March 2, 2011
Mayor says police
decision "inexplicable"
by Vance Gutzman
Deep River Mayor David
Thompson says he is "dismayed" that Laurentian Hills did not accept his
municipality's request to enter into discussions regarding the delivery
of police services.
Thompson made that request last month, stating at the time that the two
municipalities "need to find ways to work together and share services."
Thompson was granted permission from his council to initiate
discussions with Laurentian Hills on a number of options, ranging from
both municipalities using the Ontario Provincial Police to both using
Deep River's police service.
But, as reported in last week's NRT, Laurentian Hills turned Deep River
down, based on both costs and the advice of its police services board.
Laurentian Hills budgeted $346,000 for police services in 2010, while
Deep River's police service cost the municipality $1,3 million, after
all other sources of revenue, such as provincial funding, had been
removed.
"I am directed by the council of the town of Laurentian Hills to thank
you for your letter inviting both towns to discuss and explore a
variety of service delivery models for the provision of police
services," Laurentian Hills chief administrative officer Wayne Kirby
wrote to Thompson.
"I am also directed... to inform you that, with the recommendation of
the Laurentian Hills police services board, the council at this time
must decline your offer."
When Thompson first broached the idea of discussing police services
with Laurentian Hills, he was quoted as saying that, should the answer
be no, "then nothing ventured, nothing gained."
But in a statement last week, it appears Thompson was expecting a
different answer from his neighbouring municipality.
"I am dismayed to learn that Laurentian Hills does not want to enter
into these discussions," Thompson stated.
"If the OPP proposal was a superior option, I could fully support their
decision, but to not even want to explore another option is
inexplicable."
Thompson said that preliminary costing conducted by the Deep River
police services board showed that Laurentian Hills would have saved
$435,000 over the course of a five-year contract (or $302 per
household), with the same level of service that municipality is
currently receiving from the OPP.
"It is imperative that local leaders proactively look for occasions to
cooperate with neighbouring municipalities to find opportunities to
share resources and reduce costs," Thompson stated.
"The potential to share police services is one such opportunity."
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