Put $50,000 ED officer pay into projects: Smith

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By Derek Dunn

EMC News - An Arnprior business owner has offered to take up the position of economic development officer.

Doug Smith, a mayoral candidate in the last municipal election and current member of the economic development committee, this week said he is willing to do the job for free if the town agrees to sink the estimated $50,000 annual salary into signage and related projects.

"I'm willing to do it on a voluntary basis," Smith said. "I'd like to see the money used for other things."

Smith said the position doesn't necessary have to go to him, but he believes the proper place for it is in the committee.

The committee, chaired by Mayor David Reid, has already discussed spending on flyers, new bilingual brochures and an updated town website.

Smith said the $50,000 could be matched by both the provincial and federal governments, with the City of Ottawa and Renfrew County each chipping in $25,000. Businesses could contribute another $50,000 bringing the total to $250,000.

Smith said he planned to inform Reid about the idea at the next committee meeting, but it was cancelled.

Reid said he would comment on the economic development officer job during the current budget deliberations.

He would prefer to have the new chief administrative officer, Kevin McLlwain, make a recommendation on how to proceed.