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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-05-05, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016. PAGE 9. Molenhuis first hire under shared services agreement Welcome Jeff Molenhuis, centre, was introduced to the communities of North Huron and Morris- Turnberry last week as the new Director of Public Works. Under the municipalities' new shared services agreement, Molenhuis is now the first joint employee hired by both municipalities. The announcement was made by North Huron Reeve Neil Vincent, left, and Morris-Turnberry Mayor Paul Gowing, right, at a special press conference held at the Wingham Fire Hall. (Shawn Loughlin photo) By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Jeff Molenhuis is the first official face of the North Huron/Morris- Turnberry shared services agreement. Hired as the municipalities' Director of Public Works, Molenhuis will begin employment for North Huron and Morris-Turnberry on May 16. North Huron Reeve Neil Vincent and Morris-Turnberry Mayor Paul Gowing jointly made the announcement last week at the Wingham Fire Hall. "We are so fortunate and pleased to have Jeff joining us to lead our public works department. Jeff's expertise and work experience bring a higher level of planning and management to the joint public works department for both Morris- Turnberry and North Huron," said Gowing. Vincent echoed Gowing's statements, saying it was a great day for the communities of both municipalities in terms of looking ahead to the future of the agreement. "It is with great pleasure that we welcome Jeff to the Morris- Turnberry and North Huron shared services team. We believe that Jeff possesses the knowledge, skill and experience necessary to lead our public works department in a progressive manner, with a focus on long-term planning and superior customer service," Vincent said. In an interview after the announcement, Molenhuis detailed his extensive background in the worlds of civil engineering and municipal services. A Stratford native, Molenhuis received his civil engineering degree from McMaster University in Hamilton before working for a handful of companies in Kitchener, London and Tillsonburg before making his way to Huron County. Molenhuis said that one of the first issues he hopes to tackle is a joint asset management plan for the municipalities. He said it will likely be a bit of a challenge, but also a good opportunity to establish a framework for both North Huron and Morris- Turnberry going forward. The asset management plan, Molenhuis said, will be a great opportunity to chart what the two municipalities have in terms of assets, how they have been managed and how that can be done in a more efficient manner. What's most important to Molenhuis is that he keep an open mind throughout his first few months in the job. He said he wants to look into the municipalities' assets further, but also get out on the streets and uncover the important issues through the eyes of existing public works staff from both North Huron and Morris-Tumberry. Through that process, he said, he will keep North Huron and Morris- Turnberry employees involved and create the opportunity for collaboration, setting a good tone for the work to come. Gowing, in an interview after the press conference, said it was Molenhuis's experience that put him head and shoulders above the rest and made him the perfect candidate for this newly -created position. "He's got the education, the knowledge and the work experience that makes [Molenhuis] a great asset for us," Gowing said. The hiring of Molenhuis, Gowing 'Are you being served?' asks Clark Continued from page 3 first step is to say I'm sorry then figure out what is wrong and fix it together. The children and the congregation repeated the prayer after Rev. Clark. The hymn "Make a Joyful Sound" was sung. Rev. Clark's message to the congregation was "Are You Being Served?" We are coming into the time in church life when fewer people come out to church, but church does continue during the summer along with summer caterings and a whole list of activities that go on in the church during the summer but not much time in worship. We need to kick it up and make it worthwhile to come to church in the summer. When people are passionate about things, sparks begin to fly. In Jesus' time, the same things were happening. Often we can find wisdom in reading the Bible. It shows us how to make good decisions and shows us how to get along. There always seems to be conflicts. We have to deal with conflicts, if we don't, they will fester and blow up and people get hurt. We have to find the conflict, deal with it, keep calm and together, and solve it. If you are wrong, own it and deal with it and be honest. Once we can admit we are wrong, we can come up with a solution. In the scripture that morning the elders saw an opportunity to help the widows. Everyone is part of the solution. God is also part of the healing and solutions. If these things Letter to the Editor OPG send congrats THE EDITOR, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) had the pleasure of sponsoring the 2016 Ontario Community Newspaper Association (OCNA) Better Newspaper Awards Gala, held on Friday, April 22 in Vaughan. I had the opportunity to attend and was thrilled to see you awarded for Best Community Website. It's amazing to see local papers be recognized for outstanding work and to see the support amongst the over 300 members of the OCNA. This award is proof of what OPG already knows: Community newspapers produce quality news! On behalf of OPG, I wish all of you at The Citizen continued success. Congratulations! Bretton Christensen Ontario Power Generation Corporation Relations Officer. happen, the church will continue to grow. We have choices: we can stew, blow or keep calm and solve the conflict. The next hymn "Faith of Our Fathers" was sung. The offering was received followed by the offertory response "Grant Us God," the offertory prayers, the prayers for the people and the singing of the Lord's Prayer. The last hymn "I, the Lord of Sea and Sky" was sung followed by the benediction and the singing of "Go Now In Peace" BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED r r Central Huron FACADE GRANT PROGRAM The Municipality of Central Huron is pleased to announce their annual Central Huron Facade Grant Program. The Program includes facade improvements for properties in Central Huron that are assessed as Commercial for taxation purposes. The Municipality has set aside funds to assist property owners in the expansion or improvement of the building facade or signage. The proposed facade improvement must meet the specific property criteria outlined in the "Facade Improvement Concept" and enhance the "cosmetic" appeal of the structure from a streetscape viewpoint. Deadline Applications must be received by the undersigned by 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 20, 2016. Questions or comments may be directed to the Municipal office at 519-482-3997. "Central Huron Facade Grant Program" Attention: Brenda Maclsaac, Clerk Municipality of Central Huron P.O. Box 400, 23 Albert Street Clinton, Ontario NOM 1 L0 info@centralhuron.com Fax: (519) 482-9183 The Municipality reserves the right to fund projects as deemed appropriate. www.centralhuron.com said, has just been another of many steps in the right direction that North Huron and Morris-Turnberry have been taking together. This has been evidenced by a number of municipalities, organizations and the Province of Ontario taking notice of what's happening with the two neighbouring municipalities. Gowing and Vincent recently spoke to the shared services agreement at an Associated Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) session, detailing the savings such an arrangement could bring about in times of economic challenges. A lot of people are watching closely what's happening with North Huron and Morris-Turnberry, Gowing said, both positively and negatively, so it's crucial that all the right moves are made. With the hiring of Molenhuis, Gowing said, it's certainly a step in the right direction. Vincent echoed Gowing's enthusiasm in an interview, saying he was "overjoyed" to be able to bring the day's announcement to the people of North Huron and Morris- Turnberry. "He has all the things we wanted in a director [of public works]," Vincent said. He added that Molenhuis's background in site supervision, as well as the technical aspects of the job, such as engineering and the associated paperwork, were what made Molenhuis the successful candidate for the job. Molenhuis will begin employment with North Huron and Morris- Turnberry under its new shared services agreement on Monday, May 16. Shampoo & Set 1400 + tax SHEAR TALENT Hair Design & Tanning 45 West St., Goderich 519-524-6555 ONTARIO - SPCA HURON COUNTY ANIMAL CENTRE Pet of the Week! H , my name is Dice! I am 3 years old. I am very affectionate and my favourite activity is to cuddle on your lap for chin scratches and head rubs! I am easy going and I don't mind kids, dogs or other cats. Adopt me today and let's play together! Dice is a purple Secret Admirer in the Meet Your Match® Program. Visit meetyourmatch.ontariospca.ca to find the purr-fect colour match for you! 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