By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A municipal committee dedicated to Chatham-Kent big-ticket infrastructure items is no more.
In existence since 2017, the Infrastructure, Bridges, Culverts and Roads Innovation Committee was disbanded by Chatham-Kent council at its Feb. 24 meeting. Council approved the measure following a recommendation from Chatham-Kent’s head of infrastructure and engineering.
According to the report, Edward Soldo’s recommendation came on the heels of a meeting of the committee held Feb. 4, where the four councillors who sit on the board decided the best way forward was to disband. The committee is comprised of 12 people.
The councillors include Carmen McGregor, Conor Allin, Lauren Anderson and Jamie McGrail, with non-council members voting against it earlier this month.
Members of the local agricultural community opposed the move, with agri-business leader Bill Parks and Kent Federation of Agriculture (KFA) president Jim Brackett making deputations to council.
Brackett said the rural community relies upon the roads and bridges and culverts to do business and the KFA does not support the dissolution.
But those in support of ending the committee say that improvements in the municipality’s interactions with the public – including the increased use of the Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent webpage and other forms of public consultation – has made sharing with the community easier.
McGrail said she appreciates the work the committee has carried out in the past, noting they are a great group of knowledgeable people.
The North Kent councillor said the decision to dissolve the committee did not come lightly, but noted the committee and its mandate has evolved.
McGrail said she thinks the process is now “more accessible” for the public to provide input.
“That’s the only reason I’m here today recommending that this committee, as it sits, as its mandate is today, needs to be re-looked at or dissolved,” she said.
Anderson said she acknowledges the expertise of the other committee members, explaining they could be incorporated into other municipal boards or committees.
“These experts can be utilized in a better way in different community groups,” Anderson explained noting it was no longer an effective group.
In his comments, East Kent Coun. John Wright said the loss of the committee is a “loss of the rural voice,” noting the committee should be re-examined.
In speaking to the issue South Kent Coun. Trevor Thompson said the dissolution shouldn’t be viewed as a failure, instead it points to a job “well done.”
“This committee has run its course,” Thompson said. “It’s met its obligations and we should dissolve the committee.”
The vote for dissolution passed 11-5.
