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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-03-15, Page 22 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Much 15, 119155 News. and Views Police association foresees few changgs The face of policing in Seaforth won't change much with the switchover from local to Ontario Provincial Police Service. "The only noticeable change will be the pant and shoulder bar," says the President of the Seaforth Police Association, Const. Charlie Akey. Service may very well improve, he adds, with an increase of one officer, for a total of four on duty 20 hours a day and seven days a week - in comparison to the present situation where four officers are on duty four days a week and only three officers for 18 hours the remaining three days. Const. Akey says the OPP itself is undergoing a major restructuring which should eventually result in the provincial force being less top- heavy with a publicly expressed "renewed commitment to community policing". The Association President says an emphasis on the number of charges laid may give way to an emphasis on the quality of modern policing, reflecting the social concerns of our time. "I think it will be a better force for it," he says. Const. Akey gays the uncertainty of a long period of being in limbo - not knowing if Seaforth was going to stick with a local force or opt for the OPP - led to morale problems in the local association. He says morale has improved now that officers know which way the municipality is going. He agrees the Seaforth force has often felt it was being "nickled and dimed to death" in the "downsizings" of the past decade, and chalks this up to such things as expenditure control programs and the Social Contract, both provincially mandated and mostly beyond the control of local politicians and the Seaforth Police Services Board. Since the OPP is a province -wide organization which is streamlining itself, Const. Akey feels, it may be soon easier to implement such programs at less cost and further improve local morale. The Seaforth Association, officially affiliated although a minor player in the Ontario Police Association, represents three uniformed officers and one civilian. The officers will be absorbed by the OPP. The civilian, dispatcher Pam Soontiens, won't be. Soontiens has been with the Seaforth Police Force since 1981 and because of OPSU union regulations there is no position with the OPP available. Many other union members would get fust crack at it if a position became available. Her severance package remains to be negotiated. President Akey says in Exeter, Kincardine and St. Marys, where similar situations arose, the municipalities absorbed the position and dispatchers became town employees. Const. Akey, who has been president of the local association "for about 10 years", says section 40 of the Police Act lays out the process for disbandment of a police force, and it basically states boards and associations must "come to agreement on severance packages for all members", and if agreement isn't reached other official bodies may become involved and arbitrate. "We will present a package to the Chair gutlining our position and we hope to begin negotiations and receive a satisfactory settlement in due course," he says. "I agree communication hasn't always been what it could be between the local Board and Association," Const. Akey adds. "However taking into account every year in the 19 years I've been here, the bargaining itself tends to leave scars on both sides." Police board debates 1995 spending The Seaforth Police Services Board spent much of last Wednesday's regular meeting dealing with the draft budget prepared by Chief Hal Claus. The number -crunching is more complicated than usual this time around because of planning for the coming of OPP contracted service, expected to begin October 1. So the draft budget for 1995 is being prepared on estimates of nine months of local service and three months of OPP service - a 75 per cent to 25 per cent - breakdown. Commissioners questioned various proposed expenditures of the local force, for instance the annual purchase of 15 shirts and four pairs of boots, wondering if the Board would have to spend all over again on these items when the OPP comes to town. Chief Claus explained the local forces's shirts were in tatters and said he did not want officers to look like "ragamuffins" for upcoming Seaforth Homecoming BIA members step down Two vacancies have been created preferably after two new executive on the executive of the Seaforth members are appointed.. Business Improvement Association A proposed budget of $25,500, in the wake of resignations at the identical to the last year's budget association's annual meeting last total, was adopted, $16,600 of Monday. which is to be raised through Last -year's BIA Chair Elsie taxation. Willems and long-time executive The BIA also has approximately member Dave deVries both stepped $3,000 in its reserve fund. A down at the meeting March 6. One nomination was received for the vacant Chair's position but it was declined before it went to a motion was carried to transfer this figure to the association's Christmas promotions budget in order to implement a discounted `BIA Buck vote, and SP'retary Cathy Garrick Program" next holiday season. then suggeu ed it might