Category Archives: Accountability

Phipps’ Stand On Request For Policies

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October 9, 2014 email from Phipps at 8.32 p.m.
Dear Ms Saxon. I have decided to intervene again on correspondence you have carried on with Paula Parker. Some time ago you requested electronic copies of the following various policies:
Hiring of employees
Procurement of goods and services
When and how notice is provided to the public
How the municipality tries to ensure accountability and transparency to the public
Delegation of powers and duties
You also asked if there was a competitive process for the Elections Coordinator position and a copy of the advertisement/notice.
You finally accuse staff of being insolent. So by notice Ms Saxon, you will no longer have to deal with any “insolent” staff because you will deal with me only.
In a recent email you stated to Ms Parker that “no one has responded” to your request regarding the procedural by-law.
You also recently wrote requesting considerable information regarding the process for hiring the new CAO.
Ms Saxon, I will not allow staff time to be wasted responding to all your requests for information. Although you are a citizen, you have no rights over and above any other citizen. Ironically, from time to time we have some other citizens who request considerable information and we’ve taken the same approach we now will with you. We will not spend staff time and everyone’s tax dollars chasing down everything you’ve requested.
Having said that, here are my comments regarding the above issues you raised:
1 We will not be providing you with hiring policies or the procurement of goods and services unless you can provide me with a reasonable explanation for the request.
2 I have no idea what you mean by “when and how notice is provided to the public”
3 With respect to accountability and transparency, I believe the Town has done as much as is reasonably possible to ensure both. There are no written policies.
4 I have no idea again what you want re delegation of powers and duties
5 The Elections Coordinator was not advertised because it is so specialized based on many years experience required. Therefore you will not receive a copy of any advertisement.
6 I will be providing you with nothing regarding the CAO hiring process.
Just a reminder, you will be required to communicate with me until the new CAO Mr Micelli takes office.
Note by Linda Saxon: Does this mean the town is not in compliance with Section 270 (1) of the Municipal Act? If the policies exist and can be emailed to me, is that a request for considerable information?

Adoption of policies

270.  (1)  A municipality shall adopt and maintain policies with respect to the following matters:

1. Its sale and other disposition of land.

2. Its hiring of employees.

3. Its procurement of goods and services.

4. The circumstances in which the municipality shall provide notice to the public and, if notice is to be provided, the form, manner and times notice shall be given.

5. The manner in which the municipality will try to ensure that it is accountable to the public for its actions, and the manner in which the municipality will try to ensure that its actions are transparent to the public.

6. The delegation of its powers and duties. 2006, c. 32, Sched. A, s. 113.

Police Contract Negotiations ARE Underway

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Two inquiries to Shawn McCurdy, President, Amherstburg Police Association have been unanswered, but a River Town Times article states, McCurdy said he couldn’t get into details with regards to details of the negotiations but indicated that if the “poison pill” clause were to come up, the association would be willing to discuss it.

The “poison pill” clause, which gives veteran officers a payout should Amherstburg switch to OPP policing, is something that McCurdy said the association is “more than willing to look at” if the board wishes to discuss it. He noted it was instituted in 1998 when Amherstburg police had better pay and pensions than that of OPP but he added “things have come full circle” where OPP makes more money now and pensions are comparable.

30 Days To Go!

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In 30 days voters will head to the polls and elect a new council for the next 4 years. Are you ready? Are you getting to know the candidates and their platforms? Are you comparing performance records with campaign promises if candidates are running for re-election? Notice any inconsistencies? Can you spot the rhetoric? Has anyone surprised you or impressed you?

Sutton On Police Contract Negotiations

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It has been two weeks since Candidates and current Police Services Board Members Cleminson, Gemmell, and Sutton were asked to confirm/deny that police contract negotiations are underway and whether a consultant was hired to negotiate the new contract on behalf of the board.

Board Chair John Sutton’s written response to my correspondence to the Board is:

“An initial meeting has been schedule for negotiations for the collective agreement; and No decision has been made to hire a consultant at this time.” note: typos are not mine.

Candidates/current APSB members Cleminson, Gemmell and Sutton have not answered any questions submitted by readers pertaining to this or any other topic.

Feedback Submission And Response

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The following was submitted via the feedback form on the ask the candidates page:

“One topic which hasn’t been addressed is a solution to the chronic flooding problems in town. One suggestion i would have is to have 5 or 6 topics and have the candidates prioritize them,1 through 6 or however many topics you feel are important.”

Response: Question 14 dealt with flooding issues; only Aldo DiCarlo, Scott Kendell and Glenn Swinton provided answers.

Thank you for the suggestion; however, “Ask The Candidates” was initiated, as stated on the question page, because in past municipal election campaigns when debates were organized the public had limited opportunities to ask questions. All topics submitted to date are important and if elected, candidates will be called on to address  a variety of concerns to ratepayers.

The table posted earlier today indicates that some candidates are eager to answer the questions; others have not answered one; and some have not researched the issues.

The candidates are promoting their platforms and prioritizing their messages through their chosen marketing methods; this blog will remain a venue for ratepayers.

Candidate Debates Held At Inaccessible Verdi Club

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As a person with a disability who has had to have my equal rights enforced twice in this community through the provincial complaints system, shame on the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce and the Verdi Club for holding a debate at the inaccessible Verdi Club when the Libro Centre has automated doors to its entrance, which is a necessity for me.

During this spring’s provincial election campaign, the AODA Alliance sought pledges that no candidate will agree to attend an All Candidates Debate in an inaccessible location. The Alliance reported, “There is simply no excuse for holding an inaccessible All Candidates Debate in Ontario’s 2014 election. The organizers should not have chosen such a location. The candidates should have made sure that the location was accessible before agreeing to take part in the event.”

I am seeking pledges from the local candidates and will post their responses to this blog.

Commentary by Linda Saxon