by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION — Thirteen organizations were on a list to receive $24,000 for the first intake of the 2019 Partnership and Sponsorship grants provided by Whitewater Region.
However, the grants were put on hold following a discussion where feathers were ruffled at last night’s council meeting.
The proposed grants were slated to go to: Beachburg Horticultural Society, $900; Big Give, $700; Crossroads Community Club, $800; Foresters Falls Athletic Association, $4,000; dodge ball league, $500; Lanark Renfrew Health and Community Services, $3,000; Muskrat Watershed Council, $5,000; Ottawa Valley Yoga and Wellness event, $550; Westmeath and District Pickle Ball, $500; Westmeath and District Recreation Association, $4,000; Whitewater Historical Society, $2,500; White Water Rocks, $550; and Whiskers of Whitewater, $1,000. The township received a total of 19 applications totalling $59,011. On the list not to receive funds were Beachburg Agricultural Society, Breadwinner’s Cufflinks Junior Gentleman Club, Ottawa Valley Yoga and the Tyler McEnroe Memorial Hockey Tournament. Two were deferred to the September 1 intake — Cobden Santa Claus Parade and Renfrew County Junior Farmers.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin questioned if those who received grants last year, and were receiving funds this year, had reported what they spent the money on – which had been a stipulation of receiving the grants.
Community Services Manager Jordan Durocher said reports had been received and will be provided to Coun. McLaughlin
When questioned about funding to Whitewater Whiskers by Councillor Dave Mackay, Mr. Durocher explained it is to help with the spaying and neutering of feral cats. However, Coun. Mackay noted this does not help with the problem of feral cats.
Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay noted the money is paid directly to the veterinarian.
Councillor Neil Nicholson said there were two new organizations that received grants this year – White Water Rocks and Ottawa Valley Yoga and Wellness event.
He noted White Water Rocks is a private event and if the person makes money, he “walks home with the money.”
While the grants aren’t to fund an event to make money, he said this is an opportunity for tourism. The money will go towards advertising.
Reeve Cathy Regier questioned why all of council can’t be on the decision-making of which organizations/events receive funding.
“We as a council should decide who gets the funds,” she said, adding, “I’d like to see everyone involved.”
She questioned two grants, one to dodgeball and another to pickleball.
“These are for only a certain amount of individuals who benefit,” Reeve Regier said. “At what point do we say user pay?”
She believes the grants “are getting out of control.”
Property owners within the township are having difficulties paying taxes and yet council is giving money for someone to play pickleball, she stated.
Coun. Nicholson said this meeting was the opportunity for council members to agree or disagree with the decision.
Councillor Charlene Jackson said there is a policy evaluating how the organizations are decided for the grants. She said a full discussion on an amount of $500 “is not worthwhile at the (council) table). The less I decide on $500 or $1,000, the better.
“We are encouraging recreation for all ages and not just for certain types of recreation,” she said.
A committee of staff and recreation chair committee make the decision for council and then allow time for them to review and discuss.
She told Reeve Regier if she wanted to sit in on the meetings where the organizations were discussed – she could.
Reeve Regier responded, “I’m just voicing my opinion. I’m just saying all of council should look at the (organ-izations) requesting a grant.
“I will be voting in favour of the (grants) tonight, I just hope to have the opportunity at other times to review them first,” she said.
CAO Tremblay reviewed some of the policy, noting the group must be a not-for-profit organization. He further noted that some of the grant monies are for fees waived, which means they have accessibility to space used by a group.
Mayor Mike Moore questioned if the list couldn’t be provided to council two meetings in advance so they could be reviewed prior to seeing them at the council table.
CAO Tremblay said yes, that is possible. However, due to the way of where March 1 occurred, the grants are later getting to the organizations.
While there is a resolution regarding the grants to be passed at this meeting, he told council they could defer to the next meeting.
Coun. McLaughlin said he didn’t agree with money going to White Water Rocks while Coun. Mackay opposed Whitewater Whiskers.
Council agreed not to pass the grants, deciding to wait until the April 17 council meeting.
