A crew of dozens of blue T-shirt clad firefighters from the South Porcupine Fire Department left disappointed on Monday evening after a vote was deferred.
The vote was for a bylaw which would see the City of Timmins enter into a development agreement with Northern College for an integrated emergency services facility on the South Porcupine campus. It includes a one-time $2-million capital contribution by the city.
The partnership would also see the Whitney Volunteer Fire Department on Dixon Street relocate to the campus. It would provide students the opportunity to train alongside an active station, and with modern equipment.
Councillor Pat Bamford felt that a vote was inappropriate.
"This is a major item. There's a long standing tradition, since I've been on council, that when there's an item so serious as this, with major budget implications, and implications for another member of the community, Northern College in this case, that we do our level best to make sure that all Councillors are present on major budget deliberations. I'd like to move that we postpone this particular item until all of council is present," said Bamford.
Councillor Andrew Marks was not in attendance for the meeting.
Councillor Rick Dubeau then piped in with a 'point of order'. Initially confused, he asked where this item was being referred to. Bamford, along with Mayor Steve Black, and City Clerk Steph Palmateer said it was a deferral, not a referral. Dubeau then wanted to know the reason why the item was being deferred.
"I gave the reason earlier," replied Bamford, reiterating his 'longstanding tradition' stance.
"I know we have postponed votes on budget items in the past in order to have full council present, so that everyone can have a say, in a major economic statement and direction for the city," he said.
Dubeau asked exactly when council would be voting. Bamford repeated it must be a full council. Black, slightly irritated, tried to restore order.
"The next regular meeting is next Monday. Pick a date. I understand that you want everyone here, I understand the reasoning. But we have to give a date when we specify a motion to defer," said Black.
Voting in favour were Councillors Bamford, Mike Doody, Veronica Farrell, Noella Rinaldo, and Black. Opposed were Dubeau, Joe Campbell, and Walter Wawrzaszek.
Councillor Joe Campbell had strong words for Bamford's motion to defer the vote. Andrew Autio for TimminsToday Campbell then made a blunt statement.
"I'm going to call this what this is. This is a manipulation of the vote. Okay? I mean, this has been debated for years, okay? Its come to this table, and this council is ready to move tonight on this. Councillor Bamford has done a straw-pull. Democracy's taking it on the chin again around this table. We have a quorum. This should have gone ahead," said Campbell.
Bamford tried to respond, but was muted by the mayor.
"I don't want to get into a big debate on it. With all due respect, democracy is council votes. Councillor Bamford gave the clear reason, he wants all of council to take part in the vote. Council supported that. We had a motion to defer. It carried. We will move on to the next item," said Black.
The firefighters then got up and left with flabbergasted and noticeably disappointed faces. One of them muttered "see you next week."
After the meeting, Black emphasized the importance of the decision.
"It has been a very closely debated item, with people switching their positions throughout, so we know whenever the vote happens its likely going to be a close vote. It was felt that all of council should be present."
He also commented on the sizeable crowd of firefighters, noting that they were exclusively from the fire department which wouldn't be directly affected by the decision.
"There wasn't a large contingent of the Whitney guys, or any I believe," he said.
One of the obvious concerns is that the campus of Northern College is relatively close to the South Porcupine Fire Hall on Bloor Avenue. Many believe the city will eventually push for two departments to merge.
"I understand the position of the South Porcupine volunteers, and some of their concerns going forward with this, but at the same time council has already had the debate on an amalgamated facility and turned that down, after listening to the concerns of the South Porcupine volunteers. I have reassured them over time, that at least from my own personal perspective, I would not support amalgamation unless they felt it was in the best interest of providing services to the residents of South Porcupine, and the volunteer firefighters as a group," said Black.
"I know there's differing opinions out there in the community, but our volunteer firefighter system is critical to the efficiency and affordability of our firefighting services in Timmins. We have one of the most affordable firefighting services in Ontario if you look at our hybrid model, and that's in large part due to the volunteers. I have a lot of respect for the volunteers, and their positions."
Black emphasized that it is a good deal for the city as it will it allow for a state-of-the-art emergency personnel training centre in the city which would not only boost Northern College's prominence, but a costly infrastructure project can be had for a relatively small contribution from city coffers.
"Here's a project where the province and the feds each gave five-and-a-half-million dollars to make it happen. Now we're debating whether or not we want to be a partner in that. If you look at what municipalities around the province sometimes donate to their education facilities, in return for nothing, just to support the development of those facilities, here we're contributing to the facility but we're also getting a new fire hall," he said.
Black said he hasn't heard concerns from Whitney firefighters over the project, and that discussions he's had indicate strong support.
Council will vote next week, unless Bamford, or another member of council motions to defer.
