You get what you pay for
CTA calls for major changes to Council remuneration. And Council kicks the can down the road
Update 5/25/2018:
Council on May 22, 2018 rejected the Ad-hoc Renumeration Committee’s proposed increase. Although not fully accepting Paul Pagnuelo’s recommendation of increasing Councillor’s salaries by 100%, a motion was passed to at least increase the Councillor salaries by a quarter of what Paul recommended.
Council Fails New Amherst Residents
On April 30, 2018, Council voted five to two in favour of a rezoning that allows for a school in New Amherst. Councillors Forrest Rowden and Suzanne Seguin were the only Councillors who truly represented the public by voting against the rezoning.
Improving the Planning Process
In the Regular Council meeting on April 30, 2018, two delegations were presented to Council.
Cobourg Taxpayers Association (CTA) Director Paul Pagnuelo presented a request to establish a review that is independent, time-bound, and inclusive of the public, and to consider the establishment of a temporary Ad Hoc Committee to direct the review proposed by Councillor Burchat.
Public Engagement Policy Failure
Council, CAO, Municipal Clerk and staff are not following the Town of Cobourg’s Public Engagement Policy. They are not listening to the public. Lydia Smith, Cobourg Taxpayers Association president gave that message before council on April 30, 2018.
Although the delegation focused on the 2 years and 12 missed engagement opportunities with respect to the Council’s recent approval to put a water playground on Cobourg Beach, Lydia was quick to point out that the policy was not followed during the New Amherst School re-zoning either.