Review-Mirror

Westport Lions members Bill Garland (L) and Heather Huth (R) present a cheque to Don Cooke from the Rideau Lakes Pickle Ball Club to help resurface their court. A request by residents for a referendum question on next fall's municipal ballot has prompted Rideau Lakes council to direct staff to explore the mechanics of adding the question. Township residents John Carley and Brian Preston would like voters to be asked if they would like to see a reduction in the size of council. An examination of ward structure in 2016 by outside consultants result- ed in a decision by council to reduce the number of councilors from nine to eight with the elimination of Newboro Ward. The preferred option of the consultant as well as from residents who responded to online public consultation was a seven- member model of four wards with one councilor each, two at-large coun- cilors and the mayor. More than 50 per cent of the more than 200 responses indicated sup- port for the six-member council with 25 per cent supporting the option cho- sen by council. Last July the decision was appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board by a group of residents, including Preston and Car- ley. It resulted in council's decision being upheld. The OMB decision noted there was no com- pelling evidence before the Board to suggest that the change would result in a disparity of voting power or ineffective repre- sentation. Issues of the composi- tion of council are at coun- cil's discretion under the Municipal Act. The change by council did not represent a change in the proportion of representa- tion outside of an accept- able range of variance in the size of wards, accord- ing to the OMB. Municipal elections take place this October. Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands council voted to offer the now empty Ward 1 coun- cil seat to Brian Mabee, the 2014 election candi- date who was next in line to win a seat. Councillor Harold Emmons died on November 29 after a months' long battle with cancer. Council has the option of holding a by-election or making an appoint- ment of a person who would be willing to sit for the remainder of term. If Mabee, who ran fourth in the 2014 race to elect three ward coun- cilors, takes the job, the ward's representation could be back to three by next month. Mabee wasn't in atten- dance and his name never came up in discussing the motion. "With 733 votes in support of that individual that's a pretty strong sig- nal of comfort," said Councillor Liz Huff who offered the alternative to an application and selec- tion process. "I'm moving that the vacant seat be offered to the candidate that stood next unless they do not consent and then the clerk would initiate an application process," she said. Councillor Jackson agreed that appointment would be a choice of Councillor Emmons. "My friend would roll over in his grave if we dared to hold a by-elec- tion," he said. The 2010 term of council followed a simi- lar process to replace two vacant seats on council after the resignation of Councillor Tom Lawler who was replaced by the next in line Gerri Dick- son and for the replace- ment of Mayor Bruce Bryan by former mayor Frank Kinsella. Municipal elections take place this October. Question on size of Rideau Lakes council may be on next year's ballot TLTI offers Emmons' seat to runner-up in 2014 election The membership of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 542 has agreed to contribute leadership and volunteers to make North Crosby's Canada Day cel- ebrations a reality for 2018. A meeting for volun- teers will be held next Wed., Jan. 17 at the Legion beginning at 7 p.m. "We'll involve anyone who wants to get involved," said Legion President Dave Wick- enden who brought the idea to the Legion execu- tive and the general mem- bership at their meetings in December. "The motion was to move forward for 2018 and review the decision at the end of the year. Even though everyone is excited there is still a little hesita- tion to commit to a longer period without the year end review," said Wick- enden. This year, long-time Canada Day organizer Cathy Davison indicated her desire step back and to pass the organization of the event to someone else. The Legion's taking of the torch for this year came after two informal meetings in October and November with Davison and other volunteers. Westport volunteers organize a parade and other activities in the vil- lage during the afternoon. Last year, for the first time, the main event was moved to the grounds of Rideau Vista Public School from the Westport Lions Beach, with larger crowds expected for Cana- da's 150th birthday. Members of the public are invited to meet Official Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer when he visits Brockville Sat., Jan. 20. The Conservative Party leader will hold an infor- mal "meet and greet" at the Brockville Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. "The event is free to the public," said Leeds- Grenville – Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes Conservative Association President Michael Barrett. "We just ask the people to pre-register so we can make appropriate arrange- ments." Pre-registration can be accomplished on Face- book at www.facebook. com/LGTIRLConserva- tives/ or by email at ScheerEvent@gmail.com The Member of Parlia- ment for the riding of Regina—Qu'Appelle in the House of Commons since 2004, Scheer was Speaker of the House of Commons from 2011- 2015 and was elected Leader of the Official Opposition in the spring of 2017. Joining him will be Leeds-Grenville-Thou- sand Islands and Rideau Lakes Member of Parlia- ment Gord Brown. "I am pleased that our Leader is coming to Brockville so people can meet with him," says Brown. "It is an opportuni- ty to get to know Scheer in an informal setting," he notes. "I encourage every- one to join us in welcom- ing him to the riding." Legion 542 takes the lead on 2018 Canada Day celebrations Federal Opposition leader Andrew Scheer to visit Brockville The Review-Mirror January 11, 2018 – 5 A & B FORD COLLISION CENTRE Telephone 613-267-5749 Fax: 613-264-1099 collision2@abford.com A&B Ford Sales Ltd. 37 Lanark Rd., Perth Quality Eyecare in Westport 10 Bedford Street Westport, Ontario Dr. P. H. Radford Optometrist Friday: Evenings Sat: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. For Appointment please call 613-273-3097 What is an Official Plan? An Official Plan is a policy document adopted by Council under the Planning Act. It guides the effects of physical change on the community. It impacts the built, social, economic and nat- ural environment of the municipality. All of the Township's pub- lic work must be in compliance with the Official Plan. An Offi- cial Plan includes mandatory policies reflecting Province-wide interests and has policies that are unique and individual to the Township and special areas within the Township. Upcoming Consultation Dates? Bring your family, young adults, your business associates, your neighbours, and anyone else you can! If you cannot attend, all presentations at the open houses and meetings will be live- streamed and stored on this website. January 17, 2018: Public Open House, Council Chambers, 1233 Prince Street, 5 – 7 p.m. Presentation at 6 p.m. (Top- ics: Rural Development, Growth Management & Rural Con- sents and Subdivisions, Housing, Waterfront Development, Natural Environment, Economic Development, Community Improvement Plans, Preliminary Vision Statements) February 20, 2018: Public Open House, Council Chambers, 1233 Prince Street, 5–7 p.m. Presentation at 6 p.m. (Draft Recommendations Report will be Presented) HOLD THE DATE: March 19, 2018: Special Meeting of Council (Recommendation Report), April 24, 2018: Statutory Public Open House (Draft Recommended Official Plan), Week of June 11, 2018: Statutory Public Meeting (Final Draft Official Plan), July 9, 2018: Meeting of Council (Final Official Plan)

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