be more Promotions Chair Dave Deighton appropriate w call .sain for also reviewed the expenditures of nominations for the associations th mrrl ht-2994rnoting tt top spot at an executive meeting, had a surplus of more than $1,800. Hullett names councillor Hulleu Township appointed David Armstrong to its vacant council seat at a special meeting Mar. 3. The vacancy was created when council restructured after the recent death of Deputy -Reeve Ronald Gross. In the only other business at this special meeting, council instructed its roads superintendent to submit a proposal to the Public Advisory Committee concerning the road allowance along the north side of the rail bed near Auburn, between County Roads 8 and 22. * * * Milieu Township Council met wjth two groups a special meeting Feb. 28. It discussed a proposal to lease the Londesboro Community Hall to the Londesboro Lions Club with representatives of that Lions Club, the Women's Institute, Londesboro Seniors, and United Church Women. Council also discussed with property owners sidewalks and the paving of driveway access off County Road 15 in connection with the Trick Development. * * * At its special meeting Feb. 28, Hullett Township Council instructed Clerk -Treasurer Bev Shaddick to contact Carter's Waste Disposal to see if they are interested in submitting a recycling proposal, after the township received such a proposal from McLellan Disposal Service. celebrations in August. He added shirts and boots are "standard issue" and would be suitable for the OPP switchover, with simple changes to the proper insignia. The Board was unclear on funding for its police forces 1995- 96 RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) application, and approved it in principle, providing no matching funds are required by the municipality and that the application's term was for one year only. It instructed the Chief to get clarification on these matters and report back to the Board's next meeting. Chief Claus also suggested a number of times that the Board meet soonest with the Seaforth Police Association on budgetary procedures, such as banked vacation hours and statutory holidays, to make sure both sides were on the same wave length in these matters. The Board decided to meet in closed session with the local association at the end of April's regularly scheduled meeting. 11M CUMMING PHOTO I'VE GOT WHEELS! - Two-year-old Jordan Currie, of Seaforth, decided riding on four wheels was the only way to go when warm weather kicked off the March Break on Monday. 'Police take back seat to cards' cont. from front page "1 have no problem with the fact there is a problem using that room," Commissioner Bob Dinsmore said. Commissioner William Teal! was also present. The immediate consensus of the Board was what they had was a failure to communicate. Chair Steffler immediately took to the phones, first calling a frequenter of the local card club, who also owns vacant properties on the Main Street, if he would be willing to tent the Board facilities for the card players to continue their games for the duration of the renovations. He declined. A second call, to John Jew, the owner of a vacant storefront two doors down from the lights on the east side of the Main Street proved more successful. He even offered the first month's rent free. The Board then went back upstairs and passed a motion "to rent a card playing area from John Jew for one month, with a second month costing $400" if it proves necessary. "This is just typical...," secretary Crocker started again, before being reminded then silenced by Chair Steffler, who stressed it was a solely a concern for herself and the two other commissioners. Chief Claus said he hadn't officially received the memo to vacate until the morning before, Mar. 6, Const. 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Call Bob today for. your consultation 527-0100 RENOVATIONS LEAD TO DISPUTE - Renovations underway at the Seaforth Men's Euchre Club led to a dispute at last week's Seaforth Police Services Board meeting about card playing in the police station. some previous verbal understanding with the board and clerk he never accepted it. "I just couldn't believe police could take such a back seat to cards," the Chief told the Board, adding that he has been under a lot of stress lately. The Board then "formalized a process that had been informal", instructing Chief Claus to immediately inform officers of Board decisions in writing, then get back to the Board, also in writing, if problems developed. MAY 1945 -to — l MAY 1995 "The Dutch Canadians Remember" JOIN THE CELEBRATION The Dutch Community of Huron County will hold its fourth information meeting in Goderich (prior meetings were held in Clinton, Lucknow and Exeter) to explain the preparations being made to celebrate the libera- tion of Holland by Canadian Forces. Anyone interested is invited to attend. It is to be held in the Goderich Legion Hall on Tuesday, March 21, 1995, at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Richard ter Vrugt, Vice Consul of the Netherlands, will be there to speak to us. The official dedication of the project will take place some- time in May depending on invited dignitaries schedules. For more information contact - Kase Vanden Heuvel at 524-7280 or - Evert Middel at 524-7371 (days) or 524-8673 (evenings)