Modest sparks fly
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Modest sparks flew Monday during open council over Mayor John Lessif’s recommended appointments to the Tillsonburg Hydro Board Incorporated board.
Agenda item six detailed a series of recommended appointments, as per town policy to change council appointees every two years.
For the past two years, Deputy Mayor Mark Renaud and Councillor Mel Getty served on the Tillsonburg Hydro Board, Councillor Brian Stephenson on the Police Services Board, Deputy Mayor Renaud on the Chamber of Commerce and BIA, and Councillors Marty Klein and Chris Rosehart on the Otter Valley Corridor Committee.
Report CL 13-06 presented Monday, proposed two-year terms for Councillors Klein and Getty for the hydro board, Deputy Mayor Renaud for the Police Services Board, Councillor Stephenson to the Chamber of Commerce/BIA and Deputy Mayor Renaud and Councillor Dave Beres for the Otter Valley Corridor Committee.
Councillor Beres expressed his disagreement with the proposed retention of Councillor Getty on the hydro board.
“I don’t agree with that, it should be stirred up.”
Councillor Beres stated he had hoped to be selected, was disappointed he had not been, and asked for an explanation based on the fact all positions save this one had been changed?
Mayor Lessif responded that due to ongoing discussions on the future of the entity, he felt it was important to have continuity around the table.
Deputy Mayor Mark Renaud has been a long-serving member, Lessif continued, “And served it well.”
Councillor Klein would be a new member to the board continued Lessif, expressing regret it appeared he had offended Councillor Beres.
“If I’ve done that, I apologize for that, it’s nothing to do with you personally.”
Lessif’s recommendations, were he continued, based on what he thought was best for the organizations at this time.
Deputy Mayor Renaud entered the discussion, noting how he has enjoyed his time on the hydro board, a period dating back to October 2000. As the lone remaining original member of the board, Renaud stated he put a lot of ‘heart and soul,’ into the position, contributing to a turnaround from a difficult period, to an organization which has received kudos from the highest provincial levels. He expressed his desire to continue with the hydro board, given the challenges and decisions the entity faces.
“I think you need somebody around the table who has gained that knowledge through the years.”
Councillor Klein joined the discussion, ‘selling himself a bit as well.’ He noted previous experience including that as a PUC commissioner, along with the opinion he would be ‘a quick study’ with regards to the challenges of the hydro board, and his intention to support the motion as is.
Mayor Lessif indicated making recommendations is not an easy task, given there are ‘only so many seats.
“And we have a lot of qualified people to sit in those seats.”
Recommendations are made, Lessif added, based on the best interests of organizations.
His original recommendations passed by a majority vote including Councillors Rosehart, Klein and Getty.