Signs of the Season

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The Icing on the Season

by Dan Davidson

There are signs of
seasons changing
that we all can
recognize:
falling leaves and
boarded windows,
filled with plywood cut
to size.

Hotels close and shops
cut hours
and the RV parks shut
down,
and the last canoeing
Germans
take their tours around
the town.

But the icing on the
season’s
when the snow comes
down to stay;
puddles frozen in the
morning
that remain that way all
day.

And when slush forms in
the river
we know what that’s all
about,
‘cause we know that
winter’s coming
when they pull the
ferry out.

Oct. 31/2009

Dawson’s New Council Sworn in

First Meeting of the New Council: From left to right, Jackie Olson (acting CAO), Wayne Potoroka, Stephen Johnson, Peter Jenkins (mayor), Rick Riemer, Ashley Doiron.

Story & Photo by Dan Davidson

Dawson’s new municipal council was sworn in at a special session held on October 20 at 6:30 p.m. There was just a small group of family members and supporters in attendance to watch as notary public Rhonda Taylor administered the oaths to returning councillors Ashley Doiron and Rick Riemer and then to new councillors Stephen Johnson, Wayne Potoroka and mayor-elect Peter Jenkins.

Each member of council swears first to “be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her heirs and successors according to law.” This is followed by a six point affirmation

“1. That I am a Canadian citizen;

“2. That I am not in any way disqualified from holding the office of (Mayor or Councillor)

“3. That I have not, nor will I have while holding office, any interest, directly or indirectly, in any contract or services connected with the said municipality, except such as I may lawfully have under the provisions of the Municipal Act;

“4. That I have not, by myself or any other person, knowingly employed any bribery, corruption or intimidation to gain my election;

“5. That I will not, without due authority in that behalf, disclose or make known any matter that comes to my knowledge by reason of my office; and

“6. That I will faithfully perform the duties of my office, and will not allow any private interest to influence my conduct in public matters.”

Following on the swearing-in ceremony the council held its regularly scheduled 3rd week of the month meeting. The timing of future meetings was one of the subjects of the evening’s d i s c u s s i o n s . Tuesday night provides some difficulty for Councillor Potoroka and discussion ranged around what other time might be suitable. Due to the Procedures Bylaw which was imposed on Dawson’s council during the trusteeship, this is not as simple a matter as it might seem, and will actually require a bylaw change. This creates a need to state to the public the intent to change the bylaw, the drafting of an amendment and three readings before it can come into force.

In its original version, the process would also have required the approval of the Minister of Community Services, but that requirement was dropped part way through the terms of the Steins administration.

Council postponed a decision to take action to assess a waste oil contamination problem at the Quigley Landfill, citing a need to see the government order and to decide whether it might not be more suitable to move straight to remediation. That decision will be taken at a noon hour meeting this Wednesday, no doubt the first of many additional meetings to come for this new group.

In addition to changes in elected officials, there are other changes at the town office. Eldo Enns has resigned as city manager and the city staff are seeking to unionize, under the umbrella of the Public Service Alliance of Canada which has applied for a certificate to do so.

Download full online edition: (pdf – 4.36 MB)

In this Issue (24 pages):

1 – Signs of the Season
2 – New Council Sworn In
3 – Vaccination Program Starts
4 – Uffish: Climate Change and the Art of Storytelling
5 – Halloween at RSS
6 – Rose Gassner gets Ready for Bazaar Mania
7 – Volleyball Tournament Pix
8-9 – Authors on Eighth: Breakup by Carrie Stewart
10 – Authors on 8th / Humane Society News
11 – TV Guide Pages have been removed so page numbers won’t match from here on.
17 – Century Blues Tour / Yael Wand Home Concert
18 – Library celebrates 110 Years
19 – Northern Garments Inc. 2009 Exporter of the Year /SOVA comes out of the closet / Town Calendar of Events
20 – The Meaning of Fair Trade / Our Feathered Neighbours
21 – Bookends / Comics / Han Language Lesson
22 – Max’s Artists’ Page / Top 10
23 – Classifieds, Business Directory / Outreach Job Board