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Wednesday, December 8, 2010 Orono Weekly Times - 3 New council gets hung up on Veridian appointments In a packed council chamber, Clarington's newly elected council was officially sworn into office on Monday night. In his inaugural address, Clarington's new Mayor, Adrian Foster, introduced the council, consisting of three returning members and three new members. New to council are Joe Neal representing Ward 1, Corinna Traill representing Ward 3, and Wendy Partner representing Ward 4. Returning Councillors are Ron Hooper representing Ward 2, Mary Novak, Regional Councillor for Wards 1 and 2, and Willie Woo, Regional Councillor for Wards 3 and 4. The Mayor's inaugural address stressed the importance of council working together as an effective and efficient team, along with staff and the residents of Clarington to build a strong future. Following the address, council made a number of committee appointments. Appointments to the three Conservation Authorities that operate in Clarington and the one appointment to the Land Division Committee went smoothly. Appointments to the board of Veridian Corporation, the local electricity supplier of which Clarington is a shareholder, went less smoothly. Since the creation of Veridian in 1999 through the amalgamation of a number of local utility commissions including Clarington, the Municipality has had four positions on its board. These positions have traditionally been held by the mayor, a councillor and two members from the community. While members to most committees are either paid a stipend or nothing at all for attending meetings, Veridian Board members are paid an annual $12,500 directors' fee plus expenses for attending four meetings per year. When, at the inaugural meeting of the last four-year term of council (2006-2010), Adrian Foster was nominated as the councillor to sit on the Veridian Board, Novak Clarington's CAO Frank Wu (L) placed the chain of office over of the shoulders of Mayor Adrian Foster (R) following Monday's swearing-in ceremony. moved to go in-camera to discuss the appointment. When council emerged from their closed-door session, they approved Foster for the first half of the four-year term and Novak for the second half of the term. On Monday night, after Mayor Foster's appointment to the Veridian Board was approved, Novak said she had decided to withdraw her name from the nominations list because of some "finagling" going on. Councillor Neal was then nominated and elected to fill the second Veridian Board position. Former Clarington Councillor Jim Schell, who has previous Veridian Corporation Board experience, was nominated for the community member position on the Board. Before the vote on whether or not to accept Schell's nomination could take place, Councillor Neal moved to table the process of electing community members until the next council meeting. His motion was seconded by Councillor Traill, and carried. Following the meeting, Neal said he wanted the opportunity to meet with the individuals on the list of nominees to the Veridian Board, to find out "where they stand on issues." Veridian being a profit-driven corporation, Neal said he wants to know if the members appointed by council would still look after the interest of Clarington taxpayers who are also Veridian customers. "I would also want to know if they would vote themselves a raise," Neal stated. In 2008, the Veridian Board members increased their annual remuneration from $10,800 to $12,500. Jim Schell, who now lives in Muskoka but still owns property in Clarington, told the Orono Times following the meeting that there seems to be a need on the Veridian Board for people with business and financial expertise and some past experience. "All that seems a good fit," he said. He also said the current Chair of Veridian Corporation, a member from Belleville, lives in Ottawa. "So the precedent has been set." Clarington's fourth board position is on the Veridian Connections Board -- the electricity distribution side of the business. This member will be elected by the Veridian Corporation Board, not Clarington council. Veridian has advertised in the community for persons interested in sitting on this board. ~ Happenings ~ Until Jan.1, 2011 - 3301 Old Scugog Road Christmas Lights, Bowmanville. Come and enjoy the Christmas lights and donate non-perishable food for the Clarington East Food Bank. Saturday, December 11, 2010 - Chocolate Worshop, A Gift of Art, Newcastle. Produce a chocolate creation, no nut products. Contact 905-987-2264 for more info. Sunday, December 12, 2010 - St. Saviour's Heritage Christmas Dinner, carols 5:30 pm, dinner 6:00 pm, St. Saviour's Hall. Tickets 905-983-9642, adults $12, children 6-12 $6, under 6 free. Wednesday, December 15, 2010 - Oddfellow & Rebekah Centre Roof Fund Dinner, 6pm, Pork Loin & Homemade Pies, advanced tickets only, $15. Contact Connie at 905-983-5726. Monday, December 20, 2010 - Seniors' Christmas Tea, 1:30 pm, Orono Public School. RSVP School at 905-983-5006 by Dec 10. Friday, December 31, 2010 - New Years Eve Dinner & Dance, Orono Town Hall, Contact Judy for tickets and info 905-983-9494.