The Citizen, 2007-09-13, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2007.
The debate continues on how to
fill the Wingham ward seat on North
Huron council after long-serving
councillor Arnold Taylor resigned
last month.
Council has 60 days from when
Taylor officially resigned on Aug. 27
to decide whether to appoint
somebody to the position or hold a
by-election.
Councillor Archie MacGowan,
said an appointment seems to be a
viable and more cost-effective
option as the estimate floating
around has been between $3-5,000
for a by-election.
“The Municipal Act clearly
outlines the two options, whether
they appear democratic or
undemocratic, and the provincial
government has given us the tools,”
MacGowan said. “Three to five
thousand is a lot of money (for a by-
election), and we’ve got the power to
appoint.”
The discussion went around the
table.
Generally, each member leaned
slightly towards one option but many
said they could agree with either
one.
“I’m agreeable either way, we
basically in this council chose one
member by appointment and I feel in
doing that we sort of set a
precedent,” reeve Neil Vincent said.
“I lean towards an appointment.”
“I’m leaning towards a by-
election,” deputy reeve Murray Scott
said. “I always like to give people
that chance. At the moment it’d be
interesting to see who comes
forward.”
Councillor James Campbell said
an election is an important part of
having a feel for what the people
you’re representing truly want.
“There’s something to be said for
having an election. We’ve all been in
a campaign and it’s the kind of thing
that either gets you excited or it
doesn’t,” Campbell said. “Spending
time in the community gives us an
opportunity to get the feel of the
people.”
Councillor Greg McClinchey sees
things from the other side as he was
appointed to his job, and said an
appointment is different than an
election but doesn’t mean the
representative is any less in touch
with the community.
“I’m appointed and I’d be happy to
run in an election. I feel the people
support me and I have spent a lot of
time talking to them,” McClinchey
said.
McClinchey said when the
position opened up he brought forth
a detailed resume and a petition
signed from over 100 people from
the community.
Another cost to be taken in
consideration beyond the estimated
$3-$5,000 is the lost productivity of
the township staff as they use their
time to help organize a by-election.
There was some interest in
advertising in the local newspapers
and radio stations, although not
everyone agreed that was the best
way to conjure up interest, with
McClinchey pointing out that people
who would be truly interested should
already be informed of the vacancy
through the local media.
Clerk-administrator Kriss Snell
reminded council they have 60 days
to make a decision, which puts the
deadline around the end of October.
“The Municipal Act is silent on
how you get to that point, but it’s 60
days to appoint or call a by-
election,” Snell said.
“The Act is very specific in saying
that we have a duty to keep council
filled however we choose,”
McClinchey said.
MacGowan said something has to
be decided quickly to get things
moving. “I think it’s prudent on this
council to decide one way or another
to get the process in motion.”
Although members agreed the
issue needs to be acted upon
promptly, it was tabled until the next
meeting.
Accepting tenders for this year’swinter maintenance proved to besomewhat difficult at Huron East’s
Sept. 4 council meeting.
The first issue they had to deal with
was a “poor turnout” as public works
manager Barry Mills put it, receiving
just two tenders for snowplowing
with a grader, just one tender for
snowplowing with a tandem truck
and no tenders for snowplowing in
the municipality’s urban areas.
The tender for snowplowing with a
grader was met and accepted by
council by Merner Contracting Ltd.,
however, not before a lengthydiscussion regarding the standby rateHuron East was paying. All tenderswere based on a three-year termbetween the companies and themunicipality.Huron East tendered the job with a
standby rate of $40 per day, which
Merner met. However, the second
company who bid on the job, Ryan
Construction, opted to change some
numbers, requesting a $60 per day
standby rate with additional fuel
rates.
The floor was opened for
discussion when an amendment was
proposed to the motion which would
change the standby rate to $60 per
day.Some councillors thought that itshould be changed in the spirit of fairness, as councillor Bill Siemon informed council that the Huron County standby rate is $75 per day, well under Huron East’s
$40.
The amendment was defeated and
Merner’s tender was accepted as
originally submitted and tendered by
the municipality.
Mills’ recommendation for the
remaining two tenders were that the
municipality accept the only tender
for snowplowing with a tandem truck
submitted by Ryan Construction with
adjustments made by Ryan, changing
the standby rate to $60 per day.Mills also suggested thatsnowplowing in urban areas not bere-tendered and the municipalitywould attempt to take care of itthemselves with the 1988 grader theyhave, which needs some minor
repairs.
Both of these recommendations
were not accepted and both of the
jobs will be re-tendered at the new
established rate of $60 per day.
Mills said the municipality’s 1988
grader is in “fair condition” and that
there are drawbacks. The
municipality would have to hire an
employee for 400 hours to operate
the grader.
Clerk-administrator Jack McLach-lan said issuing both tenders at thenew established rate gives allcontractors a fair shot at the tender,putting everyone on an even playingfield.Councillor David Blaney
expressed his concern about the
situation, citing a similar incident in
Milton where the city waited too
long, got on the bad side of
contractors and had to pay over
double what the the original tender
was.
Mayor Joe Seili had similar
concerns. After the motion to re-
tender was carried, he said, “I hope
you all have shovels.”
NH still pondering how to fill vacancy
Huron East has poor showing of tenders
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