Stringer Motion

by Neil Zacharjewicz

NORTHEASTERN MANITOULIN and the ISLANDS - Jim Stringer, Ward Four councillor for the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, is reviewing his decision with regard to a proposal to build a Quality Inn at Low Island.

A Notice of Motion has been presented by Councillor Stringer to council for the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands (NEMI) for its special council meeting of Wednesday, May 12. On Monday of this week, a copy of the Councillor Stringer's motion was leaked to the Manitoulin Expositor. The motion suggested that while council had previously defeated the two amendments, the issue had been appealed by the Streetwise Development Corporation to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and a hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 29 at the NEMI Recreation Centre, that council instruct its staff to inform the OMB it has reconsidered its position on the matter and no longer has an objection to the applications from the developer. The issue is being raised as an In Camera discussion on the grounds that the hotel proposal is currently before an administrative tribunal, one of several provisions under the Municipal Act for In Camera discussions.

At the January 7 meeting of council, Councillor Stringer had been one of five members of council to vote against approving an Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-Law Amendment to allow for the development of a Quality Inn to be built at Low Island. The narrow 5-4 decision was eventually decided when Mayor Joe Chapman cast his vote against the proposal. At that meeting Councillor Stringer had suggested that the proposal represented bad planning, locating commercial property between recreational and residential space, and indicated there were other potential sites for a hotel.

In the interim since council made its decision, Councillor Stringer indicated he has had some discussion with the developer who has asked him to reconsider his decision, and he has taken into consideration what the developer has told him. He explained that he has now received information on the issue that he did not have at the time he made his decision with regard to the proposal.

"I am reviewing that decision at this point," Councillor Stringer said. "It was a difficult decision then, and it is a difficult decision to review (now)."

"We will see what happens at the meeting," he added.

Mayor Chapman indicated that he really questions the timing for Councillor Stringer's Notice of Motion, given that the issue is scheduled to go before the OMB.

"I am disappointed that Councillor Stringer continually brings matters up for review that have been extensively debated by council," he said. "The issue here is not whether the town wants a hotel but the location of the proposed hotel. It has always been my position that any new hotel should not be built in a residential area, but rather in an area that has already been zoned as a commercial planning area, such as along Highway 6."

Many people in town will be disappointed that, after a public meeting and much debate on the issue, that a councillor would change his opinion on the matter with the OMB hearing approaching, Mayor Chapman said. He said while he is not certain where Councillor Stringer has received his additional information on the issue, he indicated that none of the information has been brought to his attention.

by Margo Little

SUDBURY---A routine trip to Sudbury May 7 turned into a harrowing brush with mortality for a Manitoulin Island couple.

Petra and Bill Wall, who live on Lake Huron near Providence Bay, narrowly escaped the collapse of the Big Nickel Road Bridge as it plunged on to the roadway last Friday.

"We were just heading into Sudbury to do errands around 10:30 a.m.," Mr. Wall explained. "We were the last car (traveling east) to go under the bridge before it collapsed. We stopped for a light at Kelly Lake Road and then down she came."

(Dave Kozachanko, of Sudbury, was the last person under the bridge westbound, and in fact, saw it buckling before he sped to safety.)

In his rear view mirror Mr. Wall saw a piece of construction equipment falling. "I heard a thump," he said. "And then there was a bid thud. You could hear the steel grinding on concrete. It all happened very quickly."

As huge clouds of dust rose from the Lorne Street disaster, the Walls pulled into a strip mall on the north side of Kelly Lake Rd. They saw construction workers running to see what had happened.

"One of the workers told us that the jacking system had failed to hold up the centre part of the bridge," Mr. Wall added.

The experience was very unsettling for his wife as well. "At first I thought Bill was joking," she said. "Then I realized the bridge had collapsed right on the spot where I would have been sitting."

