"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Friday 20 March 2015

A LOOSE END

My eyes needed to rest before I went out. I decided to use the time to make an enquiry. An old news report presented a fact that needed to be clarified. 

Former Mayor Grossi of Georgina and member of South Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority was charged by the authority for removing fill from shoreline on his property and depositing it on Conservation land. 

The Authority decided to suspend his membership on the board and his remuneration.  

The Mayor took care of the problem by pleading guilty to the offense, paid a fine and  I think ....took back the fill.

I wondered why he was being paid by the Conservation Authority and since Representatives are appointed to the board by the Region, how could he be suspended by SLSCA.

When the Region was created, it was decided Councillors would be paid a salary. Whatever they did as regional reps would be deemed to be part of the whole responsibility.  Additional remuneration would not be paid by any board or commission to a  Regional representative.

So, while resting my eyes, I called SLSCA and learned Regional Council members are paid a per diem for meetings attended and mileage and car allowance. 

The Chairperson receives  an honorarium of $10,000 a year 
paid on a quarterly basis .

It left the question of when had the policy changed. The Region is aware of the payments. The Authority is required  to file a statement each year. 

York Region shares the budget of SLSCA. 

By the time I got to speak to a person., it was late in the day and a search was required. It was suggested appointment to SLSCA was by the  local municipality. 

In the past eleven  years, three terms, I do not recall a 
resolution of appointment to the SLSCA from Aurora Council. 
This year was no different.

I have read the Mayor was elected Chairman this term. I believe he was a member of the board in the last term. The term before that Councillor MacEachern served on the board but , I understood , recommended by the Mayor and appointed by the Region. 

I know a little more than I did when I started the enquiry. 

I will know more next week.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

My information could be incorrect but I believe the mayor was [ at least last term ] on that board. There was one instance where he either missed a meeting or was late for an event here because they were having a special session

Anonymous said...

What are you trying to get at?

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Evelyn

Anonymous said...


Does writing all this stuff make you feel better?

How about some visions for what we might expect in the future, let's say during the next four years?

Most people are sick and tired of what is past, and probably have some dreams and aspirations for the days and years ahead.

Please invite them to share with us.

Anonymous said...

20:38
Players of the past that are present today= more of the same in the four years.

Anonymous said...

20:38.
Maybe we could pick up some of the loose ends ? That tennis bubble could still be erected at no cost to the town. That might placate the tennis players now leaving Timberlane soon. And the pet burial ground is already owned by the town. The gardening buffs could set that right to attract visitors. And, please, get on with something on the old library lands that also provide parking for those folks. They have waited for ever.
Have a nice rainy day - beats a snow blizzard or ice storm.

Anonymous said...

This post is related to present. 20:38 who are the most people may I asked? Maybe those who spend tax payers money are the one sick of hearing the truth. May I suggest you speak for yourself.