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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2013-02-06, Page 4No 'cavalier conspiracy' In Byrne firing; Underwood Heather Wright Lakeshore Advance Lambton Shores councilors looking to hear what the people of Forest think got an earful; and it was mostly criti- cism and questions about the tiring of (;AO John Byrne. Byrne was suspended Nov. 13 with *y. Ile was dismissed in January after vyers for Byrne and the municipal- ity reached an agreement. The news release issued by Lambton Shores said the long-time (:AO was released because the municipality is "moving in a new direction." About 50 residents at an open house hosted by Forest -area councilors Mar- tin Underwood and Ken McRea, wanted to know what that means. "The new direction was why you fired John Byrne; that was the answer we got. 'There has to he a way to articu- late what that (reason for his dis- missal) is. If the cause of his firing was not a new direction, just say so," says Jerry Rupke. "That was it terin that %vies seize() on," says Underwood. "New direction? It's more like a recalibration. 'There is no change or hacking away from the things already decided...'Ihe new direction is just a relook at what we're doing." Underwood faced repented ques- tions about the firing, including one resident who asked hint if rumours of illegal activity were true. A frustrated Underwood, who had said a number of times there was little he could say because of the confidentiality agree ment, tried to explain further. "Council made a decision...it was ky�r1 e cavalier conspiracy...it was Tt t «o easy decision. We monde a deci- sion on the basis of the information we had," says Underwood. "'There was no illegal or criminal activity that we know of." And Underwood added very little about the agreement, including how much the municipality paid in sever - Wednesda , Febru = 6 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 3 Diamond Surprise Lambton Shores Mayor Bill Weber had an unexpected surprise in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Modal. Weber found the medal and a certificate outlining the honour for his community service on his desk when he arrived at council Monday night. He Is not sure who nominated him for the medal and says he was 'shocked and humbled' by the achievement. Hero, Lambton Shores Clerk Carol McKenzie, helps the mayor put on the medal. Heather Wright Lambton Shores Councilors Martin Underwood and Ken McRae listened to the concerns of their Forest area constituents at an Open House Jan 29. ance, will be released. "We're protecting things because it is the law. It was a signed agreement. I've told you everything I possibly can" Residents were also concerned about the morale of the rest of the staff', saying employees in the Forest office were concerned for their jobs after 1he management shakeup. "I)o I think i1 (morale) is great? No... I)o I think it is at the bottom? No. Is there roost for improvement? Yeti" says 1lnderwoo(I. "The best thing is to have a clear direction with a new (;AO so employ- ees can feel safe... and go out there and do what they can." Janette Baillie Special t0 t Mosher(' Advance Advance goes to Grand Canyon Glen Baillle, the President of the Grand Bond Chamber of Commerce, with his Lakeshore Advance at the Grand Canyon in Arizona. LEASE SPECIAL 2013 F150 REGULAR CAB 4WD STX SERIES 24 month/40,000 kms Freight & excise taxes included!! WITH ELIGIBLE $1,000 COSTCO MEMBERSHIP & $2,500 RECYCLE YOUR RIDE si99:00 ERIC CAMPBELL LINCOLN i Tn 165 Main St. N., Exeter 518-235-1380 1-800-561-3079 LI NC 0 1. N