Pelham’s independent news source from the Heart of Niagara
The
VOICE
Vol.15 No.38
Focu s on
Pelham
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Wednesday, November 23, 2011
2011 Pages 7 to 19
Town’s CAO, Martin Yamich, retires BY SARAH MURRELL VOICE Staff After four years at the helm of the Corporation of the Town of Pelham, Martin Yamich is hanging up his suit jacket. The Town announced last Wednesday that Yamich had given notice of his retirement and council had accepted his request at a recent meeting. Yamich, who has more than 20 years of municipal experience, was appointed Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) in June of 2007. Prior to coming to work in Pelham, Yamich served as the Director
of Corporate Services for the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. “When Marty was hired he always said he would be here five years,” said Mayor Dave Augustyn in explaining the CAO’s retirement. “I think he just decided to hang up his skates.” Under Yamich’s leadership the town has progressed “immensely” said Augustyn, explaining Yamich introduced a better way of doing things, better budget process, staffing efficiencies, and helped Pelham land government grants and stimulus money that was, previously, almost impossible for this community to receive. “He moved us to a higher level
and he can feel confident about that and I think he does,” said Augustyn. “He accomplished a tremendous amount and that may be part of his decision” to retire. Yamich is the third senior staff member to leave his job in a relatively short period of time. Community and Infrastructure Services Director Kelly Walsh resigned, the town ended it’s working agreement with Fire Chief Scott McLeod, and most recently Yamich has retired. Augustyn says staff and the community may be concerned at the number of staff leaving, but they shouldn’t be. Each case, he said, needs to be looked at individually, saying the cases
are not connected. Yamich, who is on vacation, could not be reached for comment before press time. In a press release distributed last Wednesday, Yamich said “I have appreciated the opportunity to provide service to the residents of the Town of Pelham for the last four-and-ahalf years.” “As the leader of the Town’s senior management team, I believe I made important contributions to Pelham and to those who enjoy the Town’s services by ensuring staff conducted their work in a safe, effective and efficient manner.” Augustyn said he is sorry to see Yamich go, adding the Town
will continue to move forward and be the great town that it is. “Council and I thank Marty for his service as CAO and for his many contributions to Pelham,” said Augustyn in the press release. Planning and Development Director Craig Larmour will assume the role of acting CAO during a recruitment process for a new Chief Administrative Officer. Augustyn told the Voice that a new Community and Infrastructure Services Director will be hired “imminently”, the process is well under way to hire a new Fire Chief, and the town will now be recruiting for the CAO’s position as well.
Time for giving, sharing and toy drive BY SARAH MURRELL VOICE Staff It is time, once again, to think about the children in our lives and the wonderful array of toys and games on their Christmas lists. For the 22nd Christmas, the Fonthill Firefighters Association is asking you to also think about the wish lists of other children this holiday season. “It’s amazing,” says organizer Rod Richards that this will be the 22nd Annual Community Christmas Collection. From Saturday, Dec. 3 through Dec. 11 the firefighters at Station #1 in Fonthill will be collecting donations of new toys or warm Ask The Experts:
Jim Pedlar & Tina Moessner
blankets to make Christmas brighter for those in need. The firefighters, many pet owners themselves, also collect dog and cat food for the Humane Society to ensure pets are also taken care of this season. Many of us think of small children and the wonderful toys they might like to find under their tree, but the firefighters are also asking people to think of older kids when donating, and include items teens would like as well. All of the toys and gifts donated through the fire association are distributed through Pelham Cares to local needy families, says Richards, noting they have always guaranteed that the needs of Pelham
Cares will be met. Any toys that are not needed by Pelham Cares are donated to Welland Community Care, which also services Pelham families. Donations can be made at Pelham Station #1 on Regional Road 20 in Fonthill on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m to 8 p.m. and weekends from noon to 4 p.m. during the drive. Donations can also be dropped off at the Fonthill Branch of the library, Town Hall, TD Bank, Meridian Credit Union, CIBC Bank, Royal Bank branches in both Fonthill and Fenwick. Also this year, anyone who drops off a donation will receive a card for a $10 haircut at the
Niagara Square location of MagicCuts, where Tina Cullen, wife of Bob
Cullen, works. There is also a drop box for donations at the salon.
Fore more information, contact Richards at 905714-4519.
FIREFIGHTERS with Station #1, Bob Cullen (left) and Rod Richards, are, once again, asking the community to help them help make Christmas brighter for kids this holiday season. Sarah Murrell/Voice Photo