Dalton McGuinty has made it clear
A little
previously that his government would
honour its commitment to upload $1.5
billion in provincial costs from the
information
municipal property tax base by 2018. In
addition, he previously assured
municipalities that his government
would not download new costs onto the
and
“Public figures,” are, for the most part,
For starters, let us set the mood. It was
shoulders of municipalities. The
normal human beings, just like us. Yet few
sombre, according to the mayors. Ontario
Commission acknowledges that the
of us can comprehend the intricacies and
is swimming in red ink.
uploads are in the public’s best interest,
demands of public life.
conventional
The austerity themewas obvious during
and that municipal governments are
So, we tend to jump to conclusions about
the conference, as was the need for
struggling with their own fiscal
our political people.
collaboration. There was talk of salary
pressures.”
For example, a group of politicians from
freezes, police service funding, the
So, as you can see, our politicians
wisdom
thecountrygoestoaconventioninabigcity.
environment, local food production,
havemuchtotalkaboutwhentheyattend
Sure,youarethinking–“(Insertfavourite
globalization, Ontarians’ work habits,
a convention.
swear word) Party Time! Party Time at the
landfill sites, and of course, fiscal restraint.
But, the question is: In this day and
taxpayers’ expense!”
As we all know, a little bit, or byte, of
ThatcloudyouseehangingoverOntario
age, why are our governments relying on
You would probably be thinking wrong.
information can be dangerous, if it falls into
is Don Drummond’s Commission on the
the old-fashioned face-to-face, live and
Although it is impossible to keep tabs on our
the wrong hands and is twisted beyond
Reform of Ontario’s Public Service, a set of
in-person convention? Why can’t they
representatives when they immerse
recognition.
recommendations that – gird your bank
just organize a webinar on water rates,
themselves in municipal affairs in the
Because most issues are complex, multi-
accounts – is designed to help the province
Skype about sewage, or chat online about
concrete jungle, it is safe to say that there is
layeredandnuanced,apersonmustemploy
get out of debt.
landfill leachate?
also some business conducted at these get-
time-consuming and objective analytical
“All of Ontario’s governments,
The value of a convention is
togethers. While it is true the Good Roads
methods to arrive at sound and logical
provincial and municipal, face very real
sporadically debated at local councils.
convention was at one time dubbed the
conclusions. In the perfect world, everyone
fiscal challenges and we all have a
You will recall that Hawkesbury
“Good Times” convention, let us assume
would invest much time and effort into
comprehensive report to consider,” said
council got into a real ripper of a fight last
that the gatherings are nowmore sober than
assessing all aspects of a subject, taking a
AMO President Gary McNamara. “We all
year when certain members called for
they were years ago.
step back to take an unbiased look at the Big
have a shared interest in changes that
tighter controls on reimbursement of
Besides, in today’s connected world,
Picture.
achieve better value for taxpayers, reduce
expenses and a clearer definition of what
there are no secrets. Even the tiniest
Butnobodyhastimetodothat.Wedonot
duplication, improve services and control
qualifies as a justifiable cost.
transgression could end up on YouTube.
live in a perfect world. So, we tend to take
costs.”
The conventional wisdom is that
So, if they are not wearing lampshades
slices of life, a slice at a time, or accept things
The Commission acknowledges that the
schmoozing with other politicians is a
and getting sloshed, what are our
at “face value.”
‘provincial-municipal relationship’ is
necessarypartofarepresentative’swork.
representatives doing at these meetings?
Most people are honest so they assume
complex and intertwined.
However,thedebateoverconventions
Obviously, if you need to ask, you do not
that most people are honest, or at least not
Municipalities say there is merit to
may eventually become a non-issue issue
comprehend municipal politics, which is a
evil.
exploring the report’s recommendations
as governments adopt more Internet-
complex world, we are told.
For example, politicians have a sketchy
in areas such as social programs, housing,
based gizmos that permit politicians to
A recent session of Prescott-Russell
reputation but they are an essential element
health care, justice system costs, labour
“travel” without ever leaving town hall.
united counties council included an item
of our free and open society. Besides, we
relations.
