By Pepper Parr
October 3, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
When David Vollick was accepted by city council in 2011 as the Town Crier there was just the one condition – that he not look to the city for financial support.
Glenn Gillespie, a Beachway resident meets Town Crier David Vollick.
Vollick wasn’t asking Council to pay him to do the job but he did point at that the people getting the benefit of the Crier usually pay a small stipend to cover the cost of cleaning the elaborate uniform he wears. As Dave pointed out ”it costs $50 to have this uniform cleaned and pressed.”
It continues that way. The city will frequently ask Vollock to appear – which he does. Doesn’t get a dime.
Last Sunday Vollick appeared once again as the Town Crier at the “Join the J” event at Spencer Smith Park. It was raining a bit and the grounds were muddy.
Town Crier David Vollick reading a message to Council in December of 2011.
We bumped into Glenn Gillespie, a Beachway resident who intends to stay in the home he owns despite the desire of the Regional government to buy it.
While introducing Glenn to David mention was made of the cost of cleaning the Town Crier Uniform. It took Glenn all of 10 seconds to offer to pay for the cleaning.
“I will arrange for my company to pay the cleaning bill for you” offered Glenn – which David willingly accepted.
Finally, someone has done the decent thing.
I can see that the city would not want to pay the Town Crier, but a nice gesture such as a modest gift card once a year would surely be in order.
He wants to do this. He approached council and they accepted? That is how this article reads. If that is the case, he can choose to pursue his hobby, or not. Or hope for someone to step up when he elects to do so.