COBDEN — Councillor Daryl McLaughlin is alone in thinking the appointment of committee chairs for Whitewater Region council should be changed.
He was hoping that committee chair people would be moved around with the first year of council behind them. However, Mayor Hal Johnson, who is in charge of appointing council members to the various committees, didn’t agree and made no changes at the corporate services committee meeting held Wednesday, Jan.6.
Mayor Johnson said following the request by Coun. McLaughlin a while ago about changing the committee members, he spoke to each council member.
“I asked everybody and only one councillor wanted a change,” he said. “So, they stayed the same.”
Coun. McLaughlin has sat on the waste management committee for eight years.
“There has been no chance to try or become part of chairing a different committee,” he said. “I’m not gaining much knowledge.”
He believes neighbouring municipality Admaston-Bromley Township changes it committee chairs each year.
“It’s good to change because you become more knowledgeable of the township operations and how departments work when you become the chair,” Coun. McLaughlin said.
When questioned by Reeve Terry Millar if committees had changed during the previous council and why he has been sitting on waste management for eight years, Coun. McLaughlin said not all of the committees changed, but roads, public works and fire committees did.
Coun. McLaughlin recalled when he came onto council 13 years ago and was chair of no committee for the first term. He was then appointed chair of recreation and then waste management, where he has remained since.
“I know waste,” he said. “I don’t know much about fire or roads.”
Reeve Millar said with five of the seven council members being new, the first year was an opportunity “to get our feet wet.” He believes more time is needed for council members to become familiar with the committees they are currently chairing.
Councillor Charlene Jackson, who is chair of the corporate services committee, questioned why the motion was brought to the committee table, since there were to be no changes.
Mayor Johnson said it was his fault, since he had not informed the Chief Administrative Officer there were to be no changes.
Coun. Jackson received approval from the mover and seconder to withdraw the motion, stopping any further discussion.
