At last week’s Committee of the Whole, Council voted to schedule an increase in their salaries on Jan 1, 2020 subject to budget deliberations this fall. The vote was 6-1 in favour but at the full Council meeting when the motion would normally be routinely confirmed, Councillors opened the motion for debate. Suzanne Séguin changed the motion in the Agenda to include a review of Police Board compensation and also other groups such as Holdco and GRCA boards.  Brian Darling then asked that a full review should also be done for Councillors.  Treasurer Ian Davey advised that Council had no control over the compensation of “other” boards so the amendment was then rejected.  Susanne said that in any event, increases… Read complete articleSurprise Council Reversal re Salary increase

Currently, each summer, Green Canoe Outfitters (GCO) rent out Kayaks and Paddleboards from the beach in front of the Breakers Motel but Bart Spiewak of GCO asked Council at Monday’s Committee of the Whole for permission to move west and position themselves on Victoria Park Beach.  They would want a kiosk not unlike the new lifeguard stations so that they could house their equipment.  They would cover all costs and offered a 10% revenue share.  Given the contentious rejection of the Water Park just 2 months ago, approval seemed unlikely.  But Councillor Chorley suggested a trial this year followed by a full, open procurement process in 2020 and said that the situation is different.  She moved a long detailed motion… Read complete articleTwo Contentious Waterfront Decisions

When Council salaries were increased last year with effect at the start of this Council’s term, it was agreed that there would be a review “if and when the tax free allowance was removed”.  As expected, this did happen on January first.  Perhaps using this as a cue, the Cobourg Taxpayers Association in the person of Paul Pagnuelo, made a presentation to Council  last night suggesting that Councillors should be paid fairly so as to encourage talented individuals to run other than those independently wealthy and/or retired.  Paul pointed to the salary paid to Port Hope’s Mayor and said that Cobourg’s should be paid the same.  Paul also suggested that the Deputy Mayor should get 90% of this and Councillors… Read complete articleCouncil Proposes Salary Increase to Match Port Hope