Joe would like bike lanes on Grants Settlement Road
The issue of bike lanes along Grants Settlement Road was again discussed by Whitewater Region council.
Joe Kowalski was at a public meeting hosted by council last night to discuss a rezoning issue. While at the delegate table, he also spoke about how busy Grants Settlement Road is.
“We have to recognize that Grants Settlement Road is the single most popular road in all of Renfrew County,” he said. “As a business owner, I would support a tax increase on the business levy. If there’s one road that needs bike lanes, it’s this one.”
While all country roads need bike lanes, Mr. Kowalski said Grants Settlement Road is busy not only with vehicular traffic, but roller blading, cyclists, walkers, and horseback riders.
This road is “hugely important” to the municipality and the county, he said.
“I’ve been living and working for 41 years in the area,” Mr. Kowalski said. “I am most excited about growth in our region, this council and the direction its going.”
Grants Settlement Road could be the jewel of this area, he added.
Council has discussed the issue and will again, said Mayor Hal Johnson.
Bill Misener, public works manager for the township, said the road is currently under construction but is not going to have bike lanes. It’s more appropriate to have a paved road for bike lanes, not chip surface treatment, which is what is being done this year, he explained.
“There are options for widening the road,” he said. “We can look at ways of doing it as economically as possible while providing a good surface.”
Councillor Chris Olmstead noted with the county reconstructing the Queens Line and putting in bike lanes and the CN Trail negotiations happening, it would be a good time to also add bike lanes to Grants Settlement Road, as they all tie in together.
He questioned if council was still considering making a formal request to Renfrew County to take over Grants Settlement Road.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin recalled just recently travelling on the road and having to stop for people rollerblading.
“Somebody is going to get hurt,” he said. “There’s so much congestion, corners and curves. We need to look to the county and the province to help us.
“I’m in favour of doing something,” he added.
Mayor Johnson asked the issue be discussed at the next public works committee meeting.
Former politician gives advice
A former municipal politician with 21 years experience provided council with advice on how to treat discussions regarding employees.
Stan Keon, who had been a Cobden councillor, said when he returned from being away and read the story in a local paper about the chief administrative officer not following policy set out by council, he was dismayed to see the discussion occurred in an open council meeting and the comments made by some council members made them seem like they didn’t know they were operating a business.
The discussion occurred because there was some concern the CAO had overspent by $3,000, as per the municipal policy, he said. The comments from some council members was concerning, he said, such as “The CAO can be trusted,” and “The CAO acted within her responsibility,” and “Why have a CAO if you are going to micro-manage,” he recalled.
“The policy was broken and council cannot ignore that it had been broken,” Mr. Keon said.
He was also concerned with the lack of council members who did not speak up.
While events have changed, since the CAO is no longer employed by the municipality, Mr. Keon said, “When you are dealing with employees and policy, you would have set a precedent by ignoring the policy. (Council) is mandated to manage Whitewater Region.
“You have to make employees accountable,” he said. “Most of you are business people. I know I would have concerns if someone were to contravene my policy. You can’t just say it’s okay.”
However, dealing with the employee in the public eye is not the proper way, Mr. Keon said.
“Any time you deal with employees, deal with it in a closed meeting,” he said.
No donation to the Red Cross
The Red Cross won’t see any money from Whitewater Region township to help with the costs of the victims of the Fort McMurray wildfires.
Council received, but did not accept, a challenge from the Township of Killaloe-Hagarty-Richards to donate $200 to the Red Cross Alberta Fire Appeal.
In a letter addressed to all municipalities in Ontario from K-H-R, part of it reads, “Fort McMurray in northern Alberta is starting its recovery from the destruction left by wildfires that destroyed homes and businesses…More than 88,000 people had to leave their homes in and around Fort McMurray. Many have lost everything in the fire.”
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin said, “This is a personal thing.
“We are spending taxpayers’ dollars.”
While he agrees money is needed, Coun. McLaughlin said it shouldn’t be from the taxpayers’ coffers, but from each person as an individual.
“If the taxpayers want to support the Red Cross, they can send their own money,” he said.
Mayor Hal Johnson and Councillor Chris Olmstead both agreed, noting they know many within the municipality who have made individual donations.
“We are removing the choice of the taxpayer if (council) were to make a donation,” Mayor Johnson said.
