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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-06-23, Page 25THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016. PAGE 25. Seili organises Brussels meeting with MacLellan Continued from page 1 assembled that both councillors did know about the meeting. Jeff Miller, owner of the Jam Jar Pub and Eatery recounted his personal issues with the municipality, mainly connected to his desire to construct a patio on the municipal land next to his restaurant. He expressed frustration about being told by MacLellan that he owed $600, but then receiving a bill for over $900. MacLellan agreed with Miller that a mistake had been made that was due to a miscommunication before correspondence was sent to Miller. MacLellan told Miller staff had "stabbed [him] in the back" and sent Miller something other than what had been discussed. The situation has since been rectified, however, MacLellan said, as council decided to charge Miller the original stated amount. Miller also had a number of other bones to pick, including the state of another block on main street near his business that is in such disrepair, he said, that it attracts raccoons and skunks. He told MacLellan that he's made numerous calls about the situation, but never gets anywhere, whether it's with Huron East staff, the Public Works Department or the bylaw enforcement officer. Other residents also raised property standards concerns with several homes throughout the village, lamenting that Seaforth doesn't have the same problems. If Brussels were given the same attention and held to the same standards as Seaforth, residents said, things would be better throughout the village. One business owner said the village could be improved if there were heritage regulations for Brussels similar to those in Seaforth. She said there is no uniformity and no standards in Brussels like there are in Seaforth, pointing specifically to the fact that Brussels' main street features a pink and yellow building. Other residents also made note of the broken windows along the main street. As for recreation, residents had a number of complaints in regards to the state of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre, whether it be structural issues that have gone unchecked for years, the general cleanliness of the building or the diminutive size of the change rooms. One resident, a member of the Brussels Lions Club, said there is a leak in the upper portion of the arena that has gone unrepaired for years. It has resulted in further damage. Another resident said that the arena is full of examples of neglect that have become the talk of the village. Residents are well aware of them, but when it comes to arena staff or municipal employees, perhaps they've just become oblivious to them, he said. MacLellan when asked if he and council ever tour wards or facilities to look for problems like the ones being listed, MacLellan said the answer, really, is no. While council does tour facilities from time to time, the tours are arranged by staff and highlight locations staff wishes to highlight, he said. Ten Pas highlighted one of the grassroots aspects of council when he was a member. Cal Krauter, former Brussels Reeve, would occasionally instruct council to leave chambers during a meeting and simply walk around the village. The goal was to get a feel for the village, speak to people and understand the issues on the streets, which is perhaps an approach Huron East Council should consider, he said. Business owner Kathy Nichol said that throughout Huron County's recent economic development "train the trainer" process, it was outlined that healthy recreation is very important to families when considering to move to a community. Brussels is lucky, she said, for a community of its size to have as many recreation options as it does. MacLellan did say that all arenas and recreation programs are struggling right now and it's simply due to a shift in demographics. BCH (Brucefield, Clinton, Hensall) hockey is one of the healthiest minor hockey programs in the province, he said, and it's still struggling with attracting enough people to hockey to justify the costs. MacLellan also acknowledged that the Brussels arena's dressing rooms are "atrocious" and many in attendance agreed. There was some pushback, however, from people who said that Brussels comfortably ran a Junior C team out of those change rooms for years without complaint — saying that perhaps it was standards and expectations that had changed, rather than the quality of the rooms. Seili said that many of the problems at the arena go back to general upkeep and cleanliness, calling it the "filthiest arena in Ontario". Another resident echoed Seili's sentiments, adding that while there may be issues at the arena, it's the councillors who should be held responsible. "It's a joke and that's on you guys," he said to MacLellan. And while there was a great deal of hostility directed towards staff members in regards to public works concerns and issues at the community centre, one resident said that the community isn't after anyone's job, they just want accountability for what's happening. Nichol said that perhaps one way to improve life at the arena is to focus on creating programming and generating revenue, rather than focusing on all that's wrong with the building. Again, the comparison was made to Seaforth, with residents saying that the Seaforth Community Centre is held to a different, higher standard than the Brussels arena. MacLellan disagreed, however, saying he has heard many of the same complaints about the Seaforth arena, so the concerns of Brussels residents are not unique. Seili suggested that a group of Brussels residents band together and speak to council at an upcoming meeting. If the residents show they're committed enough to show up to a meeting and that they plan on fundraising to help fix the arena, council will have to take notice, he said. Kevin Deitner, who has already expressed his concern over council's comments regarding potentially closing an arena or removing its ice for a season, urged MacLellan not to "jump to that conclusion". Even one season without ice, he said, would cause irrepairable damage to the arena and would harm usage going forward. MacLellan insisted that while council is very concerned