HOW MUCH DO TAXPAYERS PAY FOR THE DUFFERIN COUNTY CAO

Public Sector Salary disclosure website shows that for 2009 the taxpayers in Dufferin paid the top bureaucrat at the County CAO a salary of $143,004.12.

Don't believe me?? Check out this link: http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/publications/salarydisclosure/2009/munic09.html
This is the same CAO who can't seem to get a coyote bylaw right, who seemingly wasn't able to interpret the County 's own longstanding tree bylaw correctly, but who now is advising:

"At the direction of the Warden and the Chair of the Museum Board we wish to advise that effective immediately, the existing County of Dufferin Bylaw 2006-15 will be enforced to its fullest extent and will apply to all cutting. Applications for minor exemptions under this bylaw will be considered based on the entire area of the woodlands, regardless of property lines.
The County Forester has been directed accordingly.

Linda J. Dean, MPA"

This is the same CAO, who accepted the position as County CAO at the salary offered several years ago, but then within 2 years convinced the County Council that the top bureaucrat should always make more than anyone else in the County and received a raise in keeping with the position;

This is the same CAO who has "allegedly" violated the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) by "reporting" on those nuisance ratepayers to their employers, thereby subjecting the County (and taxpayers) to a potential civil lawsuit;

This is the same CAO who within 2 short years of becoming the County CAO, surreptitiously moved office from the front of the County building to the back of the building, upstairs, out of the way of the pesky public, without notifying Council.

How did she do that? Well she read the policy and realized that if she spent less than $10,000.00 doing it, she wouldn't have to obtain Council permission (and thereby not inform Council BEFORE she did it). How much did the move cost the ratepayers-between $9,000 and $10,000.00.

That is right, just under $10,000 to move an office. Remember, it needed to be in keeping with her position as THE most senior bureaucrat in Dufferin. And I do believe it involved some VERY nice furniture too.

This is the same CAO who County employees don't raise any sort of concerns or objections or they find themselves escorted to the door, without explanation or reason. Not a problem for the CAO, because the taxpayers pay for the wrongful dismissal, all behind closed doors so the public has no idea what is going on or what they are paying for. Is that the kind of organization that you want handling YOUR tax dollars? Where staff who might be in a position to know something is amiss, is afraid to speak out? In my opinion, the show up and shut up method seems to be the County CAO's management style.

This is the same CAO whom I watched in disbelief at County Council as the press were taking pictures of politicians for some good deed they had done and the photoshoot stopped dead, as the CAO, a paid employee NOT a politican, took leave of her dais and took a place in the photoshoot.

Here is a tip: a CAO's job is to carry out the elected Council's policies and directives and for $140,000 be able to advise Council and know when a bylaw is not in conformity with provincial legislation or when the County is obligated to enforce their own bylaws. Their job is NOT to ensure their picture appears in the paper alongside elected officials.

In my opinion this same CAO is stifling any sort of ratepayer involvement or questioning by her belittling answers and her impatient and discourteous manner. The average taxpayer should not have to be a lawyer, a municipal expert or have legislative experience or knowledge to be able to ask a question and expect a response. Being belittled, looked down upon and shut down or out is NOT the type of open and transparent government to which the County of Dufferin ratepayers are entitled or pay for.

I am sure that politicians do not need to be reminded that a municipal employee's behaviour reflects on the politicians and their chances for re-election. The bureaucrats keep their job no matter how nasty they are to the paying public.

Here is something to think about. New Tecumseth (Alliston) pays their CAO $143,571.68 a year. That CAO is also a lawyer, who I can bet does NOT need to pay for a legal opinion on a New Tecumseth bylaw. Dufferin pays their CAO (who's background is the Clerk of Orangeville) $143,004.12. Which ratepayers are getting more value for their money, New Tec or Dufferin?

Just a thought.