The Citizen, 2017-05-11, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017.
Speer triumphs at provincial competition
ANNUAL PUVLIC SPEAKING Lu'.. ES I
Yep, it's real
James Speer of the Brussels area was the big winner on the weekend at the Provincial Legion
public speaking competition in the Grade 1-3 category. The competition goes no further, which
means Speer has won all he could win. His speech on how adults say some confusing and
sometimes funny things began at the Wingham Legion and had provincial judges and
spectators rolling in the aisles on Saturday in Stratford. (Photo submitted)
Alcock begins time with M -T
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
During his first official meeting as
Morris-Turnberry Director of Public
Works, Mike Alcock had praise for
his new employers as well as some
suggestions before council.
Alcock was hired after Morris-
Turnberry and North Huron
dissolved their shared public works
department and then -director Jeff
Molenhuis was hired by North
Huron.
Since then, Wray Wilson has been
interim director for Morris-
Turnberry. Last month, Alcock was
named to the position. He has
previously worked for South Huron
as well as Huron County.
"I was pleasantly surprised at how
much you have your things
together," he said to council at its
May 2 meeting. "Both former
municipalities are working together
and coming through those growing
pains [following amalgamation] and
using standardized forms... That was
a pleasant surprise. I thought there
was going to be a lot of work needed
right off the bat, but that wasn't the
case."
Mayor Paul Gowing said it was
good to hear that Morris-Turnberry's
"house was in order."
"We got away from the ward
system and have been working as an
amalgamated municipality," he said.
"It's good to hear that focus has
served us well."
Alcock also weighed in on
requests from the East Wawanosh
150th reunion committee, saying he
saw no problem with requests for
accessible parking and using vacant
lots adjacent to County Road 4 for
general parking, but did
Continued on page 9
Input sought on firearm bylaw
Continued from page 3
when drafting the bylaw, because
animal control officers have proven
to be difficult to contact or outside of
the area in the past.
During previous discussions, he
said the municipality needs to
identify people who have hunting
experience who could be utilized by
the municipality to help with
problem animals, however Chief
Building Official Kirk Livingston
pointed out the bylaw was only for
discharging firearms and not for
dealing with dangerous animals or
animals with distemper.
Vodden had also said that North
Huron needed an answer for
ratepayers dealing with ill or
animals suffering distemper,
however Chief Administrative
Officer Sharon Chambers said,
before identifying a trapper, council
needed to decide the extent to which
it wants to govern animal control.
"Is this going to be dealing with a
family of skunks under someone's
deck or are we talking about
[an animal with distemper] in
front of a post office?" she asked.
Council decided to have staff
research several concerns from
members of the public before
selecting a date for public feedback.
The original draft bylaw was
prepared by shared services
Livingston who based it on similar
documents prepared by
neighbouring municipalities.
The draft document states that no
one, outside of identified individuals
and police officers, shall discharge
firearms, air guns, spring guns, bows
and crossbows within identified
urban areas in the municipality as
Auburn, Belgrave, Blyth,
Whitechurch and Wingham.
It also defines firearm as "any
weapon from which any shot, bullet
or other missile can be discharged
and is capable of causing bodily
injury or death to any person" and
lists slingshots, air guns, paintball
guns and spring guns as falling
under the bylaw.
The bylaw doesn't apply to law
enforcement officers, animal control
officers or provincial conservation
officers, individuals using said
weapons for educational or
ceremonial purposes with
permission from the bylaw
enforcement officer, or anyone at a
lawful shooting range, paintball
club, skeet club or shooting meet
authorized by the bylaw
enforcement officer.
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Continued from page 1
calibre," she said. "Not just the
presentations but the quality of the
writing as well."
James said he also enjoyed being
on the stage at Stratford Town Hall,
which his mother explained was
more of a theatrical stage than the
Legions at which he had previously
spoke.
"I had to be really loud because it
was so big," he said. "There was a
balcony and it was a big difference."
Another concern was when James
woke up last Monday, less than a
week away form the competition,
without a voice. Maggie explained
the situation made her nervous given
how important the competition on
the weekend was, however James
said by the time he had to talk, it was
nothing he couldn't handle.
"I had been fighting a cold all
week," he said. "My nose was a little
bit runny, but it was nothing to worry
about. I just got up and did my
speech."
When asked what the key was to
having the best speech in the
province for his age group, Speer
said that he wasn't sure, but felt
making people laugh might be the
key. He also said he was just himself
when he was up on stage, which his
mother said was on the mark.
"Anyone who knows James knows
that speech is true to him," he said.
"There was no faking or acting, it
was just true to his personality."
Saturday, the day of the
competition, was a busy one for the
family as they came back from the
event to be on hand for the District 8
Ambassador Competition at the
Brussels Legion.
James presented his speech at the
event while judges deliberated on
the ambassador competition.
According to Maggie, between the
ambassador competition and the
public speaking event, James and his
brother heard 35 speeches that day.
They got home late but there was no
rest for James as Sunday morning he
began fielding calls from local
organizations hoping to have him
present his speech at group
meetings.
"I might be getting a little tired of
saying it, but I enjoy it," he said.
"Laughter is my fuel. The first laugh
gives me the fuel to keep going on to
the next page of my speech and it
just keeps going like that."
While James had previously
celebrated his win by going to The
Keg with his family, following the
competition the Stratford Legion
hosted a barbecue and for the young
lecturer, there is little doubt as to
which meal he prefered.
"The barbecue was the best," he
said. "I ate two hot dogs, a
hamburger some chips and four
Oreo cookies. It was definitely better
than when we went to The Keg."
As for next year, James won't give
any secrets away, saying he plans to
keep his speech under wraps until
it's time to present it to his class and
hopefully start his experience all
over again.
He said the challenge will be even
greater as he will be against fellow
Maitland River Elementary School
student Austin Bieman who fell
short of the provincial competition.
Senior's bay Thursday
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CORPORATION
OF THE
MUNICIPALITY OF
MORRIS-TURNBERRY
NOTICE OF A MEETING TO CONSIDER
AMENDMENTS TO THE
BUILDING PERMIT FEES:
Notice is hereby given pursuant to subsection 7(6) of the Building
Code Act, 1992 S.O. Chapter 23, as amended, that the Council of the
Corporation of the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry will be considering
the following at a Public Meeting, which will be held on:
Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at 7:40 pm
1. Building Permit fees: a review of a proposal to amend the Building
Permit fees for the year of 2017.
The meeting will be held at the Council Chambers located at
41342 Morris Rd., RR 4, BRUSSELS, ON.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
A copy of the proposed fees can be obtained at the municipal office
or on the municipal website.
Nancy Michie - Administrator Clerk -Treasurer
Telephone: 519-887-6137 Ext. 21
Email: nmichie@morristurnberry.ca
Website: www.morristurnberry.ca