Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2014-01-01, Page 1616 News Record • Wednesday, January 1, 2014 year in review CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 15 Sancton, who has written exten- sively on the problems with amalga- mation, as well as Coun. Brian Barnim, Mayor Jimm Ginn, MPP Lisa Thompson. Cindy Moyer of the Huron -Perth Landowners Associa- tion and Prof. Pamela Snow. Flair for fashion The Huron Perth office of the Canadian Cancer Society hosted a sold -out fashion show Oct. 17, with 80 local businesses offering prize donations and other sponsorships. The event raised $6,000 through ticket sales alone with proceeds going to the cancer society. Road budget Roads make up the lion's share of capital spending in Central Huron's 2014 budget. On Oct. 30 we reported that base coat paving projects in the municipality would have a com- bined total of $1.27 million. Mean- while, the municipality is still in the process of whittling down a poten- tial increase of more than 7 per cent. Meanwhile, Ontario Municipal Partnership Funding has been reduced by $105,000 while policing is going up $112,000. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER Going wireless Clinton Public School was one of five schools to receive iPads for Grade 7 and 8 students this year, along with Hullett Central, Huron Centennial, Mitchell and Seaforth. The plan was announced early in the school year and will be taking effect in the New Year. The program augments traditional textbook learning in the classroom. Cross-country The St. Anne's Eagles midget girls cross country team placed fourth in the province at the OFSAA cross- country meet in Sudbury Nov. 2. The girls were first place at both WOSSAA and Huron Perth. The jun- ior boys team placed second at WOSSAA and first in Huron Perth. Big biz Bee Cooke stole the show at the Business Community Excellence Awards this past November, when she received the lifetime achieve- ment award, as well as a standing ovation. Excalibur Insurance Group was named business of the year, while Dave Hanley was voted Citi- zen of the Year. What a dump Central Huron residents contrib- uted close to 30 per cent of all waste sent to the Mid -Huron Landfill Site in 2013. On Nov 6 we reported that from January to September, Clinton St. Joseph's Grade 8 student Bennett Ryan headed to the National Ballet School in Toronto this summer, to take part in an intensive program. Only one in 385 applicants are accepted to the program. threw out 927.7 tonnes of waste, compared to 557.5 tonnes in Goderich Township and 332.7 in Hullett. Grave marker While James Glen was laid to rest in the Clinton Cemetery in 1913, the grave of the sailor was not marked until this past November. Glen was one of hundreds who perished in the Great Storm of 1913. His body washed ashore in St. Joseph and he was transported to Clinton for bur- ial. He had a wedding ring and a let- ter in his pocket when he was found. Library number two Bluewater has been extremely active on the library front this year, completing the new Bayfield Public Library in early 2013 and beginning demolition work on the site of what will be a new Zurich Public Library late October/early November. The new library has a budget of about $1.04 million. Take a stand Central Huron decided to ask Huron County to stand alongside lower tier municipalities in pro- claiming they are not willing hosts to industrial wind turbines. While council recognized it would be more of a symbolic gesture, as there are many Renewable Energy Approvals already in place in Huron, the move would at least be a show of support for lower tier municipalities. In and out of school The Avon Maitland board was seeking input from local parents this November to help determine the level of before and after school programs to be offered in Clinton and other areas. While the program is focused on kindergartners, if there is enough interest from parents, it could be extended to 6-12 year olds. Climate protest A small demonstration of about ].5 people protested outside Huron - Bruce MP Ben Lobb's office in Goderich Nov 16 as part of a nation- wide protest calling for action on climate change. The Citizens' Cli- rnate Lobby held 130 demonstra- tions across Canada that day, call- ing for the government to create a climate change plan. Clean water Central Huron is eligible for $87,500 from the province for drink- ing rinking water supply risk management, and a further $15,000 should it pair up with neighbouring municipali- ties. Risk management is the next big step unrolling to municipalities under the Clean Water Act. Under the new program, more stress will be put on land use planning poli- cies and zoning around sensitive areas. The ABCA is taking on the role of risk management authority. Shoot'em up About 500 Clinton residents received their flu shots during the Clinton Family Health Team's four- day clinic in early November. This is up slightly from the year previous. Giving credit The United Communities Credit Union merged with Libro Financial Group this past November, resulting in the formation of the Libro Credit Union. The Clinton branch of the United Communities Credit Union was one of the largest, and is now part of 27 Libro branches across Ontario. On tour The Clinton Kinettes welcomed 200 people through the doors of their five -home Christmas Home Tour this year. It was the first year for the home tour, which paired local homeowners and businesses together to decorate for the holidays in style. Climbing Everest The Central Huron YMCA had an ambitious goal to scale Mount Ever- est during Peace Week in Novem- ber. The Y was hoping to have par- ticipants cover a total of 29,029 feet on the climbing wall at the facility, which they managed to achieve. Back to base Consultant Daryl Cully proposed the County of Huron establish an EMS base in Clinton and Seaforth, bringing the services closer to where most of their calls are occurring. The proposal went before County Coun- cil in November, and also called for the removal of two rapid response vehicles from the county fleet. Chewing the fat On Nov 27 we reported on Huron County's weight issues. Obesity rates in Huron County are at 16.4 per cent of the population, while 32.3 per cent of the population is overweight. The Huron County Health Unit continues to work on strategies aimed at getting people more active and eating healthier. Communities In Bloom this past year, and celebrated their success at council Dec. 2. This is Bluewater's fourth time entering the competi- tion, and they hope to repeat their success next year with their "Strive for 5 times two" campaign. Eighty laps Marg Makins celebrated her 80th birthday by swimming 80 lengths of the Vanastra pool this past Novem- Maitland Doney pulls cousin Tyler Ferguson during the fifth Touch the Truck event in Holmesville, which saw 1,300 visitors. Splitting the bill On Dec. 4 we reported that Huron Perth Landowners Association pres- ident Cindy Moyer and volunteers were finishing up with their petition to deamalgamate Goderich Town- ship. The association volunteers were aiming for 50 per cent plus one in favour of an independent Goderich Township, and are work- ing on a private member's bill to be delivered in Queen's Park by NDP MPP Michael Prue. REACH around On Dec. 11, we looked at the shortcomings REACH experienced in 2013. Lower than expected enrol- ment numbers, the cancellation of a Canada Day celebration and an unsuccessful Horse-a-Palooza event all contributed to a serious budget- ing concern for the facility. Central Huron Council has had a tough year coming to terms with the ailing REACH Centre in Clinton. Clinton resident Carol Dutot has been to council numerous times, expressing her concern for the climbing bills for the equine centre, and as an election platform for most coun- cilors, time is running out to make good on making REACH work. Bloom-bastic The Municipality of Bluewater received a five -bloom rating from ber. Makins raised $5,260 for her swim, which she split between the Clinton Public Hospital Foundation and the Vanastra Recreation Centre. New warden Joe Steffler is Huron County's new warden for 2014. Steffler, who is deputy -mayor for Huron East, defeated Howick Township Reeve Art Versteeg for the position Dec. 4. Icing call Bayfield arena ice users were back to Bluewater Council in December to pitch their ideas on how to keep the ice in the commu- nity. While council already voted in October to make this the last year for ice, representatives from all major and minor ice users as well as service clubs are pulling together to find a better alternative. Blue bin Christmas Central Huron learned this December that they are far from breaking even on their waste and recycling collection bins. The waste bin service costs taxpayers $55 per bin, though disposal costs are actu- ally more than $80. Bluewater Recy- cling Association has presented Central Huron with new recom- mended pricing for small, medium and large bins.