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8 THE NEW TANNER The cost of Council The price tag for Guelph/ Eramosa Township Councillors last year was $87,464 ­ that's how much was paid to the seven councillors who held office in 2010, Total $39,173 $11,778 $13,757 $7,711 $12,448 $1330 $1260 246 30 284 246 THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2011 Council Member Mayor Chris White Doug Breen John Scott Roger Knapp Reta Moyer David Wolk Corey Woods Remuneration Meetings 14,361 9,573 9,573 7,711 8,911 662 662 17,325 1,725 3,150 1,275 225 - Training & Conference Per Diem 1,980 110 440 1,430 220 220 Mileage 5,507 124 564 548 223 132 Conference Accommodation & Parking ** NOTE: 33 percent of councillors' remuneration is tax free as an expense allowance. More needed to improve safety on Highway 7 Anything short of full traffic signals will not improve safety at the intersection of Highway 7 and Jones Baseline Road according to local politicians and residents who are not satisfied with Ministry of Transportation plans to install overhead flashing lights at the intersection. The Ministry also will review the need for full traffic signals at the intersection that has a long history of fatal and serious injury accidents, including two in the past three weeks. "The flashing lights will be better than zip, but not much," said Guelph/Eramosa Township Mayor Chris White on Monday, suggesting Council send a letter saying they are pleased that the Ministry is taking the step, but want full signals at the intersection where visibility is impaired by a curve and hill. Councillor Corey Woods, upset that the Ministry knew in 2007 that the intersection warranted lights, said "it pisses me off that it takes a bunch of people getting killed for them to actually say `oh, maybe we should have looked at this in '07.'" As background, Mayor White said in past discussions with the Ministry, they were told it would take $20 to 30-million to rejig the highway at the intersection. Councillor Doug Breen said no highway improvements would be needed if traffic signals were installed, and he would also like right turns on red lights banned. Since 1999, when his father was injured in an accident at the corner, neighbour Paul Tatham has been lobbying for safety improvements. He questions why the Ministry would spend money for flashing lights and then spend more money on full signals. "I'm worried the province is going to say `we're done' and let's move on. If they're going to put traffic lights in, why waste the money putting in these flashing lights?" Tatham said on Monday, adding the lights will help motorists to see the road at night. On Tuesday, Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott said the flashing lights were an "interim step." "We're still not there yet...we need to continue to push for permanent traffic signals... but this measure will hopefully improve safety at the intersection," Arnott said. Arnott raised the issue last Tuesday at Queen's Park ­ giving pictures of a March 2 accident to the Minister ­ who told him last Wednesday that the flashing lights would be installed as soon as possible. A flashing red of an overhead light will back up the existing stop signs for north and southbound traffic on Baseline Road, and a flashing orange light will alert Highway 7 motorists to the intersection. which included a municipal election and two new faces for the last two months of the term. Thirty-three per cent of council's income is a tax-free expense allowance. A mandatory report to Council showed Mayor Chris White earned the most last year with a total tab of $39,173 which included salary and benefits ($14,361), meetings ($17,325), a training and conference per diem ($1,998), and mileage ($5,507.) The mayor and councillors are paid $75 for each meeting they attend that is not a regular council meeting. Attendance counts Both Mayor Chris White and Councillor Doug Breen get gold stars for perfect attendance at 23 scheduled and five special council meetings last year. Councillor Roger Knapp missed more than half of the regular meetings and four of five special meetings ­ disappearing between early July and October, when he did not seek reelection. Councillor John Scott missed one regular and two special meetings last year, and former Councillor Rita Moyer missed one regular and one special meeting. From January 2006 to December 2010, the Ministry said that 14 collisions were reported at the intersection, giving it a low collision rate of 0.8 ­ the number of collisions per million vehicle kilometres of travel. Ministry official Emma Dhahak said the intersection is identified as one which would benefit from traffic signals, and the Ministry is monitoring those intersections and the highest priority will proceed first. Township of Guelph/Eramosa Sealed quotes, submitted on an official quote form in an envelope clearly marked as to contents, will be received by the Township of Guelph/Eramosa until 1:00 pm local time. Friday April 8, 2011 For the following: Quote PW 2011 ­ 01, Supply of Street Sweeping Equipment Quote PW 2011 ­ 02, Supply and Application of 35% Liquid Calcium Chloride Quote PW 2011 ­ 03, Supply and Application of Maintenance Gravel Lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. For further information and quote documents, please contact: Township of Guelph/Eramosa Public Works Department 8348 Wellington Road 124 Box 700, Rockwood, ON N0B 2K0 Phone (519) 856-9596 Ext. 120 Fax (519) 856-2240 Roots rock Hamilton Rockwood's Hometown Roots is honing its sound in preparation for the quarter-finals of a Hamilton radio station talent contest on April 15. A win means $25,000 in prizes, including studio time, radio airplay and $5,000 cash. The band, a group of Rockwood friends, are gaining fans with their energetic stage show and memorable original tunes which have been a hit with judges at past contests. We need volunteers for canvassing in April. For info call: 519-853-1424 Century Church Theatre Trafalgar Rd, Hillsburgh · www.centurychurchtheatre.com Century Theatre Guild presents The Farndale avenue housing EstatE townswomEn's Guild dramaTic socieTy murder mysTery The Farndale ladies strike again in this zany comedy by DAVID McGILLIVRAY & WALTER ZERLIN Jr. Directed by Dale Jones March 25 - April 3 Fridays & Saturdays 8:p.m. Sundays 2:30p.m. Local Real Estate Tickets: $18 inclusive Group discounts for 10+ Benefactor Erin Arts Foundation ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Knowledge and Services Centennial & Riddell Rd, Orangeville Box Office 519.855.4586 Jacqueline Guagliardi Season Sponsors Erin Optimist Club