Whitewater Region council agreed to continue maintaining three crossing areas for school children in Cobden.
Crossing guards are to obtain a current police clearance certificate and have it on file at the township office.
The original motion from the corporate services committee was for three crossing guards, however, Councillor Daryl McLaughlin advised there are more than three crossing guards.
Treasurer Marsha Hawthorne said she only has three crossing guards on the payroll. However, she said if a crossing guard is unable to work their shift, they may ask someone to take it for them and they pay them.
Chief Administrative Officer Christine FitzSimons said she was aware of only three. However, she noted, the crossing guards were on duty before she came onto the scene.
Councillor Charlene Jackson noted since the municipality is responsible for the crossing guards, staff should know who is on as a crossing guard.
“They are not to replace themselves,” she said. “They should notify the municipality if they can’t make (their shift). They cannot just change when they want.”
To be a crossing guard, they need police clearance, even if they are only the spares, Coun. Jackson stated.
CAO FitzSimons agreed, stating this was the first time she had heard there were more than three crossing guards.
Coun. Jackson said the crossing guards should be made aware they are not the ones who make the decision as to who is on duty.
Coun. McLaughlin was concerned with how much the police clearance checks could cost the municipality, considering no one really knows how many there are.
Mayor Hal Johnson said having a relief crossing guard is appropriate since people do get sick.
Council agreed to change the wording from three crossing guards to three crossing areas.
