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Vol. 4
No. 10
YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER - LANARK, NORTH LEEDS & GRENVILLE
OCTOBER 2017
Forbes Symon takes over key director role in Perth
Perth - Sally Smith editorial@pd gmedia.ca
“It was like the first day of school,” Forbes Symon grinned, extending his hand. The new director of development and protective services for the Town of Perth apologized for being a few minutes late. Understandable, considering this was his first morning at Perth Town Hall and settling in isn’t accomplished in one day. Symon is continuing the work of Eric Cousens, Perth’s previous director of development and protective services. Luckily, and thankfully for him, Symon says there has been some overlap with Cousens “which has been invaluable.” “I’ll be acting as a senior planner for the municipality,” Symon explains, “overseeing protective and development approvals, building inspections and bylaw enforcement.” As one of four directors, Symon will work in a mentoring role “assisting the fire chief, and building and bylaw inspectors, helping them solve problems but, for the most part, letting them do their jobs.” He will also be part of the annual budgeting process. And in any future initiative,
like the heritage conservation area in town, he will actively seek support from staff to instigate new undertakings. Mayor John Fenik welcomed Symon at council on Sept. 26. “We’re looking forward to a long-term relationship with him.” Of all the candidates, “he stood out,” Fenik said. Symon’s first day was Sept. 25, and Cousen’s last day, after 16 years on the job, was Sept. 29. The 55-year-old isn’t new to Perth, only to this job. Symon came to town in 1999 and has been job-circling ever since, drawing closer and closer to working in what he says is, “the prettiest town in Ontario.” He looks at this particular position as the culmination of 29 years, having spent his entire career in small-town Ontario. He’s proud of that, and proud of his almost three decades serving the public. He and his wife, Alyson, have two daughters. One is finishing school at the University of Guelph and the other is at Trent University. Previously he worked in Mississippi Mills, then North Grenville and for a short time in South Frontenac. Now, he sighs happily, there is no long commute. “This is the first time in a long time,” he
Forbes Symon, Perth’s new director of development and protective services, feels the town has a bright future. Photo credit: Sally Smith.
admits, with fanciful thoughts of even arriving at work in a kayak, paddling from his home in Glen Tay, or by a bicycle, but “not in the winter,” he says. These are the things that make life fun. He knows Perth well. He describes it as having a mature sense of itself, a strong sense of
place. Whether that’s because it’s based on limestone, or because of its vibrant downtown or diverse residential area, whatever it is, Symon feels Perth values this sense of history and tradition. He says that Perth, along with many small communities, are on the verge of a renais-
sance, but Perth in particular is poised to grow and accommodate a mass retirement of baby boomers, especially with its hospital, high schools, recreation areas and parks. “It’s in good shape,” he says. So, say hello to Symon when you see him. It seems like he’s here to stay.
New workplace legislation to be topic of Nov. 1 public forum Smiths Falls - Chris Must editorial@pd gmedia.ca
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The Ontario government’s plans to raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2019 – and other pending workplace legislation – will be the focus of a public forum hosted by the Smiths Falls & District Chamber of Commerce at the Memorial Community Centre Nov. 1. Guest speaker for the forum will be Karl Baldauf, vice-president of policy and government Facebook/HometownnewsPerth
relations with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act is currently at the second reading stage in the provincial legislature, and is intended to make a number of amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000. The changes include annual increases in the minimum wage on Jan. 1, 2018 and Jan. 1, 2019, with subsequent inflation adjustments on Oct. 1 in subsequent years.
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Other proposed changes in the bill would affect holiday pay, vacation entitlement, and pay equity. A new section would grant unpaid leave to employees who are victims of domestic or sexual violence. The special “town hall meeting” to be hosted by the Smiths Falls chamber in partnership with the Town of Smiths Falls and the Ontario chamber, will be a free, public event and will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1.
Baldauf will make a presentation on the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, or Bill 148, and its potential impact on businesses. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide input on the bill. Representatives from the Ontario Ministry of Labour will be in attendance, although they will not be speaking or answering questions. A discussion will follow the presentation.
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