THE ISSUES - STAFF ACCOUNTABILITY
PAY EQUITY STUDY (in brief)
In the summer of 2014, the Clerk wrote a report which cited legislative compliance as a lever to advance an out-of-budget project - namely, a Pay Equity Study and a Market Value Review. When questioned by Councillors about the omission from the 2014 budget, the Clerk's verbal response contradicted the Clerk's own written report - but Council did not press the issue.
A member of the public gallery questioned the contradiction, and subsequently submitted a letter urging Council to revisit the issue. The Mayor then issued a written response on behalf of Council, basically confirming that legislation was apparently a non-issue after all, and that the balance of the work had already been scheduled to take place 2014.
In trying to explain away the issues, the response has instead put Council and Staff right back at square one. If legislation does not require part of the work, why was the reference to compliance used as a lever in the report? And if the second part of the project was scheduled for 2014, why was it not part of the 2014 budget discussions. These questions remain unanswered ... the work on the study is moving ahead (at an out-of-budget expense of $7,000) ... and Staff remains completely unaccountable for the whole issue.
[Click] for more details.
A member of the public gallery questioned the contradiction, and subsequently submitted a letter urging Council to revisit the issue. The Mayor then issued a written response on behalf of Council, basically confirming that legislation was apparently a non-issue after all, and that the balance of the work had already been scheduled to take place 2014.
In trying to explain away the issues, the response has instead put Council and Staff right back at square one. If legislation does not require part of the work, why was the reference to compliance used as a lever in the report? And if the second part of the project was scheduled for 2014, why was it not part of the 2014 budget discussions. These questions remain unanswered ... the work on the study is moving ahead (at an out-of-budget expense of $7,000) ... and Staff remains completely unaccountable for the whole issue.
[Click] for more details.
BUILDING RENOVATIONS (in brief)
It seems that Council is reluctant to ask Staff the tough questions, and to put their foot down. Don't believe us? In this section, we'll spell it out in black and white. Under construction - no details published yet.
PLEASE ATTEND COUNCIL MEETINGS
The clearest, most effective message you can send to Council, is to attend their meetings. So long as the public gallery is empty, they will get the impression that no one cares.
It would be hypocritical to hold Council responsible for the outcome of all things if we are perpetually absent from the process, ourselves.
Typically, Council meetings are held on Mondays. [Click] to open the Township's official calendar in a new window.
It would be hypocritical to hold Council responsible for the outcome of all things if we are perpetually absent from the process, ourselves.
Typically, Council meetings are held on Mondays. [Click] to open the Township's official calendar in a new window.