Review-Mirror

By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror Township of Rideau Lakes councilors could be making more or less with a new compensation pack- age, created by an ad hoc committee of township residents. Committee chair Wendy Alford presented the committee's report at Monday's council meeting on behalf of fellow mem- bers Dave Brown, Anna Greenhorn, Brian Preston and Paul Smith. The committee was tasked to make a recom- mendation to council, and met five times to hammer out what is a new model which combines pay for work along with an hono- rarium. A flat $28,000 is rec- ommended for the mayor who would receive no extra compensation for committee work. Councillors would receive $12,000 and a flat fee per committee with compensation for those appointments ranging from $100 to $600 for spe- cific appointments. In 2016, councillors' received a $10,230 hono- rarium plus 'occurences' and other expenses. The scheme would see the end of 'occurrences' and councillors would not have to ask permission from their peers to be compensated for council business outside of com- mittee appointments. Councillors currently get $50 per meeting out- side of council meetings and can also claim atten- dance at other events for which they are represent- ing the township such as workshops and other spe- cial events. Permission for those special occurrences is decided by council. In 2014, total honorari- ums, occurences and expenses for individual councillors ranged from $13,500 to $20,000. "Voters put their trust in their representatives to be effective and efficient peo- ple. One of our goals was to kind of bring that back. It's highly patriarchal to ask for things as adults who were elected," said Alford. The committee's analy- sis among other elements included looking at other municipalities' compensa- tion, looking at variances in workload and consider- ing the loss of having one third of the honorarium tax free. Discussion of the report by council will come at a meeting in March when all members of council can be in attendance and after councilors can make some analysis of the commit- tee's findings. Councillors expressed their gratitude to the com- mittee for their efforts. "We've tried it before and it didn't go any- where," said Councillor Claire Gunnewiek who was ready to accept the elements of the report without discussion to become the new bylaw. Mayor Ron Holman is looking forward to dis- cussing the proposal, not- ing compensation for the mayor would jump to $28,000 compared with total claims of $21,500 last year. With compensation for United Counties work, pay for the mayor would be more than $1000 a week. "Are we happy with the concept? Are we happy with the elements and are we happy with the finan- cial consideration, "said the mayor who noted final reading of the new bylaw could be held over for the new council. Thursday, March 1, 2018 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 127, No. 8 $1incl. tax 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 43 Bedford St., Westport 613-273-8848 soho@rideau.net Mirror The Review Proposed council pay structure would see an end to 'occurrences' Phil and Sheila Palmer have been boiling in their sugar house this week which has had an early start. The sugar bush they use upland from Sand Lake has been enjoyed by four generations of Palmers, back to his great grandfather. Town & Country Richardson Division Semi-finals Westport vs. Perth See page 9 for more Fri., March 2, 8 p.m. Perth at Westport Sun., March 4, 7:30 p.m. Westport at Perth Wed., March 7, 8 p.m. Perth at Westport Fri., March 9, 7:30 p.m. Westport at Perth Sat., March 10, 7:30 p.m. Perth at Westport Wed., March 14, 7:30 p.m. Westport at Perth Fri., March 16, 8 p.m. Perth at Westport Township of Rideau Lakes council has delayed a decision to supply fire fighters with nalaxone kits which are currently avail- able without cost from the district health unit. The kits are available to be administered to people experiencing an opioid overdose as a nasal spray. A visit by Medical Offi- cer of Health Paula Stew- art at Monday's council meeting described the benefits of the new med- ication which is simple to administer. Firefighters would need to administer the kits if it was determined an ambu- lance or paramedic would not be able to arrive at the scene in an adequate amount of time. The township needs to provide approval for the use of the kits but is seek- ing legal advice to deter- mine the implications of taking on the additional risk. Stewart noted that there had been no reports of EMS workers or hospital staff getting ill by provid- ing nalaxone to victims, where there was the poten- tial to be exposed to Fen- tanyl, and normal precau- tions were followed. Numbers of overdoses needing emergency response have been low noted Stewart in part because many people who are at risk of an overdose have been provided with the free kits. "We aren't seeing the huge surges of Ottawa and Kingston," said Stewart of the 60 cases across the tri- counties last year. Of the 300 kits which were given out by the health unit last year 40 kits have been replaced. Around 60 overdoses "We are pleased we are able to provide support to those people," she said. Health unit makes nalaxone pitch Lease a new 2-door Wrangler Sport 4x4 for only $ 49 50 Call Kerry Ryan today at 613-464-1460 weekly, tax in Duncan ' s APPLIANCE SALES & SERVICE Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin BLACK STAINLESS Both pieces for $ 1999 95 18 cu. ft. Refrigerator •Custom-Flex Door™ •Spillsafe® Shelves •Full Width Drawer Reg. $1349.95 Model #FGTR1842TD $ 1099 95 Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds Cash & Carry - Delivery & Set Up Available 30" Self Clean Range •Quick Bake Convection •SpaceWise® Expandable Elements Reg. $1399.95 Model #CGEF3037TD $ 1099 95 Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 Full Contact Painting Eric G. Black Maberly-Westport 613-200-1127 meninwhitedesigns.com Westport Area Skating Club Ice Show Sunday, March 4 See page 3

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