SNC to tackle complaints from South Stormont

Led by Councillor Tammy Hart, a member of the militant Ontario Landowners Association, South Stormont council has unanimously requested a provincial audit of the authority’s mandate, responsibilities and pricing system.

SNC general manager Dennis O’Grady has stated publicly that he has no problem with an audit, wondering if the province would be willing to pay for it.

During the meeting, directors will consider a letter from board chairman Ken Hill, mayor of Russell Township, to South Sormont mayor Bryan McGillis defending the authority and seeking greater cooperation from the municipality. “No one understands more than me how the last couple of years have strained the relationship between SNC and South Stormont… a relationship that I feel is an important part of South Nation’s mandate,” Hill states in the letter.

It’ll be a busy morning for SNC. Following the regular meeting at Finch headquarters will come the 2010 annual meeting with board elections, a workplan presentation, guest speaker Ottawa Riverkeeper executive director Meredith Brown, and recognition of a conservation partner, in this case Moose Creek environmentalist André Laflèche.

Hart has said repeatedly that her municipality – which doesn’t hold a seat on the board – is fed up with SNC and no longer wants to answer to it. South Stormont is represented on the board by other directors and McGillis, as warden of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, has direct input into appointments.

O’Grady has pointed out that none of the other 14 municipalities which are levied for SNC financial support have any current concerns with the agency’s operation. Over his 22 years with the authority, other members have sometimes raised issues which have been resolved.

Commenting on South Stormont complaints and others coming from other municipalities, Don Pearson, general manager of Conservation Ontario which oversees the activities of the province’s network of 36 authorities, said part of the fuss may arise from the fact this is an election year and candidates are looking for issues.

In his letter to McGillis, Hill takes exception to South Stormont leaving the impression that SNC is “out of control”. Requesting a one-on-one meeting with mayor, Hill suggests that it falls upon elected officials to “rise above the emotion of the moment and to demonstrate order and decorum.” “I would appreciate that in the future, comments be directed to the issues at hand and not at the board who display professionalism and true commitment to all of the municipalities that they serve.”