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[4 |, The South Marysburgh Mirror] Municipally Yours, Well it’s summer - and a beautiful one to date! If you are following the local papers, you’ll note the Council schedule continues to be packed with meetings. I average about 12 - 15 per month and the paper that goes along with them seems to fill every bare surface in my home. As I cast my eyes about this organized mess ( and I’m rede 1 as well!), I decided the comments of “Bill Yates” in the last Mirror warranted a response - those were the notes about the size of Council. All of the County did not go gently into amalgamation back in 1998, Iam told. At the final vote, Sophiasburgh was still opposed. This truly surprised me - I thought South Marysburgh would be kicking and screaming - but I was involved with other life issues at the time and not paying much attention to those developments. I knew there was an overriding fear that if the County did not offer up a plan e H’s would drop us in with Hastings County and that, as we knew from the past and continue to know now, was not a desirable marriage for the most part. With two tiers, there were 54 members in the 10 township/village councils and 14 at County Council with the Warden chosen by them from amongst them. Through amalgamation, representation of the historical townships, etc. remained the same except that Ameli- asburgh gained one seat based on population and the Mayor was to be elected at large. In gathering this material one person, whose wisdom I quite appreciate, noted that “ Democracy j is s not designed to would be a better model. I’ve also observed this in the Ot- tawa area - rural areas the size of our County have one voice at the city table! “City” Council members are often given a staffing complement to assist them with their role. They’re compensated more like staff and then they have paid staff. And in some areas, Councillors get to jump on the pension wagon as well! I think this is a very dangerous model. As a citizen in a democracy, I want to be represent- ed by those with a passion for their communities and their people, not someone looking for a gravy boat with flexible hours and staff to do their work. I’ve voted against the last two pay increases for PEC Council because there are enough Councillors to share a reasonable ongoing work- load and to research and initiate new ideas and programs. Those who work full time should be able to be accommo- dated, given the diversity of tasks. More work does not equal more pay in the real world - nor should it here. As long as people want to do the job and put their names for- ward, then the model works. Finally, when people want to lobby for something, getting to 16 Council members versus 5 is not for the faint of heart. Based on my own experience, the size of the PEC Council makes for better stewardship and accountability on deci- sions given the diversity of our representation. So stop in for coffee “Bill” and let’s continue the chat! Me . iA Monica Alyea Councillor, South Marysburgh (Ward 9) 613-476-8045 i .on.ca be efficient, but rather rep The public of the day demanded the above representation that honoured historical their diffe In hindsight, had I been involved at the time, I t would have voted against amalgamation because I feel it has discour- aged ity spirit an grass roots activity. I was a provincial civil servant at the time and this kind of re-alignment was rampant in the gov- ernment of the day . Services the public relied upon - envi- ronmental, agriculture, health, education, social services - were tumed topsy turvy and we continue to feel the conse- quences - not all bad, by the way. The PEC Council and the subsequent amalgamated Council and staff worked very hard to keep the best of the past. My experience makes me believe that the designated representation model we cur- rently have “works”. You may have noted the discussions in Belleville about significantly increasing the compensation of Council and the Mayor. This to me is the result of not enough Council members to share the many tasks required of the role . The logic is the work has increased - and it has -so pay them more. I think vatente more councillors extending the repre- sentation - in their d rural areas, y P Stained Glass - Continued from page 1 three hour lessons totalling twenty one hours for $90). His studio is open seven days a week by chance or by appointment (year round). To book an appointment please call 613 476 2648 or email at pe- ter_55@sympatico.ca