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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2015-11-11, Page 14Humanitarian promise by new PM Trudeau is allegedly halting another humanitarian effort for Seaforth Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was sworn in November 4. Prior to his landslide win he promised that 25,000 Syrian and Iraq refugees would reside in Canada by the end of 2015, a pledge that is potentially putting the brakes on a migrant family from coming to Sea - forth, said local Brian Melady. Melady, a long-time financial plan- ner, is in the thick of potentially spon- soring an Ethiopian family of five to live and eventually become Canadian citizens. Since Huron County's federal voice is that of three -time MP Ben Lobb, who is part of the Conservative Party and Trudeau is the leader of the Liberals, Melady expects this to be a game of `hot potato'. "Right now there is some confusion or concem of how both provincial gov- erment and federal government are going to continue to respond to the ref- ugee crisis," explained Melady. "(We're) hoping with Trudeau's announcement to cabinet that they might have some more direction on the supports that will be available for the refugees:' The goal to fly the mother with her two sons and two daughters is expected to cost $30,000 for the first year. Right now Melady and his signifi- cant other Vicki Powers have raised $4,000. To make the task more accessi- ble and shave the expenses down, Melady agreed to let the Ethiopian family settle in one of his homes that is currently unoccupied in Seaforth. He has received a lot of feedback, but not much money has been donated to the refugee venture. As it stands a $100 has been given from the time when Mel- ady called an informational meeting for the community October 29 at the Bethel Bible Church. "I don't want to have to show photos of dead children on beaches to touch someone's heart," said Melady refer- ring to the three-year-old boy found drowned face down in the sand last September. The photograph displayed the hard- ships of thousands of Syrians fleeing the country by boat and many losing their lives trying to cross the ocean, which caught the media's attention internationally. "We have a humanitarian concern for the Syrian refugee crisis, but what is the response to the refugee crisis in general," Melady said. "This is a crisis world-wide:' In the early 80s a Vietnamese family arrived in Huron East area to live with Melady's grandparents, this is what boosted the idea to start this special immigrant undertaking. When both his grandparents died, the whole fam- ily attended and he said to date he still keeps in touch with them. "The Vietnamese people had twins born and one past away, they had no place to bury it. "It's buried at my grandparents in St Columban," he said. Council confidant that wind turbine representative will respond to HEAT Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor Most of the members at Huron East's round table were poised at an upcoming meeting that they say will answer a lot of the HEAT group's questions. In the course of a council confer- ence in Seaforth the HEAT topic was once again brought to atten- tion, many of the Councillors spoke highly of the Columban Wind Pro- ject operation manager David Hay - les. Instead of the municipality having to be the go -to organization they said this man will be the pri- mary "point of contact." "It goes through this protocol process that if you have complaints or issues, it's direct, you go right to him," said Huron East CAO Brad Knight. After meeting Hayles, Tuckersmith Councillor, Ray Chartrand stated, "it seems that he wants to work with the people. "This is an opportunity for the HEAT group to get everything they want answered in the terms of communication," Chartrand said. From past council meetings the anti -turbines posse has requested that Huron East relay messages because they purported that none of their inquiries were being met. According to the group the wind turbines are keeping residence up at all hours of the night and they simply are asking from cooperation from Huron East since they believe their concerns are not being heard. Tuckersmith councilor, Larry McGrath said at a council meeting November 3 that it would be a wise decision to pass around Hayles number around to the community and all HEAT members. But Huron ti SILVER BELLS CHRISTMAS BAZAAR & TEA Sat. Nov. 21,1-4pm St. Thomas Anglican Church, Seaforth Featuring: • The Tea Room • Homemade Christmas Pudding • Mincemeat • Christmas Cake • Home Baking • Deli • Our Church Recipe Books • Gently Used Books Everyone Welcome 9 East Mayor Bernie MacLel- lan believed that is not the coun- cil's obligation to do so. "That's not a responsibility of the municipality, if I got a com- plaint, I'm going to find out a number that I can phone to take care of it. (If) I've got the com- plaint once, I got the number," explained the mayor at a council meeting. The seminar known as the Com- munity Liaison Meeting will be held at Huron East's town hall on November 18. LET'S ALL DO OUR PART! PLEASE RECYCLE. Wednesday, November 11, 2015 • Huron Expositor 15 Shaun Gregory/Huron Expositor Gezahgn Wordofa, founder of the Multicultural Association of Perth Huron speaks to a crowd in Seaforth about the refugee system. Gezahgn Wordofa, founder of the Multicultural Association of Perth Huron attended the communitymeet- ing last week and he said the organiza- tion is prepared to support this family when they arrive. Wordofa who is also originally from Ethiopia specializes in the welcoming of "new comers.' "His grandparents, they used to do the same thing, it's wonderful. It's a good example as a Canadian and I'm very proud I know him," Wordofa commented. This Friday Melady is set to meet MADE• ISH® Canada Because some wishes can't wait for someday. www makeawish.ca 1-888-822-9474 PARK TH EA'TRETM4 s..., CODERICN Slg 524 713 FOJi MOVIE INFORMATION... w'ww.rnawielinks.r..a ,..d1-800,205-3438 ��Frlta's 3 DAYS FASHION BOUTIQUE ONLY! 250/.OFF'"'" BONUS 5% OFF NOVEMBER 12, 13 & 14 WITH NEW UNWRAPPED GIFT FOR THE 15 Victoria St. Clinton 482.7180 HURON COUNTY CHRISTMAS BUREAU! with Lobb and on November 23, he and Wordofa are meeting face to face with the Premier of Canada, Kathleen Wynne to further discuss the matter. If anybody would like hear more infor- mation or donate contact Meldady at the email meladypowersrefugee@ gmial.com or check out the website at donate.mcccanada.ca/registry/ melady-powers-seaforth-refugee-fam- ily-sponsorship-group ;Egmondville United Church Presents "SUGAR PLUM" BAZAAR Saturday, Nov. 14th, 2015 9am—ll am �/ Preserves, Gift Items, Crafts, � Baking, Sewing & Knitting Grace Margaret Scott Granddaughter of Bill and Gwen Scott, received her Master of Science on October 23, 2015 at Western University, London, Ontario. She successfully defended her thesis entitled "Perception of Fatigue in Individuals Diagnosed with Head and Neck Cancer" in June 2015. Grace is working as a research associate for the London Regional Cancer Program at Victoria Hospital and the Algoma District Medial Group in Sault Ste. Marie. Congratulations Grace from your family. We are so proud of you!