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s!a<.»€ *'.«î» t, t. ü î, 'i'4 i 'i i i 4 -•- Z, Z.^<i/.4V.tUC>%.'4 ur*î* *a 'i îk m ft i i A A A J» THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, FEBRUARY 20,2002 PAGE 3 Regional chairman should be elected at large, says councillor BY JACQUIE McINNES Staff Writer DURHAM - The regional chairman chairman should be elected by the people people at large instead of by regional council, suggests one councillor who would like the Province to make the necessary changes before the November 2003 election. But Regional Chairman Roger Anderson believes the move could cause a conflict between the council council and its chairman and could also force all but the richest candidates out of the race for the job. "I've always believed, even before before I was elected, the position of regional chairman should be elected elected and I've never changed my mind," says Oshawa Councillor John Gray, who ran for the position against Chairman Anderson in 2000 but was defeated. Coun. Gray says he hopes to get the idea in front of area municipal councils for debate "or even better to get some public consultation. "The Region's budget is over $600 million and the chairman is actually a very powerful person. He can move motions at committee, lie has influence over staff and he can mould and shape the Region to his liking. Someone in that position should be elected by all people in the region." Chairman Anderson points out he currently only votes to break ties and when he moves motions at committee, "the committee can say yes or no to them." When Chairman Anderson was voted into the position by council, people from the community at large could come before council to be appointed chairman. That has since been amended and only persons first elected to council can be appointed chairman by a majority of their peers on council. Neither Coun. Gray nor Chairman Chairman Anderson prefer the current method because it forces a by-election by-election or appointment to replace the regional councillor who steps up to become chairman. "Maybe the person who wants to give up his or her seat on regional council won't be the appropriate person," notes Chairman Anderson. "Personally I liked it when they (regional council) could pick'somebody pick'somebody from outside," he says. "What if some (rookie councillor) councillor) who has never been on council before with no experience becomes chairman; that poses a problem," he says, relating it is important for a potential chairman to "know who the players are" in provincial government government and to have a deep understanding understanding of the issues to be effective. effective. But, Chairman Anderson says, to elect the chairman at large has potential for even greater problems. problems. Mi: i IN TODAY'S statesman^ your livers delivered by Durham's #1 Carrier Force Call 579-4407 Wednesday, February 20,2002 • KFC* • Staples/Business Depot* • Work World* • Reitmans* • Home Depot* • Future Shop* • Sears* • Danier Leather •SAAN* ! Flyer not neeessaril) in all papers Remember, all inscris, including those on glossy paper, can he recycled ssi111 llie rest ol your newspaper through your blue box Recycling program. JOHN GRAY Wants to 'get some public consultation.' "If you have an elected chairman his or her message is going to be different than that of council. Today the chairman chairman isn't there to have influence influence over council. He is there to take forward the ideas of council. If he or she was elected, elected, he or she would be there to ensure his or her ideas get done. Right now you have a spokesman for the Region." The other problem the chairman sees is the cost and feasibility of running an election election across such a vast geographical geographical area. Me points out there are five MPs covering the area. Look at their campaign campaign expenses and multiply by five, he suggests. He also believes a candidate candidate from a large urban area would have a distinct advantage advantage over a rural candidate and would bring that urban perspective perspective with them. Coun. Gray discards this theory, suggesting voters arc much more interested in the issues and opinions of a candidate candidate than in their home address. address. "If the issues arc presented properly, they have an equal chance to anybody else," he says. Coun. Gray must get the support of the majority of regional regional councillors in order to request the Province amend the Region of Durham Act to allow the chairman to be elected elected at large. If he is successful, the change could be in effect for the next municipal election in November 2003. Hydro De-regulation Isn't Good for Anyone! In the Beginning: The obligations of Public Utilities were: • to provide safe, reliable, affordable power • to serve all customers in the area • to charge fair rates for power Today: We are forced to have competition in the power industry. Why?! To make profit-driven corporations rich! With privatization, we now see a new billing method, with a monthly service charge, a delivery charge, an electricity and transmission charge; a cost of power surcharge. Under privatization, consumers no longer elect those who are managing the system. And more charges are still to come! And In the End: Our retirees and those on fixed incomes will have difficulty with the extra charges on hydro bills and future rate increases. With NAFTA regulations we no longer have a say in power sales to other areas. Be wary of door-to-door salespeople. Take time to consider all options. Hydro is ours! We own it. We paid for it. CAW Local 222 Retirees and the Local 222 membership fully support the efforts to stop the unfair contracting out of PUC network jobs to private business. The citizens of Oshawa have enjoyed some of the lowest power rates in Ontario, and these workers deserve better treatment from their employer. In your own best interests, please support your Hydro workers. Make City Council accountable. Phone and write your concerns. Wake up! Ontario! Mike Shields, President John Redko, President Retired Workers Chapter CAWWTCA LOCAL 222 Terry Spence, Financial Secretary Art Field, Financial Secretary Retired Workers Chapter ?.?.Hoî I'lltlM V Ml (till Uvllxitl III » " u.sli t |)l;u lut \ a uni Remember, we are the factory. riv.ist \ isil out v rlisilr .il w v u.slvt |il.n Inn « mu WE ARE NOW JEEP! Oodge Miiivfl unfit Jeep o o o o o FIVE OTAR Offering Full Line of Sales, Leasing, Parts and Service. MmâfnWsmtffi WWW» ÊSMil