City Council's wonderful wayback machine

The year may be 2012, but the first hour of Monday night's council meeting was a trip into the city's past. Monday, Apr. 16 marked 100 years since Sault Ste. Marie was incorporated as a city back on Apr. 16, 1912.

The year may be 2012, but the first hour of Monday night's council meeting was a trip into the city's past.

Monday, Apr. 16 marked 100 years since Sault Ste. Marie was incorporated as a city back on Apr. 16, 1912.

The council meeting began with town crier Mary Rossiter (shown above) officially declaring the Sault 100 years old and calling the meeting to order.

A slideshow presentation highlighted important city related events over the past century and the stroll down memory lane was hosted by a special visitor from 1912 - former city clerk Charles J. Pim who was fully clad in old time attire (played by local comedian Tim Murphy).

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Joe Fratesi shared a glimpse into what the city staff was like in 1912.

Fratesi said there were only seven full time employees (today the city employs over 700 people) and salaries were modest to say the least.

The city engineer was the highest paid employee at $2,160, police magistrate made $1,800, city clerk $1,500, treasurer $1,400, fire chief $1,200, tax collector $1,000 and assessor $950.

"If there were a Sunshine list back in 1912, that list would be it," Fratesi joked.

Fratesi's position wasn't established until 1962, when long time treasurer and former mayor William J. McMeekan was appointed the city's first CAO exactly 50 years ago Monday.

Since McMeekan there have been three other CAO's - Donald Evans (1968 to 1980), Allan Jackson (1981 to 1995) and Fratesi (1995 to present).

The Sault's current CAO and longest serving former mayor added that wages in 1912 were calculated by pennies per hour and departments like legal, human resources, community services and social services didn't even exist.

Something else that wouldn't occur in 1912 would be a female mayor like Debbie Amaroso.

Amaroso, the city's first female mayor, pointed out women weren't permitted to vote until the 1921 Federal Election.

"The mayor and entire council serve our community, friends and family with the best intentions and make decisions with clear minds and honest conscience," said Amaroso.

"Just like those who've served over the last 10 decades, good decisions are not always popular or the easiest to implement, but as history has shown, good decisions have positioned our city in Ontario, Canada and the World as a dynamic place to live, work and play."

Fratesi wished to extend an invitation to all former city staff and elected officials for a special reception to be held on Wednesday, Apr. 18 at the Civic Centre from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

"The City of Sault Ste. Marie, in my opinion, has been well served by the many staff that has been employed over the last 100 years," said Fratesi.

"I'm especially pleased we're recognizing our current and former staff as well as current and former elected officials."