The Citizen, 2003-02-26, Page 28PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2003.
HE council agrees on remuneration
By David Blaney
Special to The Citizen
Huron East council decided'to
grasp the nettle and deal with the
issue of councillors’ remuneration at
its Feb. 18 meeting.
The issue has been casually
mentioned several times in the last
year but council has never directly
addressed the subject of pay
increases.
Clerk Jack McLachlan presented
councillors with a report indicating
that while Huron East was the
second largest municipality in
Huron County its council was
second to last in terms of
remuneration. Only Howick Twp.
paid its council members Jess.
In terms of total council expenses
for such items as honorariums,
meeting fees, mileage and
conventions South Huron. Central
Huron and Morris-Turnberry all
exceeded the total for Huron East by
between $13,000 and $17,000.
Presenting a report she referred to
as a place of beginning Mayor Lin
Steffler suggested that the method of
recompensing council be changed.
She suggested moving from a
combination of honorarium and fee
per meeting to a system based solely
on an increased honorarium.
She suggested rates of $12,000 for
the mayor, $10,000 for the deputy
mayor and $8,000 for councillors.
As well council members would
receive mileage for municipal-
related travel.
This would have resulted in
increases of approximately $4,000
for the deputy-mayor, $3,000 for the
mayor and $2,000 for councillors.
The mayor indicated however that
she was presenting the proposal to
provide a basis for discussion and
was quite open to any alternate
suggestions council wished to
examine.
Several councillors indicated they
were uncomfortable with an all
honorarium system. Councillor Greg
Wilson said, “I like being paid for
the meetings 1 attend." This
sentiment was echoed by Councillor
Joe Seili who commented, “If I don’t
show up 1 don’t deserve to be paid."
Deputy-Mayor Bernie MacLellan
suggested keeping a fee for meetings
and doubling the current
honorariums with the mayor
receiving $6,000, the deputy mayor
$4,000 and councillors $2,000.
He commented that his business
and duties on county council
sometimes kept him from attending
Huron East meetings and went on to
say, “I agree we should only get paid
for meetings we attend."
The timing of the proposed
increases was the subject of
discussion with Councillor Dick
Burgess saying. “I would be more
comfortable with setting a rate for
the incoming council rather than
giving ourselves a raise.’’ MacLellan
indicated however that he felt
council was justified in raising the
honorarium for 2003.
Burgess suggested that a place
council could look at an increase
was the rate paid for mileage. The
current Huron East rate is 35 cents a
kilometre and he indicated a rate of
42 cents would be more equitable.
Burgess quoted research he had done
which indicated the latter was a
more accurate reflection of the cost
of driving.
Council decided to find out the
rates currently being paid by other
area municipalities prior to making a
decision.
McLachlan cautioned members
that the new municipal act required
that the public be informed of
OPP look for items from victim’s home
Officers from the Huron Ontario
Provincial Police detachment, under
the direction of OPP Criminal
Investigation Branch, are looking for
the public’s assistance in finding
some personal belongings they
believe were taken from the home of
a 24-year-old man around the time of
his death.
The body of Felix Barufe was
discovered on Thursday, Feb. 6 at
approximately 9 p.m. after officers
responded to a 9-1-1 call at the
Fordwich residence where the
deceased lived alone.
Police confirm they have recovered
the victim’s wallet approximately six
kilometres from the scene on County
Rd. 87 just north of Fordwich. Police
proposed changes to council
remuneration prior to their
implementation. He suggested that
the changes could be advertised and
the public be given a chance to
comment at the public meetings held
when the budget for the municipality
is discussed.
McLachlan suggested a bylaw
relating to councillors’ remuneration
could be discussed as early as the
March 4 council meeting when it is
expected aspects of the 2003 budget
would be discussed.
Treasurer Brad Knight added, “We
would like to get the budget up on
the website but I am not sure that we
will be able to do that this year.’’
also located stereo components near
the rear of the residence and believe
other stereo equipment was stolen.
What officers are looking for is a
five-gallon pail that contains loonies
and toonies totalling approximately
$3,000. Investigators are looking for
help and would like to hear about
anyone who may have been
purchasing items using a large
amount of loonies and toonies in the
past three weeks.
As well, investigators continue to
trace the last few days of the
deceased. Barufe drove two vehicles
in the community and was known to
frequent Midland, Guelph,
Mississauga, Etobicoke, Listowel,
Shelburne, and Orangeville areas.
increase
In addressing the proposed
changes Councillor Graeme
MacDonald pointed out the political
reality of council members’ position.
“I think we should set the increase
and if the public doesn't like it they
can vote us out,” he commented.
Councillors decided to
recommend MacLellan’s suggestion
of a limited increase in council
honorariums coupled with the
current system of meeting fees.
They also decided to recommend
limiting each councillors’
convention budget to $1,500 with
any amount over this to be the
responsibility of the individual
councillor.
Shelburne and Orangeville are areas
where the young man had lived
before moving to the Howick Twp.
residence 18 months ago.
The two vehicles he drove were a
1999 blue Chev S10 pickup truck
with Ontario licence plates #868-5KE
and a white 2001 Grand Am with
large racing spoiler on the rear with
Ontario licence plates AMXA-881.
He was also an avid drag race care
enthusiast and owned a modified
1994 grey Trans Am used for racing.
This vehicle also had Ontario licence
plates #ADWS-643.
Anyone with information is asked
to call the Huron OPP 1-519-524-
8314 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-
8477(TIPS).
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