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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2016-07-28, Page 9Big Boys Toronto .ca 945)629 9366 www. F'R Boys Toronto .ca (945 62§ 9399 www. Big Boys Tr.. Not just for jets While the Wingham Jets eighth annual RC Jet Rally did feature a lot of jets over the weekend, there were plenty of other things to take in as well like the RC car park shown above. (Denny Scott photo) County -wide fire radio nixed Councillor Trevor Seip thinks decisions that affect the entire county need a little bit more time and consideration after finding out that a county -wide fire dispatch program was nixed in a single meeting. In a report to North Huron Council, Fire Department of North Huron Chief David Sparling explained that a committee, formed specifically to consider a county- wide fire radio and dispatch initiative, disbanded after a single meeting. Sparling chaired the committee, which was formed last year and considered options for a county- wide fire radio and dispatch service, however, other members of the committee felt their current services are sufficient. In his report, Sparling outlined that a unified dispatch provider would make inter -department communication easier, prevent fire calls from being routed to the wrong department and provide better opportunities for equipment and dispatch services efficiencies and savings. However, after one meeting, the committee decided to abandon the project, with Sparling citing that existing departments who have a "page out only" service were satisfied with that as full dispatch services cost more. The committee also stated that a county -wide program could incur significant equipment expenses. Sparling explained to council that a long-term county -wide dispatch service made sense and could eventually be implemented, however, for the time being, FDNH Raking and dealing Ty Sebastian of the Brussels Tigers was one of the team's stars in last weekend's tournament in the team's home town. He went yard several times over the weekend in addition to dominating batters with his pitching on the way to a Tigers tournament victory. (Denny Scott photo) would continue using the full dispatch service from Owen Sound it uses. Seip, however, didn't feel the committee members had done their due diligence on the matter if they came to a conclusion after a single meeting. "I have a problem with the fact that, after one meeting, that decision was made," he said. "With shared services being the key word of the day, how do you determine after one meeting that something isn't in the best interest of everybody? It doesn't seem like there was a lot of discussion before the status quo was decided" Sparling said he wasn't sure the ratepayers of North Huron or the county would be happy with the status quo if there was so little discussion about it. "I'm not suggesting [Sparling needs] to respond, I'm just saying, from what I'm reading, it doesn't seem right," he said. "I'm not involved in the meeting, but I do understand some of the points. However, to have one meeting and talk about it more, I think that's not very prudent and responsible in a sense of where those things could go. At the end of the day, it might not have gone anywhere, but one meeting is light." Sparling said he has been "waving the collaboration flag" as much as possible and he firmly believes that the best results for the ratepayers he represents will come from the various departments working together. That said, he can't force an agreement. "Everyone wins financially and by the level of service provided [with an arrangement like this]," he said. "All the fire chiefs face various dynamics and decision making, but, at the end of the day, I do understand" Sparling said he believes in the shared services model and that it's best for all the ratepayers, however he is just one fire chief representing one department. "For whatever reasons are out there, the others may not join in," he said. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016. PAGE 9. Councillors question deputy -mayor on controversial vote By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen A controversial decision at the Huron County level has lower -tier councillors wondering how much they should know and when they should know it. In light of the recent cancellation of the advanced -care paramedic (ACP) program in Huron County that has angered many, several Huron East councillors looked to their Huron County representatives for justification. Councillors Brenda Dalton and Kevin Wilbee, among others, said they had been approached by ratepayers in regards to the decision made by Huron County Council earlier this month. Both Huron East representatives, Mayor Bernie MacLellan and Deputy -Mayor Joe Steffler, voted in favour of discontinuing the program. In light of the decision, which has proven to be unpopular in some circles, councillors asked when they can expect to be updated on county issues. And if they are, and councillors are given the opportunity to provide feedback ahead of a decision being made, then what exactly is the role of a Huron County councillor? Councillor Nathan Marshall asked Steffler, who was chairing the meeting in MacLellan's absence, about his role at council's July 19 meeting, asking whether he votes how he sees fit, or if he votes as he feels Huron East Council and the residents of Huron East would want him to vote. Dalton was curious as well. She was asked by a ratepayer whether or not Huron East Council had any input into the ACP decision and if council didn't have any input, why not? Councillor John Lowe had a similar question. He said that on Huron East Council's bi-weekly meeting agenda is a section for Huron County Council reports, so there's no reason Huron East Council shouldn't be kept in the loop in regards to decisions that affect local ratepayers being made on the municipality's behalf. Steffler said that when a lower -tier councillor represents his municipality at the Huron County level, he puts his "county hat" on and makes decisions that stand to benefit the county above the lower tiers. He added that councillors at the county level are privy to information in both open and closed sessions that lower -tier councils aren't. He said that even someone like Chief Administrative Officer Brad Knight isn't aware of the closed -session figures that led to the paramedic decision, so Steffler said he wouldn't be able to discuss them in open session. While the ACP issue has proven to be an important issue that has many community members engaged, several councillors said that the discussion was less about the ACP program and about Huron East's representation at the Huron County level. Marshall asked Steffler if he votes as he wants to or how he feels council would want him to. Steffler responded by saying that at the Huron County Council table, councillors have to vote for county interests. Knight said that emergency services is a county -provided service, so it wouldn't necessarily be something that lower -tier councils would have input on. The conversation ended there, with councillors asking for more detailed reports on the goings-on of Huron County Council, especially when ratepayers come to them looking for answers as to why a decision was made at the county level. Godkin to run county to county Continued from page 1 souvenirs, such as shirts, jackets and cookbooks, are only permitted to be sold within the county until the conclusion of the preceding match. Once that match is done, the 2017 IPM committee will be free to market the match and share their merchandise far and wide says Marketing Co-ordinator Emily Morrison. The restrictions have not hurt cookbook sales, however, as the committee has sold over 2,000 of the books — a staggering number with the match still over a year away, says IPM Chair Jacquie Bishop. For more information on the IPM and its upcoming events, visit its website at plowingmatch.org. Get information on Huron County attractions on the Stops Along The Way section of our website www.northhuron.on.ca MEETING NOTICE Municipality of Morris-Turnberry The upcoming meetings for the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry will be held: Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. Regular Council Meeting Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. Planning Meeting