HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2014-01-01, Page 1010 News Record • Wednesday, January 1, 2014
year in review
CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 9
per cent increase annually for the next 10 years. In 2013, resi-
dents paid $29.56 base rate and $1.32 volumetric rate for water
and "29.56 and .91 cents volumetric for wastewater.
Sweet victory
Central Huron stood up to the encroaching insurance indus-
try this past June, deciding to keep the tradition of victory laps
on top of the fire truck alive for championship minor sports
teams. Councilor Dan Colquhoun noted he had taken 12 victory
laps over the years and survived each one.
Cracking the code
Central Huron has had some woes coming up with a code of
conduct in 2013 with the initial draft brought to council June 4.
One of the most contentious issues was the appointment of an
integrity commissioner - something that would later come back
to haunt council.
Blue flag flying
Both the Bayfield Beach and Bayfield Marina earned Blue
Flag status this past year. The flag merits water and habitat qual-
ity, as well as public education. Bayfield Beach met 32 of 33 cri-
teria for the Blue Flag, joining 3,203 other beaches and 646 mari-
nas across Canada in the distinction.
Calling it splits
Central Huron Councilor Brian Barnim is leading a charge
along with the Huron -Perth Landowners Association to de -
amalgamate Goderich Township. On June 26 we reported
Barnim, who lives in the former township, said the issue is one
of fairness. Goderich Township provides 56 per cent of the tax
base for Central Huron, but the service does not reflect that. The
move effectively removed Barnim from the council table for
their strategic planning sessions. Council voted to stay as -is in
July.
Symposium
Huron -Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson hosted a renewable
energy symposium in Toronto this summer, inviting 100 people
with concerns and interest in renewable energy projects to the
table. Parties involved included the Ministry of Environment,
Hydro One representatives and members of pro and anti -wind
turbine groups.
Soccer standings
St. Anne's junior girls soccer team took the title of Huron -
Perth champs, winning on home soil in June against St. Mary's.
The CHSS senior girls placed third overall with their record of
6-3-1.
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To all those who have supported us during
our Christmas campaign, we would like to say,
"Thank you"!
Whether volunteering your time standing on
a kettle shift, helping us prepare Christmas
hampers, and supporting us with your donations
we would like to extend a heartfelt thanks.
The extent of your giving is far-reaching and will
help to make this a happy Christmas for many.
We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
God Bless you!!
CHSS student
Jessie Payne
and Grade 1 St.
Joseph's student
Peyton D. plant
one of 130 trees
during Earth Day
activities put on
by all five Clinton
schools.
JULY
Mass exodus
Worshippers attending mass at St. Anne's high school chapel
learned they would be heading to either Goderich or Seaforth
after the Catholic Diocese of London completed a review on
continuing the service. Decreasing numbers, fewer priests and
lay ministers were issues in the decision to end the local mass.
The final mass at St. Anne's was held June 29.
Healthy surplus
The Huron Perth Healthcare Affiance ended their year with a
$670,000 surplus in a year that saw their overall provincial fund-
ing cut by $200,000. The HPHA invested $5.1 million in equip-
ment and building projects last year.
Voter confidence
In an effort to make voting more accessible for the 2014 elec-
tion, Central Huron looked at proposals for telephone and Inter-
net voting. The switch represented a small increase in election
funding, to $24,000 over $22,500. Council voted to go with the
alternative methods during their July Committee of the Whole
meeting.
Good job, bad job
On July 24, we reported how Huron County's low unemploy-
ment rate did not reflect the quality of jobs available locally.
Over the past five years, several major employers closed their
doors as Ontario's manufacturing crunch hit home, putting
hundreds out of work. Many left Huron for work, skewing the
numbers, and there are positions still unfilled due to a skills
gap.
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Poverty problems
The Perth -Huron United Way and Huron County Social Serv-
ices department began hosting forums in 2013 to tackle the
problem of rural poverty. The forums brought together people
from social services, people living in poverty and front-line
workers to find solutions to the growing concern.
Foreign investment
The Avon Maitland school board welcomed 36 Brazilian stu-
dents to their high schools this year, as part of the government of
Brazil's With the World program. The move came after eight
months of talks with representatives in Brazil.
Bles this mes
On July 24, we reported Varna s Nathan Bles headed into the
Walton Motocross in eighth place in points after a ninth place
finish overall at the Monster Energy Motocross Nationals in
Courtland. Bles' goal was to enter Walton in the top ten, and bet-
ter still, he had a top ten finish on Huron County soil - with a
ninth overall finish at Walton.
East Street blues
Construction on East Street in Clinton was pushed back a few
times this year, with the final work being finished in October.
The work saw new water and sewer, pavement, sidewalks and
curbs installed along the street. During the height of construc-
tion, trucks and grain bins headed to the Fleming Feed Mill had
to detour slightly.
Police and thanks
Central Huron examined four different policing scenarios this
summer, after learning the OPP contract represented a 8.5 per
cent increase over 2012. Policing costs make up about one-fifth
of Central Huron's total budget, at $1.23 million.
Pain in the ash
The emerald ash borer continued its destructive path in Cen-
tral Huron this year, resulting in 100 ash trees being removed
from Bluewater Beach. The troublesome insect has been work-
ing its way up the Bayfield River valley.
U18 bronze
The Clinton U18 girls soccer team took bronze in their year-
end tournament in Blyth, capping off a solid season. Soccer was
alive and well this year, with about 400 kids enrolled.
Splashy new pad
The Bayfield splash pad was up and running for the 2013 Can-
ada Day weekend. In just eight months, the community man-
aged to raise the $150,000 necessary to build the park, with the
Optimist Club spearheading the effort. Paige Beaupre was the
lucky little girl who got to officially turn on the tap and get the
splashing started.
AUGUST
Ice, ice baby
Bluewater Council voted to make 2013-14 the final year for ice
in the Bayfield Arena - a move which angered user groups who
felt they were losing a long-standing community asset. Council
at the time debated making the arena an indoor sports facility,
with the possibility of an outdoor rink. This December, user
groups met with council to explain why the arena should remain
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