Item 5. Presentation of Senior of the Year Award: Our very own Rozanne Mosier was honoured by the Township for her 'dogged' interaction with Council over the years. The Mayor recognized Rozanne's contribution by saying that Rozanne always had Howe Island's interest at heart and that he missed Rozanne's 'finger-pointing' at him. Rozanne graciously accepted the award, left the meeting only to return with home-made Christmas cake for all. Congratulations Rozanne and thank you for the many contributions you've made for the betterment of all on Howe Island.
Item 7. County Council Composition: Council voted in favour of the increase from 4 to 8; however, Council moved and agreed that the second County representative would come from the island not having the Mayor. Currently, the term of the Deputy Mayor is 2 years (Pat served first and now Matt) but should this by-law pass, the term for Deputy Mayor would increase to 4 years. HIRA'S concerns have been posted with the increase to 8..yet with this arrangement, Howe would have representation at the County level and therefore, a direct advocate in reviewing County ferry issues. Increase costs are an issue particularly the amount Township has to pay into Fairmount Home in Glenburnie...in 2008, 13.03% of the County's budget was allocated to Fairmount and in 2009, 25%. Mayor Vanden Hoek is on record(see December 3 article in Frontenac News) as wanting cuts to Fairmount's budget. In comparision with like facilities, Fairmount is running at 14% more than Lanark and 10% more than John Parrot.
Item 14. Communications: the Algonquin Lakeshore School Board, owner of the school at 364 North Shore Road, has written to the Township asking that the Township advise their interests by May 31, 2010. To date, a small group of Howe Islanders has been looking into saving the school. There is support from both Matt and Pat to determine whether it can be saved from a structural point of view, whether it can be moved to Township Property near the municipal buildings or kept where it is. Discussions to date have been preliminary and it is now time to determine next steps. Stay tuned or if you have any comments, please contact terrybotten@hotmail.com.
Item 14. Communications: Skootamatta District Ratepayers Association re: septic system inspections: SDRA had been advised that KFL&A would stop their Septic System Inspection Programme. In a determined and businesslike manner, SDRA, wrote to KFL&A with their concerns and copied Townships and other interested parties, HIRA included. At the meeting the Mayor felt this initiative was unfair to the municipalities within KFL&A's jurisdiction, particularly ours as we are in a most sensitive area. Council moved and agreed to send a letter to KFL&A and copy all Townships within their jurisdiction stating that the Township of Frontenac Islands Opposes this initiative and asks that the decision be postponed until a review on the implications to the various municipalities is conducted.
If you have any comments, please contact terrybotten@hotmail.com
