An unusual motion came out of a second closed session at Council September 10. Athol Ward Councillor Sam Branderhorst moved to disband the Athol Recreation Committee.

Its procedural bylaws allow Council to both appoint and rescind membership on any of its advisory and recreation subcommittees and local boards. The bylaws state, “should any committee neglect or refuse to give due attention to any matter before it, the Council may, by resolution, discharge such committee and appoint another committee in its place, or disband the committee in its entirety.” 

If a committee is dissolved, four new members must be appointed. 

Since January, a half-dozen members have resigned from the ARC. Committee Chair Carmen MacCallum stepped down earlier this summer. Just a few members remained, including Councillor Branderhorst.

The ARC was in the news earlier this year in connection with The HUB Child & Family Centre’s proposal for a new daycare at the Athol Town Hall. The plan was to create 24 child care spaces through a leasing arrangement with the County.

The HUB Executive Director Stacey Stanford sensed a lack of support from a number of Athol Rec Committee members worried about losing access to the Hall. She decided to withdraw the HUB from the project, much to the consternation of local parents eager to move off child care wait lists.

The minutes of recreation committee meetings make their way to Council. The high rate of resignations set off alarm bells at Shire Hall.

“When we see this many committee members resign in less than a year, it can be a red flag that there are dynamics issues,” said Picton Councillor Kate MacNaughton. “We’ve had six resignations this past year alone and we’re not even halfway through the term. Pressing the reset button lets the committee start fresh.”