Truth Corner

Reality:

Council updated the indemnification policy in 2020, first adopted in 2006.

The policy protects individual members of council, employees, and members of town boards from gaps in the town’s insurance program. The town’s liability insurance protects council as a whole.

During a person’s time on council, they might find themselves subject to a lawsuit or similar proceeding in connection with their duties as an elected official. The policy protects them in these cases, subject to certain limits...

Reality:

The total project cost for the twin-pad arena and library project is $59-million, of which the land portion is already paid along with some project management and design fees. The remaining project cost to be covered is $51-million, of which $31-million will be financed through long-term debt.  This debt will be issued when the project is complete in 2023.  The annual payment will be in the range of $1.5 million and will be made through tax revenue and development charges.  

In...

Reality:

Communication with the public is something the Town of Wasaga Beach takes seriously.

We use a number of different tools and platforms to share accurate information about town services, programs, and council decisions. One tool we use on a daily basis is Facebook.

Authorized staff manage our corporate Facebook page, as well as a handful of departmental Facebook pages, including our events page and our youth centre page. These staff also serve as page moderators.

No one but authorized town...

Reality:

Mr. George Vadeboncoeur came to the Town of Wasaga Beach from the Town of Penetanguishene. He spent nearly 11 years with Penetanguishene.

In 2005, a sub-committee of Wasaga Beach council held a competition and interviewed several people for the position of CAO. Mr. Vadeboncoeur was the successful candidate and he started with the town in November 2005. He is paid based on the council approved employee wage grid.  The then mayor, Cal Patterson, did not give Mr. Vadeboncoeur the job....

Reality:  Sixteen full-time employees have left the town from March 16 to Nov. 16.  They left for a variety of reasons including leaving for a more senior position in their field (3); retirements (3); took lateral positions with other municipalities that pay more (3); for personal reasons (2), and taking a job in the private sector(1).  We know that two of the employees were disgruntled about the town’s approach to delivering essential services.

Rumour:  At least 19 employees...