COBDEN — There are a few changes to the chairs and co-chairs of committees of council for the Township of Whitewater Region.
The changes were approved during yesterday’s special council meeting, held following the Committee of Council meeting.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin questioned why there was restructuring, a new committee and renaming of some of the committees.
Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay explained that human resources was added because it was included in the corporate services committee, which just made that portfolio to large. He noted that the collective agreement will have to be negotiated because the current one expires in 2018, which could be a lot of work.
Coun. McLaughlin also questioned why a citizen was still being appointed to a board that pays a remuneration.
CAO Tremblay said appointments and remunerations are not to be mixed up. He said if a board wants to pay an honourarium, the amount is determined by the board, not council.
Coun. McLaughlin also had questions regarding his appointment to the Renfrew Community Policing Advisory Committee, noting if he had been advised of his appointment prior to the meeting, the questions could have been avoided. However, once the questions were answered, his concern of being “bogged down” were alleviated.
The Appointments
Councillor Chris Olmstead and Reeve Terry Millar will chair and co-chair, respectively, the building and planning committee and the community services committee. Councillor Charlene Jackson will chair the ad hoc development committee with members Councillors Dave Mackay and McLaughlin.
Counc, Jackson will chair the corporate services committee with Coun. Olmstead being the co-chair.
Reeve Millar will chair the economic committee with Mayor Hal Johnson as co-chair.
Coun. McLaughlin will chair the emergency services committee with Coun. Jackson as co-chair.
Coun. Mackay and Mayor Johnson will chair and co-chair, respectively, the environmental services committee.
Councillor Cathy Regier will chair the human resources and the roads, property and protection committee. Mayor Johnson will co-chair human resources and Coun. Mackay will co-chair roads, property and protection.
The above committees include all members of council.
The appointments to boards and commissions: Coun. Olmstead will sit on the Cobden and District Recreation Association; Coun. McLaughlin will sit on the Pembroke and Area Airport Commission, Whitewater Historical Society and the Renfrew Community Policing Advisory Committee; Reeve Millar is on the Upper Ottawa Valley Community Policing Advisory Committee; Coun. Mackay is on the Renfrew County Veterinarian Association; and Mayor Johnson will sit on the Ottawa River Power Corporation, Whitewater Bromley Community Health Centre, Whitewater Historical Society and the Whitewater Public Library Board. Beachburg resident Bernie Tracy was appointed to the Ottawa River Energy Solutions Board.
