Stormy night in Ameliasburgh

The candidates listen to a question from the floor (R-L) Mayoral candidates Robert Quaiff, Jeff Goddard and Paul Boyd. Council candiates Rachael Tracey, Roy Pennell, Dianne O’Brien, Nick Nowitski and Janice Maynard. Tim Fellows is out of frame.

Angry ratepayers, candidates lash out at CAO

Despite the rain, Ameliasburgh town hall was packed as residents of Ameliasburgh ward came to hear their candidates’ thoughts on municipal issues and to ask burning questions.

All six councillor candidates vying for the three seats in Ameliasburgh ward—the largest of the County’s wards both in population and area—were present. They comprise incumbent councillors, Nick Nowitski, Dianne O’Brien and Janice Maynard, as well as newcomers Rachael Tracey, Tim Fellows and Roy Pennell. All three mayoral candidates were present—Robert Quaiff, Paul Boyd and Jeff Goddard.

The meeting was organized and run by the Consecon Area Ratepayers Association (CARA). It followed a question-and-answer format, beginning with a small introduction from each candidate and four questions from CARA, followed by questions from the audience.

Recurring concerns from both CARA and attendees of the meeting included financial accountability, size of council and addressing green energy.

Bill Bonter, Ameliasburgh’s last reeve before amalgamation, moderated the evening. One of the questions he asked candidates was about the County’s senior staff.

“We are alarmed at the erosion of power at Shire Hall, which is being transferred from council to staff. Since we elect you to determine how our tax dollars are spent, this is not acceptable,” said Bonter. “What are you going to do to regain control?”

Maynard agreed that staff and council roles were not as defined as they should be, and that overcontrol by senior staff should end.

Nowitski suggested that part of the issue is that council is a victim of a well-negotiated contract, and that there was the threat of a lawsuit when they tried to end it. He did not specify which senior staff contract he was referring to.

Quaiff, however, did bring up difficulty with the County’s CAO’s contract. He also said that, before the formation of the Committee of the Whole, several councillors were on each smaller committee, which allowed them a much closer connection with staff. Quaiff suggested moving back to this system as a means to regain control.

To Boyd, that a staff member had threatened to sue council for ending a contract signified an issue in itself, and suggested council needs to review the amount it spent on staff.

One audience member then asked incumbent candidates why the County’s CAO is paid significantly more than Belleville’s, despite the County having a smaller population with fewer issues.

Maynard said she voted against the CAO, frowning upon the measures of control as a condition of his contract.

“We also had a chance, not so long ago, where his contract was up for renewal,” said Maynard, “and there was only two of us on council and that was myself and Alec Lunn that had the, well, that voted against that renewal.”

Quaiff corrected Maynard: He did not vote initially for the current CAO. Nowitski pointed out that the current CAO was not the first choice of council. Boyd said he had the numbers.

“He might think he’s worth $225,000 a year, but the position isn’t worth $225,000,” said Boyd.

When a question was asked about size of council, it was in concern that by reducing Ameliasburgh’s three councillors, the northwest end of the County would become poorly represented.

Goddard noted that even with three councillors from Ameliasburgh, County Road 3 is still a rough drive— more representation doesn’t seem to be working in ward residents’ favour.

Maynard observed that relative to the total of 72 councillors in Hastings County, Prince Edward County’s 15 doesn’t seem like much. She didn’t mention the fact that Hastings County consists of 14 municipalities.

Answers were split. Quaiff and Goddard felt reducing council was something that should be addressed immediately.

Pennell, Maynard, O’Brien and Boyd felt changing the size of council is either unnecessary or would only reduce advocacy for the public.

Several residents were angry about the council’s contribution of $20,000 to support Prince Edward County Field Naturalists in their fight against Ontario’s Green Energy Act that is allowing companies to build wind turbines on delicate land unimpeded. The response from incumbents was somewhat defensive.

“How can you take sides in an issue like that with our taxpayer money? A controversial issue where not everyone feels the same way,” one audience member said. “Would you fund the other side?”

“The other side doesn’t need any funding,” Nowitski quipped. “They’ve got more money than God. They’re funded by the province. Which is still you. You’re still funding the other side.”

Quaiff’s response was a little calmer.

“Yes, I did vote in favour of the $20,000,” said Quaiff. “The long-term impact of turbines on growth, settlement, property values, health, the infringement on our natural habitat and the big, long study that the previous council did with respect to how much impact it would have on the local economy here, all had bearing on trying to help the David and Goliath situation.”

Most candidates said they would support solar farms, although Quaiff did point out builders should be responsible for road damage, and that the loss of prime agricultural land is a concern.

Other topics such as fixing roads and support for County arts and culture were also discussed.

The meeting lasted two hours, with many residents staying behind to continue asking the candidates questions, trying to gain a better understanding of who to vote for in the October 27 municipal election.