MINDEMOYA—A representative for a group of citizens at a Central Manitoulin council meeting last week says that before council makes decisions on issues of a magnitude that affects local taxpayers, they should get their input first.
“I agree with a lot of the issues you have raised,” stated Mayor Richard Stephens after a presentation by Chris King. “You have made some very good points.”
Mr. King said, “Central Manitoulin council, before making decisions of magnitude, you should perhaps request input from residents who pay taxes. I have a few issues I and other residents would like to bring forward.”
“One is closure of the Old School no later than September 1, 2016, regardless of resident’s opinions,” said Mr. King. “This is pretty near a done deal; council continues to allow tenants to sign leases for rent without closure notification. One young businesswoman, Janelle Proulx, spent thousands of dollars for renovations, business cards and advertisement for her office space with no notification from council of closure. This is very upsetting to someone that has just got out of school and opened a business.”
Mr. King noted council did not advertise for rental space being available in the Old School building. “Meanwhile you are renting an office to Northeastern Mental Health for only $110 per month, the price of a hotel room per night. And the councillor who seconded the motion to close the old school has not been inside the building for years, and still hasn’t, even after the motion was passed. And you received a letter from Janelle Proulx asking council to visit the building and her office to see the renovations, yet not one councillor took her up on the invitation to attend.”
Mr. King pointed out council has never attempted to apply for funding of the Old School building as a heritage building. He said the municipality continues to operate other buildings in the municipality that lose money, such as arenas and the community hall. “What makes it so important that this building close now?”
“Council finalized a decision to tear the skate park down, which was not paid for or constructed by council,” said Mr. King. He said that youngsters in the community had fundraised for it with donations secured from local businesses. Five years after construction the maintenance supervisor had it hauled to the dump, and all that remains now is the cement pad.”
“I don’t see many youth programs in the community,” said Mr. King. He also raised a concern that council decided to build a new gazebo instead of repairing the existing one.
“We have a boat ramp on Monument Road that was built and cost taxpayers $130,000, was used for one year, and was damaged by ice due to incompetent engineering and was left unrepaired for use.”
“Council has not informed residents they plan on forcing residents to pay for the (Mindemoya) drainage project even though it was promised by council that would not go ahead with drainage work unless funding was granted to cover the cost,” said Mr. King. “We were told that they would go ahead if funding was provided, and then when it was it the project went way over budget and council goes back on its promise. Now residents are going to have to pay at least $1,000 to $2,000 each for this. Taxpayers were not in support of the drainage project, and the draining has not fixed the water issues—there is still flooding.”
Mr. King also noted that council denied improvement to the Mindemoya ball fields even though construction and funding was to be carried out by private organizations and residents. He also said council approved and completed a new kitchen and windows at the Mindemoya Hall, with a cost to taxpayers of $200,000 for a building used on a handful of times each year.
The bleachers at the Mindemoya ball field are unsafe for children, said Mr. King. He said when the contractor ran out of money and the municipality has not finished the project. “There is a two foot gap at the back of the bleachers with a 10 foot drop onto a cement pad. This is a major risk for injury to children in the community.” He added when a petition was put out in the community for work to be provided for safety, “council advised the community to watch their children better around the bleachers.”
“Two days ago I heard council is putting $50,000 towards building a new fire hall. We haven’t been told what’s wrong with the old fire hall,” said Mr. King.
“All of the aforementioned issues are an abuse of power given by voters who had confidence in your abilities to improve our township, not strip it down,” said Mr. King. “I love how council reports decisions have already been made regardless if it’s opposed or not; what about accountability and transparency? Residents have many opinions and concerns about our township. Open your ears and start listening because at this point in time you have not.”
Mayor Stephens requested that Mr. King provided a copy of the issues he has raised, and said he (Mr. King) would be notified of a Central Manitoulin property committee meeting, where the issues will be brought up and discussed.
