OPP costing voted down

News — 18 January 2011

Roughly 60 people turned up at the Open Council meeting on Mon., Jan. 17 to witness the debate regarding Councillor Brian Collins’ motion to endorse the Dryden Police Service as the city’s official policing.

In a recorded vote, Councillors Ken Moss, Mike Wood and Collins all voted in favour of the motion, with Mayor Craig Nuttall being the only vote against. The motion was passed with a 3-1 decision.

Councillors Martin MacKinnon, Mary Trist and Mel Fisher declared conflict due to family members being employed by the Dryden Police Service (DPS), and did not partake in the discussion or vote.

“I have nothing against this police force, but I’m looking at it from a business point of view,” stated Nuttall.

A motion was put on the table by Wood to amend Collins’ motion to add “for the term of council.” That would eliminate the issue completely for another four years. This was voted yea by Collins and Wood, but nay by Moss, with Nuttall defeating the amendment with a nay response.

“I feel that this cloud will be over this city for the next four years. I don’t think it’s going to go away, it’s going to be a cloud over our head, and every time we turn around, the police will ask for more money, and they’ll say, why didn’t you do a costing,” said Nuttall.

President of the Dryden Police Service, Anne Tkachyk stated the budget numbers reported by Mayor Nuttall in the media were “completely false.”

She states, “In fact, the net cost of the budget for the Dryden Police Service, to the taxpayers of Dryden is was $1.4 million. Based on government grant funding and revenue totaling $2.3 million, in order to offset the cost of policing for this municipality. The city received $1.8 million in 2010 and currently just over $2 million in 2011 from the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF).”

Chair of the Dryden Police Services Board, Bill Hovi stated, “The board continues to be acutely aware that as we move forward into this budget year, and budgets ahead, that we will make sure that taxpayers’ concerns continue to be reflected in our policing budget.”

When questioned about the job loss of almost 20 civilian staff with DPS, Nuttall referred to the loss of revenue over the years from the call centre.

He stated, “If the non-uniformed staff is not bringing in revenue like they used to, what are we going to do? Carry them for the next four years? We’re in hard times, difficult times and that’s the only thing I’m looking at.”

When thinking of the loss of civilian staff if Dryden were to convert to OPP, MacKinnon comments, “I’m the finance guy, and Dryden has much bigger concerns that the police service. A lot of this commotion is drawing away from the real issues in town. I have a big concern about losing any more jobs in this community. We can’t afford as a community to lose 20 jobs.”

Moss discussed the surrounding communities that have made the choice to eliminate municipal police forces, and go strictly OPP.

“I believe we’re better off to wait, and see the ramifications of their decisions. In other words, lets learn at their expense,” he stated.

Chief Shayne MacKinnon commented, “We have a very strong partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police and it’s issues like this that erode that partnership and really drive a wedge between us when it comes to our partnership and looking after each other in law enforcement.”

Collins, who put the motion forward to council, reminded the gallery that the DPS is about more than just writing tickets.

“This force in this community is a force that is all about community policing. We’ve talked about all the services that they do. The funeral escorts, the video camera security, the video in the overpass. Do you actually think the OPP would do that? The resident’s registry, the safely home program for people with Alzheimers. All those things, that’s what makes a community.”

Councillor MacKinnon says can’t put a dollar figure on all the community services the Dryden Police offer the community.

By Ally Dunham

Related News

Observer Poll #11: OPP police costing analysis — is it necessary?

For the past year a local debate has raged over the question of whether the City of Dryden should request the Ontario Provincial Police conduct a free analysis to determine ...

City’s debt level at $24 million

Councillors hear auditor’s report on 2010 financial statements, May 4 By Lindsey Enns Financial statements from the year 2010 were revealed to the public in a special City Council meeting, May 4, ...

Pictured from left (back row): Mayor Craig Nuttall, Cnst. Terry Menard DPS, St. Joseph’s School Principal Mark Lugli, Dryden Police Service Chief Rob Davis. Front row: Karson Bibeau and Walker Hazelwood. Photo by Chris Marchand

Youths commended for positive actions

By Chris Marchand Cst. Terry Menard could hardly believe what he was seeing down at the Government Dock, March 18. Eight year-olds Walker Hazelwood and Karson Bibeau were diligently hauling away and ...

City to release DMTS financials early next week

By Chris Marchand Concerned taxpayers will soon get what they’ve long been calling for — a chance to look at the financial picture of the Dryden’s Municipal Telephone Service and Mobility ...

Unease lingers in council over tone of debate

By Chris Marchand Councillor Mel Fisher spoke at length, March 12 on his views that city council is promoting a culture of negativity in its political churnings of late. In the matter ...

Former police chief running for council

On Feb. 22, retired Chief of the Dryden Police Service, Shayne MacKinnon, declared his candidacy for the vacant City of Dryden Council seat left by Mike Wood. MacKinnon is a lifelong ...

Ice Dogs have busy week

By Ally Dunham The Dryden Ice Dogs started out last week with the Mayor’s Challenge, facing the Sioux Lookout Flyers with some home and home action on Feb. 14 and 15. ...

City looking for input on strategic planning

By Ally Dunham Joe van Koeverden, City Manager for the city of Dryden, approached mayor and council at the Feb. 13 Committee of the Whole meeting, looking for approval on a ...

The Kenora District Municipal Association staged its annual general meeting in Sioux Lookout, Feb. 2-4. Photo by Chris Marchand

First Nations relations important theme at KDMA meeting

By Chris Marchand Woven throughout last week’s Kenora District Municipal Association annual general meeting was the theme of creating social and economic dividends through closer ties between the region’s native and ...

By-election will replace Wood

By Ally Dunham With Mike Wood announcing his resignation as councillor from the City of Dryden, his seat was officially declared vacant at the Feb. 1 special meeting called by council. Acting ...

Observer Poll #11: OPP police costing analysis —