In response to a request by the Regional Recreation Steering Committee, Meaford Council has appointed Mayor Francis Richardson as an official Meaford Representative to that committee at the February 8 meeting of council.
The decision to do so has been a topic of much debate with some members of council concerned that agreeing to have representation on the committee will imply a willingness to contribute financially to the multi-million dollar recreation centre and arena construction project underway in Owen Sound.
A delegation came before council on January 18 in an attempt to persuade councillors to support participation in the steering committee. They stressed that there were no financial strings attached to such participation, and expressed that they felt given the number of Meaford residents who use the current facility, and will no doubt make use of the new one that Meaford should have a voice in the process.
The subject has sparked much debate amongst councillors in recent weeks with Harley Greenfield and Gerald Shortt having been the most vocal in their opposition to Meaford participating in any way due to the fact that the municipality is not in a position to contribute funds to the project.
At Monday's meeting as a resolution was being brought forward to appoint a member of council, the debate continued with both Greenfield and Shortt standing their ground in opposition.
“If we are not at the table, then we don't have a voice,” countered Councillor Cynthia Lemon, “Given the number of people in our municipality who will use this facility, I think it would be wrong to not be involved and have input.”
Voting on that involvement was divided into two separate resolutions, the first being a resolution to make an appointment at all, which narrowly passed 4-3 in a recorded vote with Shortt, Greenfield, and Councillor Jim McPherson voting against.
Once that resolution had passed council voted on the appointment of Mayor Richardson as the Meaford representative to the committee, but not before some more debate.
“I regret that this council cannot come together once a decision has been made,” offered a clearly frustrated Lemon.
Councillor Greenfield though, decided that even though he did not support the decision to have representation on the committee, he agreed that council had decided to move forward, and he therefore would support the appointment of Richardson.
“Since council has voted in favour (of appointing a representative), I will support the appointment of the Mayor,” said Greenfield.
The appointment of Mayor Richardson was passed by council and he will now attend the steering committee meetings on behalf of the Municipality of Meaford.
