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Lakeshore Advance, 2013-05-01, Page 6Wednesda , May 1, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 5 Community letters to the editor Reader wants council to listen to consultant 1)ear Editor, 1 Iow tunny months before the next election? Was the employment of Nigel Bellchaunber a waste of money 11111 a colossal waste of time by the Lambton Shores Council? For an expenditure of $3000.011 they hired one of the best teachers of the operational fundamentals of municipal councils and the role of a municipal councillor. 1 lowever, there st'elut'd to be little evidence in the last few meetings of any change in the ways some councillors operate. 41pTrue rue there are a few councillors who seem .,, know how to "set a course and steer" the ship of state and then let their staff do the "rowing" (the jobs they are paid to do). It really is not a difficult concept to grasp. Unfortunately it seems there are some coun- cillors (about five, labelled in some circles as "famous") who seem to have misunderstood or rejected the recommendations that Mr. Beilchamber proposed. 'Hwy seen) to want to (for some unknown reason) to "row the bout" while setting policy and steering. Regrettably this situation continues to pro- duce: uneven applications of Council poli- cies, regressive decisions (S'l'F), massive micro -managing, regular ignoring of staff recommendations, obvious pandering to special interest groups, delays and a recur. ting waste olcouncil's valuable time (meddling in Provincial and Federal jurisdictions), squandering taxpayer's money, an increasing lack of transparency, and after two and a half years, the lengthen- ing of a list of reprimands from the Ombuds- man of Ontario. With Just over one and a half years left in this Council's mandate it is to be hoped that any councillor who seem to have not yet grasped how municipal governance is supposed to work might rethink how he/ she approaches their role as a councillor. If not the voters of Lanlbton Shores should consider their options in the next election. 'the issue of "cash in lieu" parking policy illustrates the uneven application of council policy. Why not admit that a mistake was made and then get back to imposing the pol- icy? Mistakes do happen but it was a wise decision by the Council to reaffirm the origi- nal polity. 'Ihe mistake would remain regret- table but admitting it could bt' the end of it. Why not stop wasting time. and start snaking decisions on the more important matters facing the council? If policies on other issues need changing, then change them, but then apply them consistently - (that is set policy and maintain policy but tt't the staff do the "rowing"). Micromanaging stands out as the greatest mistake being matte. Qualified staff exists to do the "boat rowing"- it is a fundamental fea- ture of Canadian democracy. It is difficult to OPP warn public of potential safety risk OPP Members of the Ontario Provincial Police (()PP) are warn- ing the public of a potential safety risk in light of several investigated incidents by the OPP. 111 a recent situation this week, two OPP members were to, nt to hospital from inhaling 1 lydrogen Sulfide fumes while tervening to aid a victim. Both officers are expected to make a fall recovery. Should members of the public conte upon someone who appears to be sleeping in a vehicle or another enclosed space and is unresponsive they should call police immediately and use extreme caution in attempting to access the victim. Prior to opening the vehicle floor, look inside for written signs or chemicals being used. The gas concentration in the vehicle will be extremely high and inhalation of the fumes may be fatal to the responder. 1 lydrogen sulphide IA a gas that smells like rotten eggs and is not present in vehicles unless introduced there by the vic- tim, 'Ihe danger to responders and public are that this gas is very similar to cyanide and it is five tinges more toxic than carbon monoxide. In some Instances, victims have posted notes on vehicle windows warning rescuers not to enter the vehicle. If inhaled at low levels it can cause eye irritation, sore throat, cough, nausea, shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs. Moderate exposure can cause fatigue, Toss of appetite, vomiting, staggering and headaches. Concentrated high exposure can cause convulsions, amnesia, respiratory paraly- sis and death by asphyxiation. understand why some councillors feel it nec- essary to do the staff's jobs when they seem to assign a councillor as "oversight" to most files, seem to attempt to provide expertise to committees, seem to direct staff to not pro- vide recommendations in written reports, seem to seek legal advice without staff involvement, seem to communicate directly with government officials (Build Canada), seem to avoid assigning staff to committees (ad hoc committee on sewers or the eco- nomic task force {headed by the Deputy Mayor} etc). 1)it1 not Mr. Belichamber recom- mend that they stop doing this as a means of improving the operation of the council and thus shorten the council meetings? Wasn't that the original rationale for requesting the session with Mr. Bellchamber? Are ratepayers getting value for their taxes? it seems that squandering hard earned taxes is becoming a growing issue. Both minor and major amounts have been spent with little of value in return. One example is it seems that some council members have not gained much from the $3000.00 spent on Mr. Bell - chamber. What did it cost to fire the (:AO (in legal fees, plus the salary settlement, plus the bump in pay for the interim CAO, plus the $20,000.00 just to hint a new (:AO)? Was it really necessary to bump up the request for funds by the Southcott Pine's group to $10,000.00 when the increase wasn't even Maria Dunn In Bayfteld Friday Lakeshore Advance luno- nominated songwriter Maria Dunn will be in Bayfield Friday for the Huron Women's Shelter fundraiser. Dunn draws deeply on the folk tra- dition of storytelling through song. A true preserver of the spirit of folk music, she is often compared to Woody Guthrie for her keen social awareness and her unvarnished songs about the lives of working men and women. If you go: Where: Bayfield Town 114111 - 11 Clan Gregor Square, Bayfield, ON When: Friday, May 3rd (ii HOOpnl. Who: Opening act - Danielle Durand, headliner - Maria Dunn (luno -nominated storyteller through song) 'Pickets are on -sale now at Main Street Optometric (Bayfield), Ernie King Music (Goderich), and online at www.ticketscene.ca This is a fundraising event for the Huron Women's Shelter. Tickets are $20.00 ($12 for student 1 ti and tinder). http://mariadunn.com/press/bio requested? The hundreds of thousands of dollars to re-engineer the sewage treatment plant and the fact that Build Canada has not yet agreed to fund the downsized plant should be cause for concern "for value received" for money spent. After promising, in the election campaign, more transparency, some members of the council seem to be failing to deliver. Engag- ing in endless "in camera" sessions mikes their practices of governance more and more opaque - not transparent. The continuance of the question period doe's not seem to lead to transparency either. In fact it seems to be just a convenience or a stale for individuals to attack and try to embarrass those council members or staff with which they seem to have Some major or trivial "beef'. Why not take the advice given and drop the "question period"? It could help to shorten the meetings. Is this "re -invention'; of how a municipal council does its job the "new direction" some councillors promised us when they fired the CAO? After two and a half years and one year before a "lame cluck" status, is it not reason- able to demand the adoption of the $3000.00 worth of recommendations from Mr. Bellchanlber? Sincerely Yours Eric Shafer Dave Sheppard Coyote food? Photog Dave Sheppard captured this shot on Saturday on Greenway Rd, right where the Tundra Swans are In abundance in March. He says thls swan may be stranded and as the ponds disappear the swan Is threatened by coyotes. "It can't fly, but can wade around for food.