by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — A Cobden resident is hoping a development company will not receive a loan from Whitewater Region Township council.
Sharon Davidson spoke against the loan at the March 23 council meeting. She questioned if BEI (Bonnechere Excavating Inc.) receives a loan from the township to extend water and sewage lines to the corner property at Wallace Drive and Hwy. 17, does this mean other developers will also receive loans?
She is concerned with where taxpayers dollars are being spent
“I was upset when I read a letter in the Whitewater News from Donald Deer that you thought there is a need to spend $60,000 to fix the tourist booth,” she said. “I guess council hasn’t heard about GPS.”
However, when she heard about the possibility of a loan for BEI, Ms. Davidson felt compelled to speak directly to council.
“I’ve lived in Cobden over 40 years,” she said. “I raised my three children here. This is the first time I’ve felt the need to go to a council meeting.”
Ms. Davidson noted her street has yet to have sidewalks, she has to pick her mail up at the post office and there’s no garbage pick-up without buying special bags. As well, her water bill is higher than what is paid in Renfrew and Arnprior residents.
She noted her old age pension only increased by 57 cents a month, yet everything else went up much higher.
“It’s getting that with the cost of living in Cobden, people are talking about moving elsewhere,” Ms. Davidson said.
She noted the sewage plant needs upgrades and questioned if the money to be used for the loan would be better spent on those who live in the municipality by putting it towards those upgrades.
“You were elected to look after the interests of taxpayers in Whitewater Region, who already pay enough taxes plus water and sewage,” Ms. Davidson said.
She was also concerned about the possibility of having to pay more for garbage than she already does if the curbside collection were to change. (Council voted against changing the collection, so it remains with the yellow bag system.)
Ms. Davidson also questioned if Mayor Hal Johnson was in a conflict of interest whenever BEI was discussed at the council table, considering he is an employee.
She said on five separate dates in 2015, BEI was discussed at the council table, and Mayor Johnson did not declare a conflict. However, on Feb. 3, 2016, he declared a conflict of interest. She questioned if it was because a lawyer was in the room and advised he should declare a conflict. She further noted in a newspaper article, the mayor spoke about BEI and council.
She further questioned if Mayor Johnson was present during a closed door session regarding the possibility of loaning money to BEI. She also questioned why the meeting was behind closed doors since the matter of a loan is of public interest.
Ms. Davidson read aloud from a prepared statement about the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
She further questioned why no other members of council spoke up when they noticed the mayor was in conflict of interest.
“You should all remember that your job is not a permanent position, it’s only a four year term,” she said. “When the next election comes up, you will have to answer why are taxes and water going up, but you were able to give money to a large developer,” she said.
Councillor Daryl McLauglin said a decision on the loan to BEI has not yet been decided.
Chief Administrative Officer Christine FitzSimons said under the municipal act only the council member can decide if he or she is in conflict. However, when the grant as a loan was discussed, Mayor Johnson did declare a conflict of interest, she added.
While Ms. Davidson did try to ask why BEI can’t go to the bank for a loan, Reeve Terry Millar, who was chairing the meeting until Mayor Hal Johnson could arrive, said the issue could not be debated.
Councillor Chris Olmstead said council cannot give money to a corporation, but, there’s a balancing act to be done. Explaining, he said, there is a possibility a community school could close, and the reason is because there are not enough students in the school.
“We’re sitting here trying to think of creative ways to keep our communities viable,” he said.
The three larger communities in Whitewater Region – Cobden, Beachburg and Westmeath – all have schools, arenas, firehalls, which are great resources, Coun. Olmstead said.
But, with a major highway running through the municipality, it’s much easier for people to easily leave the community, he added
“What we’re trying to do is look at ways we can keep our communities in tact and viable,” Coun. Olmstead said. “We’re getting reports that Opeongo High School is at 50 percent capacity. How can we keep it open? We keep it open by having enough families to use the schools.
“Try to understand, nobody is trying to give money to anybody, we’re trying to make our communities viable,” he said.
Ms. Davidson again tried to make comments that it’s BEI who wants the money, but Reeve Millar interjected, saying, “We can’t debate it. We’re glad to hear what you have to say on it and we’ll take it under consideration.”
