Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-04-28, Page 1INSIDE THIS WEEK: VACANCY - Pg. 8 County paramedic chosen to fill Central Huron seat CAR CARE - Pg. 13 Get your car ready for spring and summer AWARDS - Pg. 31 Local musicians, festivals honoured with nominations Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON NOG 1H0 4Citiz Volume 32 No. 17 n WELCOME TO BINT H $1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, April 28, 2016 Working together A few areas of high import in the spring, summer and fall in Brussels got some tender loving care on Monday night when citizens descended on the Brussels Optimist Ball Park and the Brussels Lions Pool to sweep, rake and pick up the final signs of last fall. Shown cleaning the leaves that Mother Nature stacked against the fence at the baseball diamond are, from left, Gord Finch, Jason Crawford and Murray Lowe. The community clean-up was hosted by the Brussels, Morris and Grey Recreation Board. Despite the damp weather, there was a good turnout. On hand Monday night were members of the recreation board, the Optimist Club, the Brussels Fall Fair Board, members of minor ball and soccer and other community members. Crawford, also known as The Lawn Barber, donated his trailer for the community project. (Dennyscottphoto) Huron East to cut at -large deputy -mayor By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen After fiercely debating for nearly an hour (and eventually defeating) a motion that would change the composition of Huron East Council, a second motion to change council's composition was raised from the floor and passed in a matter of minutes last week. Council approved a motion brought forward by Councillor Ray Chartrand that would eliminate the deputy -mayor position in an at -large capacity. Under Chartrand's proposal, council would consist of 10 councillors, two per ward, and a mayor elected at large. At the first meeting of the new term of council after the election, the motion read, a deputy -mayor would be chosen from within by council. At its April 19 meeting, council debated a recommendation from the municipality's administration committee stating that the size of council should be reduced to seven members — one councillor for each of the five wards, plus a mayor and deputy -mayor to be elected at large. The recommendation also included a number of other structural changes such as the elimination of the administration, personnel and water and sewer committees and the addition of a third monthly council meeting. The administration committee had long debated and crafted the recommendation, which came after the issue was sent to members by council. The purpose of the proposed change, said Chief Administrative Officer Brad Knight, was to cut costs. However, upon further investigation, the municipality wouldn't save very much at all on an annual basis due to the changes. The elimination of five councillor honorariums would result in the reduction of just over $20,000 from the annual budget. In terms of meetings, fewer councillors would be paid for each council meeting, resulting in a further savings of $17,000 and just under $5,000 in savings from costs associated with committee meetings that would be eliminated under the proposed format. However, adding a third council meeting would then add another $11,419 to the overall council budget, resulting in meetings savings of just under $10,000. So the total savings of eliminating five councillors, Knight said, on an annual basis would be approximately $30,000. He also pointed out that there may be additional savings associated with fewer councillors attending seminars and conferences, but with some councillors choosing to attend such events and others choosing not to, that exact number would be difficult to quantify. Under the new format, Huron East would go from the second -cheapest per -capita council to the cheapest, leapfrogging South Huron. However, its councillors -per -elector ratio would be 1,029:1, which would be worst in the county, compared to its current ratio of 600:1, which is sixth. In terms of cost per $1,000 of assessment, the change would result in a slight move from fifth place in the county up to fourth. Several councillors, however, spoke against the bylaw that would see local representation cut in half, citing a number of reasons for being against the drastic change. First was Dianne Diehl of the Grey Ward, who said she felt that Continued on page 28 North Huron finalizes budget By Denny Scott The Citizen North Huron Township Council has put the final touches on the township's budget, which will be returning to council for approval at its May 2 meeting. The budget, which has caused significant debate amongst councillors and feedback from ratepayers, started out with a 4.54 per cent increase in spending at the beginning of the council meeting but was eventually dropped to 4.21 per cent with the reduction of a donation to the Wingham Hospital Foundation for its major capital and renovation project. HOSPITAL DONATION Originally set at $65,000 per year over seven years for a total of $450,000, council decided to cut that donation nearly in half, reducing the donation to $50,000 per year over five years. Most council members spoke to the issue, including Reeve Neil Vincent who said his interactions with ratepayers led him to believe the $50,000 price point was a valid one. Councillor Bill Knott said his preference was to make the donation of $50,000 annually, but make it for six years. "Unfortunately, the hospital [represents a situation] where we disagree with how the province funds it, but that's life," he said. "It's a critical component of our community and a large boost to the community." Knott said his research indicated that more than 50,000 patient -staff relationships occur every year in the hospital and that, with numbers like that, he wanted to see North Huron give at least $300,000 to the project. Council didn't agree, however and kept the total amount at $250,000. Councillor Brock Vodden said he had heard from ratepayers both supporting and decrying a donation. "I've been against this donation," he said. "I think we are not a health unit and not health-related. We have more municipal infrastructure than we can handle now. I feel reluctant to accept a bill sent to us without consultation... I will not be voting in favour of this." Councillor Yolanda Ritesma- Teeninga said the same thing, adding that the hospital is a strong economic force that provides Continued on page 22