There were additional items of note from the two meetings held by the Council of Brudenell Lyndoch and Raglan (BLR) during the past week, in addition to The Current’s article published yesterday about the Integrity Commissioner’s report to Council.
BLR bids farewell to Clerk-Treasurer
Mayor Sheldon Keller ended the November 4 Council meeting by acknowledging long time employee Michelle Mantifel as she takes up a new role in North Algona Wilberforce on November 10. Above: Mantifel opens her parting gift from BLR Council (photo submitted) Before presenting Mantifel with a gift of a Canadian diamond pendant, Keller said, “Michelle this is your last meeting here with us at the Township of Brudenell Lyndoch and Raglan. It’s emotional but I just want as Mayor to thank you for your years of service to the residents of BLR. Even though I’ve only been on council for six years it’s amazed me at the level and the amount of work required of you as a Clerk-Treasurer to do your job. I would never have imagined it until I actually witnessed it.” He referenced the old saying, “Before you criticize someone, walk a day in their shoes and you may [find yourself] in a different perspective. It is my opinion that you always brought forth the information to members of council that they needed to make an informed decision. You are always patient, unbiased and respectful – no matter the decision. Our loss is definitely North Algona Wilberforce’s gain and I wish you well in your future endeavours.”
Mantifel thanked Council, saying she had not expected a presentation and was taken by surprise.
Interim Clerk-Treasurer appointed
At a Special meeting of BLR Council on November 10, Valerie Jahn was officially appointed interim Clerk-Treasurer pending a successful search for a new Clerk-Treasurer for the Township.
Rick Clements follow-up deputation cut short by Integrity Commissioner
BLR taxpayer Rick Clements appeared before Council to ask for progress on the matters he had raised at the October meeting. Click HERE to read The Current’s report. He began by saying many issues surrounding his first concern of tax billing were still unresolved. During the discussion with Council, the BLR Integrity Commissioner, Peggy Young-Lovelace, interjected saying it was inappropriate for councillors to discuss specific complaints in open session, pointing out that they should only deal with policy matters and not matters between specific taxpayers and staff. In answer to her question whether BLR had a complaints policy, she was told that complaints were referred to council.
When Clements asked for a follow-up from Council on his second point relating to the untendered purchase of gravel, Mayor Sheldon Keller told him, “So the second issue, because there’s been issues that arose from it that we cannot discuss … at this time…. So that’s my response. In light of time we do have another deputation that I’d like to get to. I appreciate your coming. I’m not being rude, Rick, but that’s the truth of it.” Clements responded, “I don’t accept that. I’m sorry, but this person [meaning Young-Lovelace] just spoke of S.270 of the Municipal Act and it’s … I’ll leave it at that.”
Council told cut to the chase on truck sale
During the report by Roads Superintendent Charlie Behm, Council discussed the sale of two vehicles with a lengthy exchange about the method of sale and what price to ask. Eventually an unidentified male listener interjected loudly, “It’s not what you think it’s worth. Just get rid of the son-of-a-bitch so you don’t spend any money on it, yez idiots.”
