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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2013-12-11, Page 22 News Record • Wednesday, December 11, 2013 It's time to reach out to REACH Gerard Creces Clinton News -Record It's time to reach out to REACH. Concerned with the amount of money spent versus the money coming in to Central Huron for the equine facility, Clinton resident Carol Dutot was before council Dec. 3 with a long list of money lost. Since the centre became operational in 2009, Central Huron has contributed close to $2.5 mil- lion to operational costs. The years 2010-2012 alone made up for about $1.9 million of that, most of which was slated economic development. The figures are based on a treasury department report created for Dutot. Part of Dutot's argument for ceasing funding for the facility is REACH undercutting its own hourly rates for users, and giving breaks to groups that may not be able to afford the hall rental fees. "There are plenty of other facilities... that could accommodate these groups," she wrote in her presentation to council. "It is my opinion that (board president Larry) Langan needs to have a little more consideration for the taxpayers of Cen- tral Huron that are funding this place and charge renters according to the facility and services they are receiving." General Manager at REACH, Jeff Marshall, said the major discrepancy between budgeted revenue and actuals in 2013 was mainly due to the cancelled Canada Day celebration an event he said was eclipsed by the International Plowing Match. The make-up event, Horse-a-Palooza, was unsuccessful. Marketing and advertising expenditures were incredibly low for the REACH, in the first three quarters of 2013. While there was originally $30,000 in the mar- keting budget, only $7,200 was spent by the end of September. Part of this, Marshall explained, is because so many events in the REACH are run by outside organizations they do their own advertising. Most of the internal advertising the REACH Centre does is online through Facebook and Twit- ter, as well as through the electronic sign in down- town Clinton and on a sign out front the commu- nity complex. "When we do market, we do it around our sum- mer camps," Marshall said, adding that for outside events it is hard to justify the spending - that it would be like the arena advertising for minor hockey games. The equine community is relatively small and representatives from different disci- plines are already aware of what REACH has to offer. The challenge now, Marshall said, is reach- ing out to other groups that could use the centre, such as alpaca associations, trade and farm shows. However, the loss of events was not the only unexpected shortfall. Seaforth Merchants Have Sharpened Their Pencils Gifts For Everyone On Your List P.S. Use Your Smart Money For More Savings! we have the spirit 1 Lower than expected turnout for col- lege programs at the REACH centre have also had an effect on the budget. The Ridgetown performance horse - handling course initially had 41 stu- dents registered, however only 34 stu- dents are in the course. Fanshawe College, meanwhile, was originally hoping to have 100 students registered for school at the REACH campus. Marshall said the facility budg- eted for 40 students. Total enrolment was 25. Dutot reminded council that each of them said things need to change at REACH during the last election, how- ever, little has been done so far. Councilor Alex Westerhout said while he shared many of her concerns, there were some discrepancies in the figures she provided council between funds going to and from REACH and the municipality. Both Westerhout and Coun. Burkhard Metzger sit on the REACH board. Metzger said while ini- tially any business needs time to develop, it just hasn't happened yet. Mayor Jim Ginn expressed his own frustrations with REACH, saying while the students and visitors do create an economic impact in town, a different business plan is sorely needed. Bluewater noise limit proposal hits a sharp note Gerard Creces Clinton News -Record A proposal for a revamped bylaw aimed at reducing nighttime noise in Bluewater turned up the volume in council chambers Monday, Dec. 12. Councilors John Gillespie (Hay West) and Dave Roy (Stanley East) were brought forth the proposal, which was part of a report on their meeting with the Municipal Coalition on Noise Regu- lation in September. In asking that the current noise bylaw be reviewed, Gillespie noted there are no current regulations for cyclical noise or low frequency noise, adding the rural nighttime noise allowance is in the range of 20-25 decibels - half of what is permitted during the day. While munic- ipal bylaws cannot be in conflict with provincial laws such as the Green Energy Act, they are able to regulate them heavily. Once massive wind farms become a reality in the municipality, such as the coming Goshen Wind Farm in Bluewa- ter, it could be too late to act on noise regulation, Gillespie said. His proposed changes to the current noise bylaw in Bluewater include estab- lishing a quiet noise level at night, pro- hibit what the report calls "clearly audi- ble" noise in certain areas, as well as provide exemptions for certain industries, agriculture and events while removing the current exemptions. Rather, it would allow council to deal with all noise complaints on a case-by- case basis. While the proposed regulations were intended to be general in nature, many of the councilors understood it to be aimed directly at wind turbines. Depu- ty -Mayor Paul Klopp criticized the pro- posal, saying the removal of exemptions would create an open season on any and all industries in the municipality, as well as create additional workload for staff investigating them. Under Bluewater's current bylaw, most excessive residential noise is pro- hibited between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. That includes car horns, deliveries, audio devices and loudspeakers. The limit is 9 p.m. for tools and electrical or mechan- ical devices. For all construction equip- ment, there is an 8 p.m. noise cutoff. Coun. John Becker said the removal of exemptions to the bylaw would effec- tively drive business away from the municipality and prove to be too costly for businesses that need to retrofit noise reduction equipment. Council rejected the proposed bylaw change, however, Coun. Janisse Zim- merman noted that the municipality should continue dialogue with the Municipal Coalition on Noise Regula- tion and further look into the matter.