As the municipal world evolves, trips to
entitled: “What mayors retained from the
elect them and we assume that collectively
This is a biggie: “AMO is anxious about
Toronto to conduct business may go the
Rural Ontario Municipal Association-
we are smart enough to choose people who
the potential for altering the upload
way of dial-up.
Ontario Good Roads Association
are fine upstanding citizens who do their
agreement and the Ontario Municipal
An online “meeting” may not be as
(ROMA-OGRA) conference.”
utmost to represent at all times.
Partnership Fund. The Commission is
effective as a face-to-face encounter with
NEWS
recommending to delay planned uploads
a minister, but, for old time’s sake, surely
of provincial costs from the municipal
the politicians could always find time for
property tax base by two years. Premier
a virtual cocktail hour.
MANOIR CARILLON MANOR 613 632-3434
Social services caseload rises
The number of Prescott-Russell residents relying on social assistance has risen from
2,428 to 2,527 over the last year, according to a report submitted by social services
department administrator Anne Comtois Lalonde. The number of Ontario Works
program beneficiaries has gone from 1,918 to 2,026 while the number of recipients in
hostels has decreased from 510 to 501.
Longer waiting lists
Waiting lists for non-profit housing are getting longer. The number of families has
increased from679 to 795 while the number of senior citizens on the list has jumped from
244 to 356.
“Bee” is the buzz word
Prescott-Russell counties council was abuzz Tuesday morning when members
ratified a suggestion that May 29 be declared Day of the Honey Bee. Noting the
SERVICES / SERVICES • Résidence pour les aînés / Home for the aged • Salle de bains adaptée / Adapted bathroom
importance of pollination to the vital agricultural industry, council approved the sweet
idea by Honey Bee Day movement leader Clinton Shane Ekdahl, of Saskatoon, who
• Système de caméras de surveillance / Security Camera System • Air climatisé/Ascenseur/Génératrice / AC/Elevator/Generator • Coiffeuse sur place / Hairstylist on premises
wants to raise awareness about the value of honey bees. In addition to a proclamation,
Bee Day may also include school and community events to celebrate the creatures that
are responsible for 70 per cent of food crop pollination, related county economic
• Service de buanderie / Bedding and personal laundry • Service de navette / Shuttle services • Activités quotidiennes / Daily activities • Repas maison santé / Healthy homemade meals • Soins de répit / Respite SOINS MÉDICAUX / HEALTH CARE • Directrice / Director: Linda Riopel • Visite du médecin 3 fois par semaine / Doctor visit 3 times a week
development director Sylvain Charlebois.
• Personnel 24 h/24 / 24hr/24 personnel • Infirmière / Nurse: Marguerite Kemp RN
Service de pneus et mécanique générale • Tire service and general mechanic
• Prélevements sanguins sur place / Bloodwork done on premises • Soins complets donnés aux résidants / Complete care give • Soins des pieds mensuels gratuits / Free monthly foot care • Physiothérapie 3 à 5 jours par semaine / Physiotherapy 3 to 5 days a week
Au plai s i r de vous recevoi r ! Look ing forward to seeing you!
Recevez une prime de 1000 $ si vous reférez un résident avec un contrat minimum de 1 an
Plusieurs nouveaux modèles “Laroche” et Ter-O Concept • Many new “Laroche” Ter-O Concept models
Commencant à : / Starting at: $1,495.00 Par mois, tout inclus / Monthly all included Chambre privée avec salle de bains privée Private room with private bathroom 1988, rueMain St., Chute-à-Blondeau, ONK0B 1B0 Tél. : 613 632-3434—Téléc./Fax: 613 632-9433 Courriel/Email: manoircarillon@yahoo.ca
Nous faisons l’entretienderemorques,VRetvéhicules. •Weservice trailers,RVsandvehicles VENTEDEREMORQUESETDEPIÈCES •PARTS&TRAILERSSALE •VENTEDEROUESD’ALLIAGE •MAGWHEELSSALE
7, RUE CROOKS, GRENVILLE, QC • 819 242-2986 PNEUS
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker