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Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

I read Matthew Lau’s article “The Disastrous Rollout of the Liberals’  $10-a-Day Childcare” with frustration. This was a rant, not a balanced viewpoint nor an investigation about  what is hampering the rollout for parents who so desperately need  this assistance. A quick review of Mr. Lau’s online presences reveals  his partisan purpose.

Thankfully Linda Belcourt addressed one component of the “disaster” in her March 12 Editorial: political leaders determined that the  Elmvale and Wasaga Beach area did not need the funding, hence the  cause for higher fees. That is a important story that needs to be  told in detail to the community so that citizens can think critically and ask questions of politicians as to why they prevented affordable daycare in Elmvale.

Matthew Lau did not address that Early Childhood Educators’ low wages reflects the undervaluing of their work and is a deterrent to   becoming an ECE. Some daycare centres simply cannot find adequate staff.

He did not address the fact that the Ontario government is also to blame, In 2022 when Ontario was the last province to sign on, the provincial government agreed to create 86,000 spaces. However, the province has not increased the agreed revenue replacement transfers since 2022 at a time when costs are increasing. In addition, there is a lack of clarity as to how the province is allocating the money as they simultaneously call upon the federal government to give even more money. (CBC Jan. 16/24).

Biased articles such as Mathew Lau’s that only lay the blame at one party’s feet fan the flames of anger and discontent. This scapegoating is another threat to Canadian society.

Simply put, communities are being held back by political partisanship and I call upon all politicians to work across party lines to improve the lives of Ontario families. And I call upon all citizens to ask  their leaders tough questions. And don’t believe everything you read.

Sincerely,

Janet Griffiths-Maxymiw,  Wasaga Beach

 

My pet peeve, our water supply!  The world is rationing water and eying available supplies, where ever they ca find it Why are we allowing our precious water to be used to wash stones, clog up well systems and when it’s gone it’s gone!!  You were right in your editorial, we know who to vote for!

Caroline Kachkowski, Tiny

 

An Open Letter to Council regarding March 20, 2024 Council Meeting:

I attended the Mar. 21/24 Council and was dismayed by the reaction some members of Council had to the presentation by the Library Board Chair and Vice-Chair.  This presentation was a direct result of the criticism one member of Council expressed about the management of the Library (Board and CEO).  Those comments were made at the Feb. 21/24 Council Meeting.

The fact that these unwarranted comments were made in public session is unconscionable.  As a past member of the Library Board, I am appalled at this Council’s refusal to acknowledge provincial legislation, to listen to explanations of the process under which the Library operates, to disregard their own procedures (about holding discussions of personnel matters in closed session) and the utter distain for volunteers (Councillor Fisher asked how the Library Board could consider themselves volunteers since they receive an honorarium)

All appointees to Springwater Council committees receive an honorarium, as do our local appointees to other service providers (such as the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority), including our ‘volunteer’ firefighters.  Library Board members cannot claim mileage to meetings, nor incur any other expenses without the prior approval of the Board – the Library Board’s $40 per meeting honorarium falls well below minimum wage just for time spent at a monthly meeting, let alone anytime spent on other Board business.  The amount of the honorarium has not been changed since 1990, to the best of my knowledge.

The comment Councillor Fisher then made about the CEO’s credit card expenditure at the Royal York Hotel was another cheap shot.  When the Library received credit card privileges from the Township, it was so that members were not out-of-pocket for expenses incurred while on Library business.  The bill in question was for accommodations and parking for attending the recent Ontario Library Association annual conference.  The bill would have been significantly larger had reservations been made at the hotel attached to the conference venue. I notice in the same cheque and credit card register that there were many similar expenses for Township staff attending other conferences, yet no disparaging comments were made about those costs.

The Board’s agendas and minutes are available on the Library website.  The reporting in the minutes echoes Council’s standard.  As such, there is no verbatim recording of individual conversation, nor withholding of pertinent information. In the case of requested revisions by the board, there would be a recording of amendments to motions. There are no ‘shadow meetings’ as Councillor Fisher suggested.

The only direct question asked after the presentation was for Township staff to review the Public Libraries Act with regard to contracting out of library services.

My questions for Council are:

Will there be an apology to the Library Board and CEO for the slanderous comments made by Councillor Fisher on Mar. 20/24?

Will there be any discipline for the comments he also made at the Feb. 21/24 meeting?

Will Council review their protocol for moving into Closed Session?  It is my understanding that Council meets in Closed Session to review real estate issues, to be updated on contract negotiations, or where comments are made about identifiable personnel.  Who at Council – the Mayor, the CAO or the Clerk, has the authority to ‘kill the microphone’ when such comments are made in public session?

Will Council review their protocol for interacting with their Service Agencies?  With a new Police Services Board coming into effect, it seems an opportune time to re-examine what authority Council may or may not have with those Service Agencies in budget deliberations and personnel matters.

Donna Kenwell B.A., M.L.S., Elmvale

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