Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-11-23, Page 1INSIDE THIS WEEK: PARADE - Pg. 6 Brussels Santa Claus Parade this Saturday BUSINESS - Pg. 18 Brussels -area man creating truck stop THEATRE - Pg. 23 McHenry tapped as next Sudbury artistic director Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON NOG 1HO 4Citiz Volume 33 No. 46 n $1 .25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, November 23, 2017 Beating the crowd It's a well-known fact that Santa Claus is a busy man by the time December rolls around, so getting to him early is probably a sound strategy for children looking to ensure that every item on their list gets stroked off. Here, Jaela, right, and Kylin Elligson, centre, were able to score some face -time with Santa at the Blyth Business Improvement Area's Lighting of the Lights, which was held at Memorial Hall on Saturday night. The day included the lighting of the village's Christmas tree, crafts and, of course, visits with Santa Claus. (Quinn Talbot photo) Grievances aired at NH town hall meeting By Denny Scott The Citizen North Huron Township Council faced some pointed questions from a handful of ratepayers at a municipal town hall meeting last week. As part of encouraging public feedback, council drafted a bylaw several years ago making one such meeting per year mandatory. The meeting was held in Belgrave and covered topics ranging from police coverage to council remuneration to winter sidewalk maintenance. The meeting was moderated by Director of Planning for Huron Country Sandra Weber who explained that questions would be taken first from people who had signed up to speak, then from the floor. She said each issue would be given five minutes if required and council could respond past that time limit if the issue warranted more of council's time. SIDEWALK CLEANING The first question came from Wingham resident Steve Hill who wanted to know if the township planned on removing snow from sidewalks in community safety zones. The areas in question were created by bylaw around local schools to encourage slower traffic through high -foot -traffic areas. Reeve Neil Vincent said he wasn't comfortable commenting on that issue as he didn't know what kind of equipment or manpower would be necessary without input from the relevant departments. Hill said it would require existing staff to move over 10 feet while clearing the streets. Futhermore, he said he asked about the issue at last year's town hall meeting and still hadn't received an answer. "I asked last year what the cost would be and was told it would be worked on," he said. Councillor Brock Vodden said the Public Works Department has been under several different department heads, both temporary and permanent, over the last several years. As a result of the turnover, the issue was still being dealt with, he said. "[Snow removal] is on the docket to be looked at, not just in safety zones, but across the municipality," he said, adding he expects a "good plan" to be presented regarding the issue. POLICING John Brown asked the assembled council members about the next steps regarding the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) policing model that was presented earlier this year. Brown, an East Wawanosh resident, explained that he was concerned with the rising cost of the Wingham police department, especially if council decided to expand the department's services to the rest of North Huron. "My worry is that Wingham [will expand] to include East Wawanosh and Blyth," he said. "Wingham is paying an exorbitant price for protective services." Brown said each home in Wingham has paid over $800 per household for the 2017 taxation year and he didn't "want to see the white elephant come to East Wawanosh and Blyth." "[My concern is] costs may come down in Wingham, but [East Wawanosh's] and Blyth's costs would raise exorbitantly in order to subsidize Wingham," he said. "Right now, OPP is costing me $210 per year and Blyth is $365 per year, Continued on page 21 Steffler group to help youth By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen John and Heather Steffler, parents of Tanner Steffler who died as the result of a drug overdose earlier this year, are hoping to shine a light on the lack of resources for those embroiled in drug addiction in Huron County. The Stefflers spoke to Huron County Council at its Nov. 15 committee of the whole meeting, asking that council back the foundation they established in the wake of their son's overdose and its efforts to foster a better environment for youth in Huron County when it comes to drugs, addiction and mental health. Heather read councillors a letter that the Tanner Steffler Foundation has been sending out to prospective donors. The letter tells Tanner's story, saying that he was a handsome and intelligent teenager who was "full of life and potential" who longed to be an x-ray technician. "Tanner was remarkably honest and shared his struggle with those he knew loved and cared about him," Heather said. "In many ways, Tanner was a typical teen and could, at first glance, be anyone's child. His story solidified for us that addiction and mental health can impact anyone's child, no matter their colour, creed, income or status." While the loss of Tanner was both surprising and tragic, the Stefflers said that in the aftermath of Tanner's death, they're trying to do some good in the Huron County community when it comes to access to mental health and addiction services. The pair said that their hope is to begin by providing access to education and health services, eventually building up to the construction of a facility in Huron County that would aid youth aged 12 — 24 who are in crisis. "With less than 200 residential treatment beds available for the youth of Ontario, there is an urgent need to provide a facility where youth can attend school while receiving access to treatment, counselling and other health services," she said. "The foundation recognizes the need for youth to have long-term treatment that is accessible, free and is a multi- faceted approach. The goal of the facility would be to heal the whole child through parallel treatment processes that support both the child and the family." They added that there are Continued on page 20