Task force split about running Hall
Posted by John Malloy on 07/07/2010
By Don Crosby -
A citizens’ task force set up to develop a unified strategy for all of Meaford’s revenue-generating municipal facilities runs the risk of creating new controversy.
The task force committee report was unanimous in the parts of a study released last month that relate to the Meaford Library, the Meaford and St. Vincent Community Centre, the Meaford Museum, Memorial Park and Meaford Harbour.
But when it came to the Meaford Hall the two committee members representing the Meaford Hall and Culture Foundation couldn’t agree with the rest of the task force and submitted their own minority report.
“At the end of the day I was very disappointed that they felt a need to put in a minority report. It felt that they were doing more harm to themselves than helpful. I didn’t feel the points they were making were that fundamental,” task force chairman Doug Miller said in a recent interview.
He considers the task force’s majority report a potential turning point in ending the conflict that has plagued the community over the cost of renovating and running Meaford Hall in recent years.
“I think this task force will put a very divisive past behind. I and lots of others worked hard to get a compromise and worked mightily and thought we were there, but the two people from the foundation were working to get a different compromise going,” said Miller.
The task force report recommends establishing a new a board of directors, to report to the town’s chief administrative officer, to oversee the operation of Meaford Hall. It also recommends keeping the position of general manager. Council has already agreed to do away with the general manager’s position once his term ends later this year.
Miller said many task force members see a lack of focus, even confusion in the current position and marketing of the hall. He is calling for a governance structure that would have the trust of the entire community…
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