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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2007 THE NEW TANNER 13 TOWNSHIP OF GUELPH/ERAMOSA INDIAN TRAIL BRIDGE (STRUCTURE #13) CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NOTICE OF COMPLETION The above project is being planned under Schedule B in accordance the requirement of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment document dated (June 2000). Subject to comments received as a result of this Notice, and the receipt of other necessary approvals, the Township of Guelph /Eramosa intends to proceed with the design and construction of this project. The existing single lane, single span earth-filled concrete arch bridge was constructed in 1913 and has been identified as being deficient with respect to physical condition, structure and roadway geometry, and approach and barrier protection. After a review of the options to repair, replace or abandon the structure, and subject to comments received at a public meeting, the Township of Guelph/ Eramosa has concluded that the recommendation solution to remedy the identified deficiencies is to replace the structure. The work is scheduled for completion by late 2007. Further information on the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process is available at the following locations: Township of Guelph/Eramosa Mr. Ken Gagnon 8348 Wellington Road 124 P.O. Box 3000 Rockwood, Ontario N0B 2K0 Phone: (519) 856-9596 Fax: (519) 856-2240 Interested persons may provide written comment to the Township on the proposal within 30 calendar days from the date of this Notice. Comments should be directed to Mr. Ken Gagnon, Manager of Public Works. If concerns regarding this project cannot be resolved in discussion with the municipality, a person/party may request that the Minister of Environment make an order for the project to comply with Part II of the Environmental Assessment Act (referred to as a Part II Order), which addresses individual environmental assessments. Requests must be received by the Minister at the address below within 30 calendar days of this notice. A copy of the request must also be sent to the Township of Guelph/Eramosa. If there are no requests received by March 24, 2007, the Indian Trail Bridge (Structure #13) will proceed to design and construction as presented in the planning documentation. Minister of Environment 135 St. Clair Avenue 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M4V 1P5 This Notice issued February 22, 2007. Mr. Ken Gagnon. Manager of Public Works R.J. Burnside & Associates Mr. Stephen Riley. P. Eng. 3 Ronell Crescent Collingwood, Ontario L9Y 4J6 Phone: (705) 446-0515 Fax: (705) 446-2399 Email: sriley@rjburnside.com 2007 Softball Registration The Rockwood Rebels are looking for you! REMBA will be holding softball registration for the 2007 Summer Season in the Meeting Room at the Rockwood Library as follows: Thursday, February 15, 2007 From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 20, 2007 From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, February 24, 2007 From 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday, March 3, 2007 From 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Visit the REMBA website at http://www.remba.ca for more detailed information or call Rosa Kliese, REMBA Registrar at 519-856-9805 (before 9pm) Registration Deadline is March 31, 2007 Rockwood Eramosa Minor Ball Association ROCKWOODThe Miller SLED DOG? Ryker, a Golden Retriever, was having a great time tobogganing with his family, Brenda and eight-year-old Sarah Taylor, at Eden Mills on the weekend. Hope- fully, winter fun will continue for a while. Rebecca Ring Photo By Rebecca Ring At Mondays meeting of Guelph/Eramosa Council, Chris White stepped out of the mayors seat and Coun- cillor Doug Breen stepped in to ensure objectivity when past councillor Teressa Gibson Smye presented as a delegation to question trans- parency and accountability of government. She prefaced her concerns by saying she was not expecting answers, but rather bringing the issues to councils attention. Gibson Smyes first con- cern was regarding Whites recent salary raise as a county councillor. He was one of ten councilors who voted in favour of raising the war- dens salary from $42,214 to $72,323 and councillors salaries from $17,661 to $26,585. Adding benefits to the package is being dis- cussed. Gibson Smye reminded him that his election cam- paign included promises of demonstrated, proactive leadership and controlling rising property taxes. She asked how going with the flow on the vote demon- strated proactive leadership, and called his action a huge disappointment. She also questioned council members silence on the issue. Regarding expense ac- counts, Gibson Smye claimed White submitted expenses to the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), of which he is president, in ex- cess of $3,000 in 2006. These expenses are not disclosed to the public. Gibson Smye requested copies but was denied by ROMA, but was advised that ROMA cov- ers expenses. She obtained copies of Whites township accounts and found billing for ROMA expenses. She re- quested that council change the expense-reporting format to include ROMA or any other memberships where reimbursement is involved, and that annual expense re- ports be submitted in more detail to the press. Non profit body White explained that ROMA is a non-profit, stand- alone, political body that represents rural Ontario and is funded by memberships. It is not tax payer funded, he said. He said there is no direct relationship between his township business and ROMA business. However, if he attends a ROMA con- ference on the townships behalf, then the township pays. He added that he gave Gibson Smye copies of his ROMA expenses. Gibson Smye questioned Whites expense claims for attending Rockwood Era- mosa Business Associations meetings at $75 each and accused him of sometimes staying only 15 to 20 min- utes. She asked for scrutiny on this unauthorized ex- pense. White said he was ap- pointed by the Economic Development Committee, on which he sits, to go to REBA meetings on behalf of council. He explained that the $75 is compensation for council members for taking on more responsibilities. He added, It is not just the time at the meeting that is put in but also preparation. This is all legitimate. Finally, Gibson Smye asked why White and CAO Janice Sheppard are renegotiating the terms of the agreement with Woodlawn Memorial Park to manage Rockwood Cemetery. She said, The in- dividual continuously raised the ire of residents over the management of the cem- etery, and asked, Will all staff providing unsatisfac- tory performance be able to renegotiate their position? Gibson Smye also asked if negotiations will be part of Sheppard and Whites salaries or will there be extra payment, why a person from the cemetery group was not invited, and why were other alternatives not tabled. White said there is cur- rently no renegotiation with Woodlawn, which volun- tarily withdrew the contract because they felt their reputa- tion was being damaged by the volunteers complaints. He said the township is sim- ply asking Woodlawn if they are interested in talking. He added the township is in the process of looking at all options. Any concrete pro- posals will be presented in open council. By Rebecca Ring Brad Roelofson, Manager of Property and Leisure Services for Guelph/Eramosa for the last four years, was dismissed without cause on January 29. CAO Janice Shep- pard simply says, He does not work for the township anymore. She refused to elaborate adding, It is a personnel matter. Roelofson says, I was dismissed without cause. I was quite surprised. I had no idea this was coming and I still dont know why. Im at a total loss. He could not provide further detail due to legal negotiations. The staff at the township are an excellent group of people. I really enjoyed working with them. Theyre a good crew, a great bunch, he says. His next step? To just move on, he says. Township fires B. Roelofson Former councillor Gibson Smye challenges mayor on transparency Teressa Gibson Smye