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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-03-09, Page 1INSIDE THIS WEEK: IPM 2017 - Pg. 10 Daltons, Ryans continue countdown to IPM 2017 PLAN - Pg. 12 Farmers continue to oppose Heritage Plan COWBELL - Pg. 19 Blyth brewery marks one year since announcement Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON NOG 1H0 4Citiz Volume 33 No. 10 n $1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, March 9, 2017 Hanging out With spring said to be just around the corner, the little bit of snow left on the ground at Hullett Central Public School had changed into a bit of a mucky mess on Monday, despite the fact that it still remained quite cold. Always with a mind of cleanliness, Elizabeth, left, and William Howson spent their entire recess period on Monday afternoon climbing on the school's bleachers in an attempt to stay clean and out of the mud. (Denny Scott photo) Central Huron to retain ward system By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen On Monday night, Central Huron Council voted to maintain the municipality's current ward system. Council faced widespread criticism of the proposed move in the form of several delegations, the municipality's own website poll and residents speaking to councillors over the past two weeks. The issue was first raised last month and council held its public meeting on the issue on Monday night. Approximately two dozen residents were in attendance for the meeting. Ahead of council making its decision, delegations of Bill Stevenson, Dave Hemingway and Brian Barnim all spoke against any changes to the ward system. Stevenson told council that he felt the public had not been adequately consulted on the matter and didn't necessarily ask for these changes. He also cited the Goderich Township de -amalgamation initiative of 2013, saying that dissolving the ward system would be a slap in the face to those residents, 70 per cent of total West Ward residents, who signed a petition wishing to deamalgamate from Central Huron. Hemingway agreed with many of the points made by Stevenson, adding that removing the ward system in Central Huron would be simply another step in the distancing of government from the people it's meant to represent. He cited examples of organizations like the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) and the conservation authorities to illustrate the distancing of government from its community roots. Barnim said that dissolving the ward system would kill a long, proud tradition of grassroots, community governance that Goderich Township has known for decades. He also referenced the deamalgamation discussions from 2013, saying that removing the wards from the municipality would no doubt spark that fire to burn once again. He suggested that if council was to go ahead with abolishing the ward system, it would no doubt result in an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) challenge, that would draw the process out until past Jan. 1, 2018, meaning that it would then be too late for the changes to take effect in time for the 2018 municipal election. He suggested a referendum vote on the topic to truly garner input from residents. He acknowledged that a referendum would also delay any potential changes until the 2022 municipal election, but said it would be no different than if council were to make a decision at Monday night's meeting that would result in an OMB challenge. He also referenced current Continued on page 15 Final open house scheduled for Blyth school building By Denny Scott The Citizen The Blyth Public School is being opened for one last time before it faces demolition later this year. Blyth Arts and Culture Initiative 14/19 Inc. Project Director Peter Smith explained that he wanted to give the community, as well as former teachers and students of the facility, an opportunity to bid farewell. "It's going to be an open house before the closing of the house," Smith explained. "I wanted to figure out a way for the community say goodbye." The site will soon be the home of the Grant and Mildred Sparling Centre which will house the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity (CCRC). Plans for the site include space for the fabric arts and textiles (FACTs) program, digital productions and the continued use of the garden space behind the existing public school. The structure is being planned by Heather Dubbeldam and her company, Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, which was chosen by 14/19 Inc. for its work with advanced environmental building practices and accolades within the architectural community. The construction of the facility and the creation of the CCRC is the second in a three -pronged program set out by 14/19 Inc. The first phase is the ongoing renovations of the Blyth Memorial Hall, which is set to conclude later this spring. The final phase of the project is to set up a trust to continue programming at the CCRC. The event, which will be held on Saturday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to noon, will offer an opportunity not just for people to come and say goodbye to a building that has been part of the community for years, but to witness the school as it was before the land continues its life as an educational facility. Smith said those attending need to wear sturdy footwear as the site is still somewhat a construction site, and said because of that, it may not be exactly as people remember it. "You can still come in, however, sit in a chair and take in that vibe, that spirit, that a structure that has served as an educational site has," he said. "We want people to have one last look before we start to prepare it for the new Grant and Mildred Sparling Centre" Smith said the site needs to be an educational centre because, since 1896, that's the purpose the land has served. Committee to host Ladies Night The Brussels, Morris and Grey Recreation Board is hosting its second annual Ladies Night Out on March 30 in hopes of raising funds for upgrades to the BMG Community Centre. The board held its first Ladies Night Out last year. It was a success which sold out weeks before the event. It would go on to raise approximately $5,000 for needed upgrades and renovations at the community centre. Organizer Nicole Noble, also a member of the board, said that she and other board members have high expectations for this year's event and hope it will garner enough interest to make the event an annual one. The fundraiser is set to take place at the community centre on Thursday, March 30. The doors will open at 6:15 p.m. and the program will begin at 7 p.m. Adam Cousins will be performing live music that night and the guest speakers will be a representative from Just In Time decluttering and hoarding services and Dr. Sumar from the Clinton Hospital, who will speak on women's health and Continued on page 15 He also said that saying goodbye to the building has been a bittersweet endeavour and one he had hoped wouldn't need to happen. "We seriously looked, through our architects and through [various Continued on page 18 Daylight Saving Time Begins Clocks go mead one hour Sunday March 12 at 2 am