 "All during the day I felt uneasy about the close call. It was a very eerie feeling. We came so close to not being here any more; seconds earlier and we could have been crushed. Later I said my thank yous that somebody up there was looking out for us. I feel pretty lucky to be here for another Mother's Day," she said.

After the initial shock, Mr. Wall was philosophical about the incident. "It was just one of those things; we didn't get hit. But I question how could such a thing happen to endanger public safety like that. A lot of money has gone into that project over the past three or four years. Somebody must have miscalculated badly."

No one was injured in the bridge collapse, however, repairs are expected to take several weeks or even months. The ministry of labour is investigating the scene to determine the cause of the accident. The city of Greater Sudbury had hired Northland Engineering in 2001 to refurbish the 25 year old structure.

Meanwhile, a detour ramp has been established for Big Nickel Mine Road for motorists traveling east on Lorne Street. Motorists traveling onto Lorne Street from Municipal Road 55 will need to use Godfrey Drive (a private Inco road) through Copper Cliff.

by Neil Zacharjewicz

NORTHEASTERN MANITOULIN and the ISLANDS - Fire chief Rick Milne has resigned, and deputy chief Chris Bousquet has decided to follow him out the door.

Mr. Milne's resignation came as a result of town council's refusal to reconsider its recent decision to cut the fire chief's remuneration to $6,000 per year. While Mr. Milne indicated that he had figured council would not reconsider its decision, he confessed, "In my heart, I am disappointed."

"This has been going on now for some time," Mr. Milne said. "Their prime issue seems to be money and nothing else."

He added that he had hoped council's recent meeting with a representative from the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office would have "woke them up." He explained that in 1997, when Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands (NEMI) was formed through amalgamation, the fire stations at Little Current and Sheguiandah came together under one fire chief. At that time, the Fire Marshal's Office also handed over additional duties to the municipalities, which included the implementation of the Fire Prevention and Protection Act. In addition to regular fire meetings and training, the duties of the fire chief were expanded to include serving as a manager, inspector and fire prevention officer.

"At least three days a week are required to maintain the training standards and perform the additional tasks as laid out by the Fire Marshal's office," Mr. Milne explained. "It is important to maintain this high standard because the public would expect nothing less."

During the summer of 2003, Mr. Milne explained, he agreed upon compensation for his work with the prior council that was based upon an hourly rate of the Public Works Department.

"It is understandable that our new mayor and council want to achieve financial stability. However, to expect the position of the fire chief and the work involved to be done on a volunteer basis is both unreasonable and unrealistic," Mr. Milne said. "The NEMI Fire Department consists of many dedicated men and women who are skilled and respond to various types of emergencies for this community. The community of NEMI has become accustomed to this high standard of emergency response and should expect nothing less."

Meanwhile, members of the town fire department have expressed their disappointment with regard to Mr. Milne's resignation.

"We are saddened by the unfortunate circumstances that led to our fire chief resigning," stated Captain Darin Smith, president of the NEMI Firefighters Association. "Whoever takes over the position is going to have some pretty big shoes to fill."

But it is not only the chief's position the town must now fill. Mr. Bousquet, one of two deputy chiefs with the department, has also chose to resign, citing council's decision with regards to Mr. Milne's salary as one of the main factors for his resignation.

Mr. Bousquet explained that, in his 13 years with the NEMI Fire Department, he has seen many changes and much progress in terms of training, professionalism and safety. He said the town has a very dedicated group of well-trained, professional firefighters largely due to Mr. Milne's commitment and dedication.

"Mayor and council have made such statements as 'do we really need a fire chief' and 'do we want professionals or just volunteers.' All I have to say is that, in this business, there is no such thing as 'just a volunteer,'" Mr. Bousquet said. "Peoples lives are at stake. Firefighters, whether called volunteer or full-time, are all professionals and trained to do the job at hand. There is not a separate training manual for full-time and volunteers. We are required to have all the training, backed by documentation, to indicate we are capable and trained to do the job when called upon, and I think that is expected from anyone who has ever had to make the call."

