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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2015-01-21, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, January 21, 2015 Internet providers urge county to invest locally Dave Flaherty Goderich Signal Star Local internet providers are not currently on board with a proposed plan to bring ultra broadband connectivity to western Ontario. At the Jan. 14 Huron County committee of the whole meeting, represent- atives from local internet providers voiced their concerns about the SWIFT project to council members. The companies repre- sented were HuronTel, Hay Communications, Tucker - smith Communications, Wingham Telecom and Quadro Communications. The Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus (WOWC), partnership with the Southwest Eco- nomic Alliance (SWEA), are proposing the SWIFT project, which would a build high-speed fibre optic regional network. The SWIFT project web- site claims there is cur- rently only 25% fibre optic coverage in western Ontario. It indicates the SWIFT project would create 100% coverage by the year 2040. The WOWC represents the counties of Huron, Perth, Bruce, Grey, Duf- ferin, Simcoe, Wellington, Brant, Oxford, Middlesex, Lambton, Essex, Chatham -Kent, Elgin and Norfolk as well as the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Rob Van Aaken, general manager of Tuckersmith Communications, said the five local internet compa- nies have about 100 employees and all con- tribute to the local economy. Van Aaken said their opinions on the SWIFT project have not changed much in the past year. He said local providers have worked hard to ensure "all residents and businesses, both in densely and sparsely pop- ulated areas throughout Huron County have access to high speed internet." Huron County is ahead of other areas in the region when it comes to ultra -broadband connec- tivity, Van Aaken said. A map provided with the group's presentation to council shows that com- munities such as Amber - ley, Bayfield, Blyth, Brus- sels, Clinton, Dashwood, Exeter, Goderich, Grand Bend, Hensall, Londes- borough, Lucknow, Rip- ley, Seaforth, Wingham and Zurich have been "connected with it EITR0H II GC 0 Ry You are invited to attend these area churches ST. THOMAS ANGLICAN 21 Jarvis St., Seaforth Rector The Rev. Karine Snowdon Rectory 519-482-9071 Church Office 519-527-1522 SUNDAY WORSHIP JANUARY 25th 9:30 am Followed by Annual Vestry Meeting EVERYONE WELCOME EGMONDVILLE UNITED CHURCH Pastor Steve Hildebrand Youth Coordinator - Laura Nakamura WORSHIP JANUARY 25th,10:30 a.m. Youth Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Come and Join us. All are welcome For more information view our web site www.egmondvilleunitedchurch.com and Like us on Facebook. ST. JAMES ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Welcomes You 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 519-345-2972 Sun. Mass 11 a.m. ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN Sat. Mass 5 p.m. • Sun. Mass 9 a.m. FR. BRIAN McCOLL NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH MINISTER MARY FLETCHER Welcomes You SUNDAY, JANUARY25th Ilam Coffee Hour prior to Service 54 Goderich St., W 519-527-1449 ( www.cavannorthsideunited.ca `, BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Rev. Mark Kennedy Sunday Worship Service 11 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 9:45 a.m. Tuesday Evenings Youth Groups - Junior & Senior High 6:30 to 9 p.m. Boys & Girls Club 7 p.m. Wednesdays 7 p.m. Men's & Women's Bible Study ti EVERYONE WELCOME FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth 519-527-0170 Rev Rob Congram Lorrie Mann - Organist SUNDAY, JANUARY 25th,11:00 a.m. January 24, 5:30 pm Robbie Burns Pot Luck Supper ALL WELCOME Sunday School (.� Nursery Provided as Needed state-of-the-art affordable technology." The map indicates that the most connected parts of the county are in the northern and southern parts. Van Aaken told council that in the past five years, they have invested $50 million into broadband infrastructure through the county. He noted that local com- panies have not waited for incentives from upper -tier governments to install this infrastructure. Without these invest- ments, Van Aaken said cli- ents such as the county itself (and all lower -tier municipalities), the local school board, the Huron - Perth Healthcare Alliance, local medical clinics and a number of large busi- nesses would not be able to compete in today's marketplace. According to Van Aaken, some of the concerns of local providers are that the SWIFT project is intended to "overlap or leverage their existing net- works, undermining their existing customer base and threatening their con- tinued rural build out." By having over 50% of the population with access to ultra broadband, "Huron County is an intel- ligent community." He said Stratford likes to market itself as a "con- nected community", but he said Huron County is more connected and should be promoting that. He urged county council to stick with local providers. In regards to the SWIFT project, he asked if the county makes an invest- ment if they could be sure it would be put back directly to Huron County. Van Aaken said "the principles of SWIFT are fine" but he and his col- leagues feel the local pro- viders can meet the requirements. Warden Paul Gowing said Huron County is not the only municipality that has concerns about SWIFT. "There are some impor- tant decisions that have to be made," Gowing said. North Huron Mayor Neil Vincent stated that the "job the local independ- ent (internet providers) and the investments they've made are some- thing other regions are jealous of." Huron East Deputy Mayor Joe Steffler said he has more confidence in local providers and that is where he would like to see the county invest in. "What is your business plan going forward," Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan asked Van Aaken. Van Aaken said moving forward they want to take a "Made In Huron" approach. "I don't think we can work within the SWIFT model," he said. Gowing said the WOWC had directed the commit- tee overseeing the SWIFT project to work with local providers but said he believes that hasn't happened. CAO Brenda Orchard said the county has not had any meetings with SWIFT representatives since August and some municipalities are prepar- ing their "plan B" for the situation. She noted that staff would presenting the pos- sibility of partnering with local providers at an upcoming meeting in event that Huron County does not move forward with the SWIFT project. Bluewater Mayor Tyler Hessel said they should explore the possibility of partnering with neigh- bouring counties. "It's something that has to be explored," he said. A representative from SWIFT will be in attend- ance at the next commit- tee of the whole meeting, Orchard said. Usborne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING The 139th Annual Meeting of the Usborne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company will be held at the Kirkton-Woodham Community Centre at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2015 for the presentation of the Annual Report, to elect Directors and to transact any business that may rightly come before the meeting. Nominations will be received for the election of two Directors for a three year term. The Directors whose term of office expires are Jack Hodgert and Larry Gardiner. Jack Hodgert will stand for re-election. Larry Gardiner is retiring from the Board after serving for 26 years as a Director. Article 22: Any person wishing to seek election or re-election as a Director must file his/her intention to stand for election in writing with the President & CEO of the Corporation in person at least thirty days in advance of the Annual Meeting or Special General Meeting called for the purpose of electing Directors. The 2014 Financial Statements for Usborne & Hibbert Mutual will be posted to the company's web site. Copies will be available at the company office, 507 Main Street South, Exeter, Ontario. Tom Feeney Shelagh Cleary BA, FCIP Chair President & CEO