about all of the municipality's recreation centres, council isn't yet at a place where those drastic measures would be an option. In regards to outdoor recreation, Deitner, a member of the Brussels Optimists, said that council needs to ensure that the municipality doesn't rely too heavily on service clubs. He said that often the Optimist Ball Park and the Lions Pool are left to the service clubs to maintain over the course of a year. And while the service clubs are happy to help where they can, the attractions are on municipal land and Huron East can't take the service clubs, or the work they do in the community, for granted. Those in attendance thanked MacLellan for meeting with them and thanked Seili for organizing the get-together. MacLellan told residents he would follow up on all their concerns and look to hold a follow-up meeting in the next four to six weeks. Body art The second annual Belgrave Summer Festival once again featured the work of The Painted Cat face and body art company. Shown is Angela Green drawing an intricate flower design on Emily MacDonald's leg. (Denny Scott photo) Obituaries LORNA McSPADDEN Lorna McSpadden passed away peacefully at the Seaforth Manor Nursing Home on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015. She was in her 87th year. Lorna was predeceased by her three husbands, Earl Whiteford, Alfred Hayter and Earl McSpadden. Lorna is survived by her son Douglas Whiteford (Carol), Lucan, their two sons, her brother-in-law Leslie McSpadden (Linda Ressler), Fort Erie and by many nieces and nephews. Lorna was also predeceased by her parents Ross and Bertha (nee Cooper) Carpenter and her siblings, Dorothy, Clayton and Fern. At Lorna's request cremation has taken place and a graveside memorial service will take place at Maitlandbank Cemetery on Friday, June 24 at 11:30 a.m. A luncheon will follow at First Presbyterian Church in Seaforth. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to McGlynn Family Funeral Home, Seaforth. Memorial donations to First Presbyterian Church, Seaforth or the Seaforth Community Hospital Foundation are appreciated and can be made through McGlynn Family Funeral Home or by visiting Lorna's online memorial at www.mcglynnfamilyfuneral home.com AUDREY J. CURRIE Audrey J. Currie passed away peacefully at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital, Goderich. Forever young, Audrey was in her 83rd year. Audrey was the beloved wife, partner, and companion for 62 years to James A. (Jim) Currie, Goderich and formerly of Wingham. She is survived by daughter R. Ansley Currie and Robert (Bob) Widmann, Warkworth; sons J. Kemp Currie and Linda Ogren, Campbell River, British Columbia and J. Laird Currie, Wingham and granddaughters Madison and Angela Currie, Wingham. Audrey is also survived by her sister Donna and brother-in-law Dr. James S. Hall Sr., Goderich, formerly of Wingham and Port Colborne, and sister-in-law Marion Middlebrooke, Orangeville. Audrey was predeceased by her parents James A. (Jim) Henry and Ethel (Johnson) Henry and brother Harold Henry. Audrey had been a resident at Maitland Manor Nursing Home, Goderich, where she lived contently among many new acquaintances and friendly caring staff. Audrey was a self -motivated and productive business entrepreneur and manager. She was grounded in self -acquired skills when she left school, and began training as a secretary in London, and held a secretarial job in Wingham when she married Jim. In time and together, Audrey and Jim evolved The Waxworks Boutique, a dynamically patronized gift shop. Then, after her first retirement to "housewife's boredom", took a job with the Wingham Advance Times selling advertising. In short order she became sales manager, held through changes in ownership. Her loyalty and productivity led her to the position of publication manager, a position she held until she retired to join Jim to seek the beauty and vistas that awaits any who make an effort. They soon learned and found the comfort and pleasure of the adage "Enjoying the Moment" with shared humour and wonderment at the bigger picture. Visitation was held at McBurney Funeral Home, Wingham on Thursday, June 16. The funeral service was held at the funeral home chapel on Friday, June 17 with visitation one hour prior. Fran Donahue officiated. Memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society of Ontario or the Wingham and District Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. Online condolences may be left at www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com MILDRED EVA (BAILLIE) KOCH Mrs. Mildred Eva (Baillie) Koch, formerly of Gowanstown, passed away at Fordwich Village Nursing Home on Saturday, June 18, 2016. She was in her 71st year. Millie was the dear wife of Ross Koch, mother of Lorne and Marian Koch, Clinton; Doug and Erica Koch, Brussels and Darlene and Ray Dickieson, RR 3, Palmerston. She was the grandmother of Andrew, Bonnie, Cameron, Madison and Caleb. Millie was the sister of Dorothy Rose, Mitchell; Clayton and Jean Baillie, Newton; Murray and Lois Baillie, Milverton; Linda and Stephen Westman, Brunner and Keith Baillie, London and sister-in- law of Lois Baillie, Seaforth. She was predeceased by her brother Edwin `Charlie' Baillie, sister Lorraine Storey and brother-in-law Carl Rose. Visitation was held at the Eaton Funeral Home, Listowel on Tuesday where the funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 22 at 1:30 p.m. Interment is in Fairview Cemetery, Listowel. Memorial donations to Fordwich Village Nursing Home or Listowel Memorial Hospital would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.eatonfuneralhome.ca MifiemweTed Do you have fond memories that you'd like to share of someone whose obituary has been published recently in The Citizen. Send us a few lines or paragraphs with your story. E-mail editor@northhuron.on.ca, Fax 519-523-9140 or mail to: The Citizen, P.O. Box 429, Blyth, NOM 1H0 or P.O. Box 152, Brussels, NOG 1H0. There is no charge for comments we choose to publish. A cemetery is a history of people, a perpetual record of yesterday and a sanctuary of peace and quiet today. A cemetery exists because every life is worth loving and remembering - always Distinctive Memorials of L Lasting Satisfaction North St. West, Wingham Me & Donna Anderson 519-357-1910