Mr. Bousquet said what amazes him is that the NEMI Fire Department has been able to do the job without any injury to anyone despite the fact they are using 25 to 30 year old equipment. He said while the department was fortunate to have received the blessing of the prior council to purchase a new fire truck, he questioned what the current council planned to do about the three other trucks, which he suggested will have to be mothballed in the next three to five years.

"A $20,000 per year fire department reserve certainly won't cut it. The town is responsible for maintaining the level of protection that has been established. I hope they have a plan in place for the sake of everyone's safety," Mr. Bousquet said. 

Mr. Milne submitted his resignation during the course of the May 5 meeting of NEMI council, at which time Councillor Jim Stringer put forward a motion asking council to reconsider its decision to reduce the fire chief's honorarium from $15,000 per year to $6,000 per year and eliminate the fire chief's monthly travel allowance, suggesting that the decision would have the effect of reducing the level of fire protection provided to the municipality due to a reduction in the level of inspections, education and training.

During the meeting with the Fire Marshal's Office representative, Councillor Stringer said, council was informed that the fire marshal would be concerned if the municipality chose to reduce the level of service below what it was already providing. Councillor Stringer said it was clear that once council chose to reduce the fire chief's salary, there would be a resulting decrease in the level of service provided.

"I agree with Councillor Stringer completely on this," stated Councillor Bill Koehler.

However, Councillor Tony Ferro expressed concern that council had already voted on the issue, and the majority of council had decided in favour of reducing the fire chief's honorarium. He added that he disagreed that there would be any reduction in service, pointing out that in the town's fire protection by-law, it was the responsibility of the fire captains and the deputy chiefs to take care of fire inspections.

"I think (the fire chief) is doing a fantastic job. He is going above and beyond the call of duty," Councillor Ferro said. "(However), he is an administrator. He is doing jobs his subordinates should be doing."

Council had tried to negotiate with the fire chief, he noted, going so far as to offer him an honorarium of $10,000, which he chose not to accept.

"I have to stand by my vote at that time," Councillor Ferro said.

Councillor Gary Green applauded Councillor Stringer for bringing the motion back before council.

"I feel we were too hasty in coming up with this resolution to drop his wages," stated Councillor Green. "I feel the fire chief deserves $15,000 per year."

Town council has spent several hours on the issue, Councillor Sam Nardi said, and yet it keeps coming back to the council table.

"Is this going to be a trend? I hope not," he said. Councillor Nardi said that while he agreed the town had first class fire protection, the chief was doing work he should not be doing.

With the council's budget already having been eaten up by the costs for policing, he questioned where council was to find another $9,000 to pay the additional costs of the fire chief's honorarium should council overturn its decision.

"It's quite clear this is a dollars and cents issue," Councillor Stringer stated. He pointed out council would not have to come up with $9,000, as it had originally budgeted $10,000 for the fire chief's honorarium.

Councillor Koehler expressed concern that the town would pump $40,000 into the Manitoulin East Airport, yet would balk at paying an additional $5,000 to $6,000 for "one of the most essential services."

"(Our fire department) is one of the best anyplace," he said.

Council would have to come up with more than $9,000, Mayor Chapman noted, as the fire chief's original honorarium included an allowance for mileage.

"In relative terms, we are quibbling over nickels and dimes," Councillor Stringer said.

However, Councillor Nardi expressed concern that the Community Services department, overseen by the Community Services Committee, chaired by Councillor Stringer, was the only department to experience an increase in the 2004 budget, while all of the other departments "did their part" to reduce expenditures.

"I have a bit of a problem with the spending policies of Mr. Stringer," he stated.

Mayor Chapman suggested it was beneficial for everyone to understand that it was an issue of money. Some councillors, he said, were protective of taxpayers while others thought fire protections was more important.

Councillor Stringer expressed some concern with the mayor's comment, suggesting the obvious implication was that he was financially irresponsible. Councillor Green said he was also offended by the mayor's comment.

