Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-10-19, Page 1INSIDE THIS WEEK: RTO4 - Pg. 9 Tourism organization begins DestinationBLYTH FESTIVAL - Pg. 10 Local businesses report uptick thanks to festival CAR CARE - Pg. 13 'The Citizen' presents annual fall car care guide 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. 41 n $1 .25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, October 19, 2017 Festival of Wizardry brings thousands to Blyth It's up and... While there were plenty of goals scored in the numerous Quidditch games played on Saturday at the Festival of Wizardry at the Blyth Campground, the jury is out as to whether or not the festival itself has scored a goal in its effort to host thousands of wizarding enthusiasts in Huron County. Many who attended the festival, as well as Blyth business owners, were impressed with business upticks and all that the festival offered. However, the cancellation of Sunday's activities due to extreme weather and the muzzling of criticism on social media drew mixed reviews as the festival moves forward. Here, Quidditch teams from Ryerson and McGill Universities battled it out on Saturday in front of hundreds. (Quinn Talbot photo) By Denny Scott The Citizen Despite hard rain and high winds resulting in the second and final day of the Festival of Wizardry being cancelled, the event brought more than 6,000 people to Blyth on Saturday. The event, which was hosted by Transfigured Town Inc. at the Blyth Campground, as well as Blyth Memorial Hall had, between ticket holders and volunteers, 6,300 people attend on Saturday according to Transfigured Town Chief Executive Officer Nathan Swartz. Sunday was cancelled due to a special weather statement for the area that called for lightning storms, heavy rains and 70 to 80 kilometre - per -hour winds. Swartz, in a press release that was sent out to registered ticket holders and other stakeholders, explained that due to the risk of lightning and wind, the tents would be unsafe. Open portions of the event would also be unsafe, according to the release, due to the weather conditions. As a result of the cancellation, Transfigured Town Inc. has donated much of the leftover supplies for their events to the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre. On Monday, the company organized delivery of 25 crates of chocolate milk, 14 flats of two -litre pop bottles and whipped cream. Swartz said the company had always planned on the donation but, with the cancellation of Sunday, much more was donated. As far as financial donations, Swartz said Transfigured Town had hoped to donate $20,000 to the Huron County Food Action Network, the primary recipient of the event's funds, however that number may change. "Some of that was based on sales Continued on page 28 • County asks for more infacilities review By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Huron County has received some options on managing its property inventory, but some councillors feel the advice came with some glaring blind spots. The consulting team from WSP Projects Inc. spoke to Huron County Council at its Oct. 12 committee of the whole meeting, attempting to develop a functional program for future space requirements for administrative functions. The group hoped to review the county's current buildings and functional suitability and review current building conditions. Beyond the scope of the review, however, was alternate models of service delivery and technological advances, which led to a number of concerns from councillors. With advancements in technology and more sophisticated connectivity in Huron County, several councillors felt the traditional bricks and mortar workplace would grow to be obsolete as the years go on. It was that concern, in part, that led to the buildings review. Several councillors felt that innovations like jump seats and an increase in working from home would change the county's building requirements in terms of space and amenities. The review didn't take those factors into consideration, so councillors said it wasn't a failing of the consulting firm, but rather that council will need further consulting on the future of the workplace. The consultants, however, said that while advancements in technology were beyond the scope of their review, there would still be a place for face-to-face interaction in the world of running the county. They said that customer service and the human availability and interaction of the workplace would always have a place, no matter the Continued on page 23 M -T to drop councillor in '18 By Denny Scott The Citizen With very little pomp or circumstance, Morris-Turnberry Council unanimously voted to change its composition from six members to five during its Oct. 10 meeting. Current council composition has a mayor, deputy -mayor and four council members elected at large. The new composition will have four councillors and one mayor, doing away with the deputy -mayor as a separately -voted -for position and instead having one of four councillors fill the role. While there was agreement on the change, some ideas were presented that didn't find traction with council, including Councillor Dorothy Kelly's suggestion to take whatever savings are realized from the move and use it to reduce taxation every year. Council agreed that the reduced costs would naturally find their way back to the ratepayers. Councillor Jim Nelemans said the proposed change to a smaller council should require a recorded vote and the rest of council agreed with him. During municipal elections next October, ratepayers will vote for a total council of five with the councillor with the highest votes earning first right of refusal for the deputy -mayoral position.