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The Citizen, 2017-05-11, Page 1INSIDE THIS WEEK: IPM '17 - Pg. 10 Beautification Committee Chair has deep IPM roots GARDEN - Pg. 13 The Citizen' presents its annual spring section OTTAWA - Pg. 34 Blyth delegation makes Ottawa pitch, hosts event Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON NOG 1H0 C1t1Z Volume 33 No. 19 n WE LC ©ME TO BLYTH ESTABLISHED 1877 $1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, May 11, 2017 A glorious performance Tim and the Glory Boys renewed their love affair with the Huron County area on Saturday with a standing -room -only performance at Huron Chapel in Auburn. The group, which won this year's Juno Award for best Gospel recording, had previously performed in Huron County, first at Memorial Hall in Blyth and then at Huron Chapel the following Sunday. Saturday night's performance attracted audience members from locations far and wide to the small community of Auburn. (Denny Scott photo) Brussels plan now adopted Huron East Council officially adopted the new Brussels community improvement plan (CIP) at its May 2 meeting. The process involved the passing of two bylaws, one to adopt the CIP itself and a second to specify the area to which the plan applies, which is the main street in the downtown core of Brussels. Huron County Planner Claire Dodds and Huron East Economic Development Officer Jan Hawley both spoke in favour of the plan at council's meeting. This adoption of the plan comes after a lengthy and detailed presentation of the plan at the April 18 meeting of council, which was held at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre. At that time, heritage architect Chris Cooper was on hand to present the plan and a number of members of the public were present to ask questions about the plan. At the May 2 meeting, Dodds said that when the bylaw was passed, there would be a 20 -day appeal period. If no appeals are filed, she said, final approval could take place and the plan could be ready to go by the beginning of June. Hawley told council that in the first year of the CIP, there will be $20,000 available, with applications eligible for up to $5,000 each. Those funds will refresh annually. Morris-Turnberry votes to buy into Brussels FD By Denny Scott The Citizen Morris-Turnberry, pending the approval of the Ontario Fire Marshal, will be buying a portion of the Brussels Station of the Huron East Fire Department. The agreement, which was approved during Morris-Turnberry's May 2 meeting, will see Morris- Turnberry pay for 45 per cent of the assets of the Brussels Fire Department, five per cent higher than the 40 per cent buy -in that had originally been suggested. During the meeting, Chief Administrator -Treasurer Nancy Michie explained the increase was due to Morris-Turnberry 's assessment comprising 49 per cent of the department's coverage area. The increase results in Morris- Turnberry paying $315,900 towards the hall, $180,900 of which is existing infrastructure and $135,000 for a new truck being purchased. Morris-Turnberry will be paying 45 per cent of operation for the site as well, which will cost $58,767. After the buy -in, Michie said the move would save the municipality approximately $20,000 annually compared to have a full-time fire prevention officer on staff. Provincial legislation states that municipalities need certain fire services and Morris-Turnberry had a Fire Prevention Officer until earlier this year when he resigned, leading the municipality the choice of rehiring him or pursuing a partnership with Huron East. The agreement had been discussed during in -camera sessions, however after Huron East discussed negotiations publicly, Morris- Turnberry Mayor Paul Gowing decided to bring his council's discussions into open council session. In her report on the issue, Michie explained that changes had been made to the agreement since Morris- Turnberry had sent it to Huron East including the increase in cost/ownership. She also stated that a change making sure that Morris- Turnberry had representation at meetings be considered. One of the changes discussed by council was the fact that, if Morris- Turnberry decided to dissolve the agreement the municipality had no claim to the assets or value of the station despite its buy -in. If, however, Huron East decides to end the agreement, Morris- Turnberry is entitled to compensation. Council discussed the issue and, despite some concern with the potential loss if Morris-Turnberry decided to leave, felt the agreement was favourable than it had been during previous discussions. "There is some history for the Continued on page 12 Speer wins Legion provincial competition By Denny Scott The Citizen Brussels -area native James Speer overcame stiff competition, some last-minute medical issues and nervousness to claim his spot as top Grade 1-3 public speaker in the province. James, alongside his mother Maggie and brother Ben, travelled to Stratford over the weekend to compete at the Royal Canadian Legion Provincial Public Speaking competition after winning his way through the Area competition late last month in Barrie. His provincially -recognized speech details the odd things that parents say, including idioms and adages and, according to his mother, had attendees at the event rolling in the aisles. While James said he was nervous when they were announcing the winner, Maggie said she didn't think he had realized what he had achieved at the event. "He's taking it in stride, but I don't think he realizes the magnitude of the competition," she said. "Being eight, I don't think that he understands how big a competition it is." James said he was a bit nervous at some of his past appearances on the road to the provincials, but said he didn't feel as nervous as when he saw them handing out the plaques. "I could read them, even though they were upside down, and I kept seeing them and saying, 'Not mine, not mine, not mine,' and then they read the last one," he said. "It said winner, and had my name on it." James said the speeches were of a higher quality at the provincial competition, saying he only heard one speech at the Area competition that was similar in quality to those competing to be the best in Ontario. His mother agreed, saying the event really did feature the best of the best. "The quality of the event was high Continued on page 8