However, Mayor Chapman said that was not what he was suggesting at all. He indicated he was not suggesting that those councillors who favoured fire protection were not cautious, but that while some councillors felt taxes were a priority, others felt fire protection was a priority.

"It is a question of priorities," he stated. "Get your facts straight."

"I do not need to be talked to in that tone of voice," Councillor Green declared.

"I stand by what I said," Mayor Chapman said.

A recorded vote was called on the issue, and Councillors Marcel Gauthier, Green, Koehler and Stringer voted in favour of returning the fire chief's honorarium to previous levels. Councillors Tom Batman, Ferro, Nardi, Jib Turner and Mayor Chapman voted against the motion.

According to Clerk-Treasurer Ned Martin, council will appoint an acting fire chief at a special meeting of council to be held today (Wednesday, May 12).

by Neil Zacharjewicz

LITTLE CURRENT - Since 1997, organizers of the Manitoulin Trade Fair have set their sights at drawing over 10,000 people to the event, but it took seven years for them to reach their goal.

"We shattered it," exclaimed a beaming Frank Reynolds, coordinator of the Manitoulin Trade Fair, after receiving the news that the event had drawn over 12,000 people. "I am higher than a kite. This is just phenomenal. I'm ecstatic."

Mr. Reynolds explained that, in 2002, the trade fair drew 9,700 people, which means that this year's edition of the event saw an increase of over 2,300 people. He said the trade fair organizers have now set a very high bar to reach for 2006.

The increase in attendance for the event, he suggested, has a lot to do with the additional $2,500 the trade fair received from FedNor for the promotional effort, which stretched to the Bruce Peninsula and northern Michigan. At the end of the weekend, the Manitoulin Trade Fair had drawn visitors from areas it had never done previously, including Cochrane, Toronto, Hawkesbury, Mackinaw City, Orillia, Ottawa, Grand Bend, Wiarton, Burlington, St. Ignace and Kapuskasing.

"This was the best trade fair ever," Mr. Reynolds said. "I know we say that each time, but this really was."

Not only was the attendance up, but Mr. Reynolds pointed out that this year's event drew an additional 32 exhibitors, offering even more of a variety than the 2002 event.

"I love this trade fair," suggested Kevin 'Jake' Mackan, owner and operator of Jake's Home Centre. "This is the best business event on Manitoulin."

The organizers of the event deserved a great deal of credit, he suggested, adding that the many business owners who take the time, effort and money to participate are also deserving of kudos. He said the Manitoulin Trade Fair is of huge value to the Island business community.

"Basically, everything I brought to the fair I sold," Mr. Mackan explained. "It has been really successful for us."

The Manitoulin Trade Fair proved to be extremely beneficial for Maurice Labelle, of Labelle Financial. He said that he operates a home business, so there are many people who do not get to see what he has to offer. Mr. Labelle said that being at the trade fair is one of the main ways for him to get to see people and demonstrate to them the service he has.

"I got to talk to a lot of people," he said.

"It's a beautiful thing," suggested Phil Blake, owner and operator of both the Old English Pantry and Three Cows and a Cone. "It allows us to wave the company flag."

Mr. Blake indicated the event provides business owners to demonstrate to people that high quality products and popular brand names can be found on Manitoulin. It also provides businesses with an opportunity to show off any new products they have.

"For Three Cows and a Cone, it has allowed us to show people that we sell more than ice cream," Mr. Blake said.

Brent Peltier and Leslie Manitowabi manned the Rainbow Ridge Golf Course booth throughout the weekend, and had seen a lot of traffic. Mr. Peltier indicated the event has provided them with an opportunity to do a lot of promotion.

Ms. Manitowabi pointed out that they had been handing out coupons for rebates on golf, and once those coupons have been redeemed, the golf course should have an idea of how well they fared in marketing their business during the trade fair.