Sutton On Police Contract Negotiations

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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.

Adler Withdraws, Supports DiCarlo

Posted on by

CKLW reports that “at the time he entered the race, there was no alternative to the ‘status quo’.  But he says that changed on the final day of nominations when Aldo DiCarlo entered the race.

Adler says he has researched DiCarlo’s campaign and believes there is now a more viable candidate for the mayor of Amherstburg.”

Question 17 For The Candidates – Infrastructure and Services For All of Amherstburg

Posted on by

Question 17, submitted via the feedback form, is: What will you do to ensure that citizens living outside of the historical core of Amherstburg receive the same quality municipal infrastructure and services? This means sidewalks, parks, multi-use trails, neighbourhood commercial and institutional uses.

All questions to date are on the Ask The Candidates page. If or when candidates respond, their answers will be posted on the Candidate Answers page.

Candidate Debates Held At Inaccessible Verdi Club

Posted on by

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

Berthiaume, The Board And The Bulls

Posted on by

As mentioned in a previous post, Amherstburg Police Chief Berthiaume’s presentation to the Amherstburg Citizens for Responsible Government (ACRG), incorporated the group’s questions about the police contract.

A section of Berthiaume’s presentation includes a slide titled Future Challenges, Contract Negotiations that is followed by:

Slide 18: Does this mean the board is gambling?

Screen Shot 2014-09-14 at 2.34.17 PM

Slide 20 is titled “1 Against 5,” presumably the Board against the 5 contracts.

Police Board Against 5 Bulls A huge bull is prominently displayed in slide 21, with no title, but one can speculate its meaning with the bull’s label: Police Arbitration System Ontario.

Screen Shot 2014-09-13 at 2.52.05 PM

It is unclear if Berthiaume’s presentation represents his position as chief, one of the bulls.

The Police Association of Ontario (PAO) acknowledged some organizations’ position that “Ontario’s arbitration system is broken and needs to be fixed” and how they are very quick to blame the arbitration system for local tax increases saying that “so many of our collective agreements are determined through interest arbitration.”

The PAO’s Interest Arbitration Facts, asks if the criticism is based on facts. The Backgrounder contains one little known fact: The Arbitration Commission is a neutral body that is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. It is balanced by members from both Associations and Police Services Boards.

According to the Ontario Police Arbitration Commission website, its “main function involves the appointment of conciliators and arbitrators to assist police associations and police services boards in the resolution of disputes arising out of the negotiations and administration of their collective agreements. The Arbitration Commission is a neutral body and does not become involved in the issues between the parties and does not influence the outcome of conciliation or arbitration.”

ONTARIO REGULATION 268/10 made under the POLICE SERVICES ACT limits political activity of police officers and since the Chief is not a party to contracts between the Board and the Association, the Board should have answered questions from ratepayers.

Current Council Candidates and Amherstburg Police Services Board members Frank Cleminson, Pauline Gemmell and John Sutton are campaigning, but have not answered questions about the contract: if it is currently being negotiated, if a consultant was hired and if there was a competitive process.

Commentary by Linda Saxon

Best of Luck From Joshua Rene

Posted on by
I would like to wish all the candidates for Amherstburg Council and School Board Trustees the best of luck! It takes a lot of courage to stand up for what you believe in and to fight for the betterment of your community. The residents of Amherstburg will certainly have a choice when it comes time to cast their ballots!
Best of luck to all,
Joshua Rene
Amherstburg Council Candidate