Monthly Archives: March 2010

03.07.10
by

2009 Public Sector Salaries, City of St. Thomas

These are the most recent figures filed in March, 2010 for 2009.
Employee, their position with the city, salary paid and (taxable benefits).

Barber, Bob Chief, fire department $125,398.87 ($945.21)
Boe, John Senior Platoon Chief, fire dept. $110,221.98 ($631.77)
Brisseau, Mark Senior Capt. fire dept. $103,066.72 ($573.48)
Broadbent, Robert Senior Platoon Chief, fire dept. $$108,413.40 ($601.02)
Carroll, Michael Administrator, Valleyview Home $104,628.72 ($847.08)
Dart, Graham Director Human Resources $113,048.10 ($914.93)
Datars-Bere, Sandra Director, Ontario Works $104,628.72 ($847.08)
Denham, Rudi CEO, Library $100,279.35 ($726.59)
Dewancker, John Director, Environmental Services $123,565.17 ($984.38)
Donker, Steve Senior Capt. fire dept. $106,729.04 ($573.48)
Driedger, Jeff Senior Insp. police $119,871 ($1,146.96)
Gonyou, Joyce Director Nursing, Valleyview Home $103,904.64 ($662.39)
Graves, Wendell City Clerk $106,388.31 ($847.08)
Hikele, Richard Senior Capt. fire dept. $102,275.54 ($515.19)
Hill, Glenn Senior Capt. fire dept. $109,123.18 ($568.16)
Jensen, Oscar Deputy Chief, fire dept. $114,921.54 ($693.81)
Keenan, Patrick Director, Planning $113,048.06 ($1,514.93)
Kernohan, Kevin Senior Platoon Chief, fire dept. $116.150.56 ($620.22)
Lynch, William Chief, police dept. $135,424,00 ($3,296.00)
Mundt, Randy Senior Staff Sgt. police dept. $100,700.84 ($935.43)
Ormerod, Ray Senior Training Officer, fire dept. $104,084.60 (618.84)
Pinnell, Darryl Deputy Chief, police dept. $126.494.48 ($2,211.79)
Scott, Warren Senior Capt. fire dept. $104,480.07 ($573.48)
Traichevich, Mark Senior Insp. police dept. $119,871.40 ($1,146.96)
Walters, Mark Senior Capt. fire dept. $102,260.00 ($573.48)
Willson, Rodger Senior Platoon Chief, fire dept. $107,647.02 ($631.77)
Withenshaw, Steve Senior Staff Sgt. police dept. $101,677.98 ($946.08)

03.06.10
by

Wind power is unreliable, expensive and doesn’t result in lower C02 emmissions. Why is Ontario still rushing ahead with it?

Erie Shores Wind Farm


In October 2007, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) — the government’s own agency, tasked with planning Ontario’s power system and now entering into long-term contracts with renewable energy producers — published its Integrated Power System Plan, where it analyzed a “high wind power” scenario for the province, and concluded: “Since wind generation has an effective capacity of 20% compared to 73% for hydroelectric generation, additional generation capacity with better load-following characteristics would need to be installed.

“This needed capacity will likely have to be obtained by installing additional gas-fired generation. Thus, in addition to incurring further capital costs for the gas generation installation, higher gas usage would be expected to make up for the reduced amount of renewable energy from wind compared to that from hydroelectric generation or this alternative. Therefore, this alternative would result in higher greenhouse gas emissions.” The OPA concluded: “Wind and solar power will never be more than a niche supplier of power in Ontario.”

For an hour-by-hour comparison of generator output and capability, visit the IESO website. Scroll down to wind total. In particular for Elgin county, follow the meagre output from the Erie Shores Wind Farm near Port Burwell.

Full story

03.06.10
by

St. Thomas Sunshine Club proves stingy on memberships in 2009

city_scope_logo-cmyk
Holding the line or a pause in the action? Membership in the city’s Sunshine Club stalled at 27 in 2009, based on figures released this week under the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, which requires municipalities to publicly report salary and benefits of more than $100,000 paid to municipal employees.

Mind you the select group would have inched up to 28 but for the extended leave of absence undertaken by city treasurer Bill Day who, in 2008, earned a base salary of close to $110,000.

Leading the payroll parade again this year is St. Thomas Police Chief Bill Lynch at $135,424, up marginally from $135,267 in 2008.

As was the case at this time last year, Deputy Chief Darryl Pinnell has a lock on second place at $126.494 — virtually identical to a year ago.

Three other members of the force remained on the list: senior inspectors Mark Traichevich and Jeff Driedger at $119,871 (up slightly from $119,732 in 2008); and Staff Sgt. Steve Withenshaw, $101,677 ($101,627); while Staff Sgt. Randy Mundt joined the club at $100,700.
Continue reading →

03.05.10
by

Request for qualifications issued for St. Thomas Consolidated Courthouse project

Posted by Ian: Soil testing began late last month on the south side of the courthouse property and today (March 5) the next step began in the long process to undertake a new consolidated court facility for St. Thomas and Elgin. Here is the announcement …

ST. THOMAS, ON, March 5 /CNW/ – Infrastructure Ontario released a request for qualifications (RFQ) today to design, build, finance and maintain a new consolidated courthouse in St. Thomas. The new courthouse will be constructed on Wellington Street on the site of the historic Elgin County Courthouse, which will be incorporated into the new courthouse design.

Currently, the region’s Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice operate from two separate locations in St. Thomas. The new St. Thomas Consolidated Courthouse will:

– improve access to justice in the region by consolidating existing
courthouse facilities and services into one new location;
– have more courtrooms, better accessibility and security, and improved
health and safety standards.
Continue reading →