"It's about getting our best people talking with the region's best people": Zalepa
The next step forward for the Niagara Region as it deals with government reform, or amalgamation... a meeting of regional Chief Administrative Officer Ron Tripp, and the 12 local CAOs.
Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin told council 80% of his residents oppose amalgamation. "If certain steps hadn't been taken, amalgamation would've already taken place. But, because of the way certain things unfolded, amalgamation didn't take place... at this time."
Councillor Wayne Olson wants a deeper look at what could be saved under amalgamation. "This is not something that's going to just go away, and we can have the self pitying arguments that we don't get enough money. This is a position we only are responsible for, even though we didn't create it."
Mayor Junkin says they don't want to be dictated to from across the Lake, but also noted the province said amalgamation is off the books... for now.
Niagara on the Lake Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa says this process will carry into the next council. "We're not starting over, it's not about that, there's some really good ideas that are there. Our councils, for all our municipalities, are directing our best people to meet with the Region's best people."
Councillor Vance Badawey applauded each municipality for their work, but then he focused on the region. "I asked this council during budget deliberations to proceed with a services, and therefore, operations review. Nothing, crickets. So, as much as the municipalities are working within their own boundaries, we here at the region have to get moving."
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