 8, Mr. Heaman
and band has been booked. The birthday
card was won by Donna MacPhee and Kar-
en Draper won the mystery prize.
A general meeting was held Tuesday,
Feb. 10 and the Legion Ladies' auxiliary
_ wishes a happy Valentines Day to_all. - -
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to "make an arbitrary number."
Meanwhile, Coun. Dave Johnston (Blue -
water) supported the notion of allowing the
lower tiers to have some input.
"This has to go to the public and there must
be a rationale," he says.
Van Diepenbeek's motion met with resound-
ing defeat, prompting the warden to proclaim:
"OK, what we need now is a decision."
Vincent stepped forward with a motion to
maintain county council at its current level,
which allows for an additional councilor per
additional 4,000 mu-
nicipal residents.
That motion result-
ed in a nine -to -nine
tie, with the warden
left with the task of
casting the deciding
vote.
Oke voted in favour
of the status quo, cit-
inganeedtogeton
with county business.
"We're not interest-
ed in restructuring at
this time," says Oke.
'We're spinning our
wheels."
A smattering of
councilors, including
Shewfelt and Bezaire,
expressed disappoint-
ment
isappointment with council's un-
willingness to change.
Bezaire says the
brave move would
be to introduce a sys-
tem wherein county
councilors are elected
at large rather than
the current practice
of having the council
comprised of reeves or
mayors, deputy may-
ors or deputy reeves
and for municipalities
with three represen-
tatives, senior -level
councillors.
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