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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-09-07, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2017. PAGE 9. Peel ready to serve as School Fair Ambassador Her time to shine Abigail Peel is just about ready for the biggest day on her calendar this year, as she was named Elementary School Fair Ambassador earlier this year and the fair is set for next week. Peel says she's excited for the fair and is no stranger to how important it has been to the community over the years. She is seen here in the East Wawanosh 150th anniversary this summer. (File photo) County to write off Above the Falls loan By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Huron County Council has written off a $50,000 loan made to the Above the Falls Community Trust in 2011, as the company has since folded. "In 2011, county council approved a loan to the Above the Falls Community Trust to develop their business model in Benmiller. This loan was to be repaid over a period of five years beginning in 2016," said Treasurer Michael Blumhagen in his report to council. "Unfortunately, the business was not successful and was closed with the remaining assets to be sold.... As such, with the loan being impaired, staff are recommending that the $50,000 loan on the county's balance sheet be written off." The limited correspondence from the group left much to be desired, however, from some councillors. Goderich Deputy -Mayor Jim Donnelly called the business a "train wreck of an operation" and added that members of the public are owed an explanation for what went on with public funds in the form of a county loan. He went on to call the letter a "disgrace" and "shameful". "The few physical assets of the company were sold and that money was used to pay off a bank overdraft and to cover lawyers' fees. The shipping container building we had constructed was given to the Falls Reserve Conservation Area for their use in exchange for the use of a portion of that property for the five years previous," said the letter to the county by Rob Bundy. "The remainder of the funds from the sale of equipment was given to the Huron Business Development Corporation, the major creditor." Bundy went on to say that Deb Shewfelt, who was a county councillor at the time of the decision in 2014, was "fully aware" of the actions being taken once it was decided that the corporation would be unable to repay the loan. Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan said that the loan was ill- advised at the time and that the county essentially got "caught up" in providing a loan to a private enterprise. While it's unfortunate that the county has to write off the loan, he said, taxpayers can be assured that policies are now in place to ensure the county never makes such a loan again. Donnelly added that while he and the taxpayers are owed a more thorough response from those involved, he said that attempting to receive further information would be an "exercise in futility" and didn't make a motion to that effect. em cat ... Share your news by placing your announcement in The Citizen Call for pricing & details 519-523-4792 or 519-887-91141 By Denny Scott The Citizen Abigail Peel thought that being the ambassador at the Elementary School Fair in Belgrave would be an interesting experience and endeavoured to make it happen. She was named to the esteemed position this year and is looking forward to opening the event on Sept. 13. "It was really exciting winning the title," she said. "Every year I would go to the event and I thought it would be cool to be ambassador." Peel topped the competition by linking Canada's 150th anniversary, the topic provided by the organization, to the people responsible for the Elementary School Fair. "I said that the RBC Make 150 Count Grants encouraged people to volunteer, like the fair committee does every year," she said. Peel, who is heading into Grade 7 at F.E. Madill School, has been visiting the fair since several local schools amalgamated and says it's a fantastic opportunity for people in the area. "I went to Turnberry Central Public School so, I went to Maitland River Elementary School, we had the Howick-Turnberry Fall Fair to go to, but it was so far away," she said. "Being at Maitland River, which was the main school for the event, was different and exciting." Peel will have the honour of opening the fair in front of students from her alma matter of Maitland River, her new school of F.E. Madill and new addition Sacred Heart Catholic School. While the number of students being invited may make some speakers anxious, Peel said she is looking forward to it. "I'm excited, not nervous," she said. "I'm looking forward to it." To anyone looking to follow in her footsteps, Peel encouraged them to do two things: be prepared to take notes and not be afraid to ask for help. "The biggest tip is to bring a clipboard to write notes at the meeting because there are important things to learn," she said. "People also shouldn't be afraid to ask [fair board members] Alice McDowell or Teresa Becker for help because they are always ready to help out." Peel said she wanted to thank everyone for making the fair a reality and said she is looking forward to her responsibilities at the event. As ambassador, she will walk in the parade with dignitaries, open the event, present awards at the livestock show and communicate with students. She has already been involved with some events and will continue to represent the fair through parades and school open houses. For more information about the fair, visit the Elementary School Fair on Facebook or contact president Alice McDowell at 519-523-9549. 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