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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-08-18, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2016. MacLellan disappointed in some councillors' comments At last week's meeting, Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan expressed his disappointment over comments made about him by councillors in his absence. At council's July 19 meeting, several councillors had something to say about MacLellan, who had, the night before, attended a South Huron Council meeting to discuss potentially including the municipality in ongoing shared services discussions involving Huron East, Central Huron and Bluewater. Several councillors felt MacLellan was acting on behalf of personal interests, rather than those of council or of the municipality and spoke out against his actions. MacLellan, however, wasn't present to defend himself, as he was absent for the meeting, which was being chaired by Deputy -Mayor Joe Steffler. MacLellan did concede that it likely would have been prudent to have informed his fellow Huron East councillors that he intended to speak to South Huron Council about the proposal, but he was disappointed in some of the conclusions he felt councillors jumped to based on comments he had made in the local media. "I, unfortunately, was not surprised to read in the minutes or in the paper the comments from the last council meeting that I was unable to attend. There seems to be four or five councillors who appear determined to kill or find fault with any idea that would cause council to examine any aspect of how the municipality operates," MacLellan read from a prepared statement. "There has been pushback from staff right from the original suggestion of shared services, and there are council members that do not want to discuss suggestions that there may be a better way to do things other than what we are doing now." Several councillors took offense to these comments, saying that they are clearly in favour of saving the municipality money, they just disagreed with the proposal on the table — specifically attempting to fit the North Huron/Morris-Turnberry shared services model to the aforementioned four municipalities, which, if services were shared, represent an area that would stretch from the northern tip of the county to the southern. MacLellan told councillors that he was not trying to represent councillors behind their backs, but rather extend an invitation to a neighbour that had asked to be involved. "The South Huron meeting was an open invitation to one of our neighbours to sit down and discuss if there are any opportunities to save tax dollars through operations," he said. Furthermore, MacLellan suggested that councillors had been endeavouring to poke holes in his money -saving suggestion, rather than offering their own solutions to a growing and inescapable problem. "A ratepayer from Huron East stated to me, after reading the article in the paper, that is appears we have a dysfunctional council. I know that some staff, and maybe some of the council members, are already aware of concerns that provincial cuts will carry on for at least another three years," he said. "If this council isn't going to work together and try and find significant savings, property taxes will soon exceed people's ability to pay. It is easier to cut up Obituaries someone else's suggestion than to come up with one of your own. I am open to new ideas, but I haven't heard any yet from this council on how to significantly reduce our costs." MacLellan singled out Councillors Alvin McLellan and Dianne Diehl from the Grey Ward, neither of whom attended the shared services joint council meeting in Clinton. He said that the councillors "didn't even bother" to attend the meeting, but then criticized his efforts to find cost-saving solutions with neighbouring municipalities. Both McLellan and Diehl defended themselves, saying that they had other plans that night and, furthermore, didn't have to explain their whereabouts to him. There was no further comment and the minutes from the previous meeting of council were approved. and her brother Keith. Audrey is survived by seven children, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandson, sisters Pat Hunking, Muriel Hartlin and Karen Moy and brother Jim. MARGARET BENNETT Margaret Elizabeth (Bell) Bennett of Brussels, passed away at Seaforth Community Hospital on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. Born in Brussels on July 31, 1926, Marg was in her 91st year. Marg was the beloved wife for 55 years to Ross and will be sadly missed by her children Nanci and Greg Ducharme, Brussels and Peter and LuAnn Bennett, Collingwood. Marg was the loving grandmother of Evan, Danielle, Emilee, Amanda and James and Tyler. She was also loved by her seven nieces and their spouses and families. Marg was predeceased by her parents William Harris Bell and Laura May Wheeler, her brother Harris Bell and his wife Lois and her sister-in-law Marie Coutts and her husband Bill. Cremation has taken place. The family received friends on Saturday at the Schimanski Family Funeral Home, Brussels where Marg's life was celebrated on Sunday, Aug. 14. Pastor Sandra Cable officiated. Remembrances of Marg were given by Connie Cook on behalf of the Coutts girls; Susan Miller on behalf of the Bell girls and by David Dunbar on behalf of the Dunbar family. A Royal Canadian Legion Memorial Service was conducted on Saturday evening at the funeral home under the auspices of Brussels Legion No. 218. Interment of cremated remains took place at Brussels Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to Brussels United Church or to the Brussels Legion Building Fund would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be left at www. schimanskifamilyfuneral home.com PHILIP BLAKE Philip Blake of Waterloo, passed away after a brief illness on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016 at Stratford General Hospital. Born in Brussels on Feb. 18, 1954, Philip was in his 63rd year. Philip was the beloved husband of Dianne (Fraser) and the loving son of Marie Blake. He was the dear brother of Gerald and Bonnie Blake, Anne and Ken Williamson, Jim and Evelyn Blake, Murray and Sharon Blake, Joyce and Tom Williamson, Bruce and Michelle Blake and Julie and Steve Wharton. Philip was the dear brother-in-law of Clara Blake, Carolyn and Gerry Sullivan, Clayton and Beverly Fraser and Cheryl and Glenn Mader. He was also loved by his mother-in-law Marjory Fraser and his many nieces and nephews. Philip was predeceased by his father George Blake, his brother Bob Blake, his father-in-law Doug Fraser and nephews John and Bob Williamson. Cremation has taken place. A Mass of Christian Burial took place at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Brussels, on Saturday, Aug. 13, celebrated by Rev. Father Keith Morrison. A remembrance of Phil was given by his friend Rob Kerr. Interment of cremated remains followed in St. Ambrose Cemetery, Brussels. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee Ontario or the charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be left at www. schimanskifamilyfuneral home.com AUDREY SCHREIBER Audrey Schreiber, wife of the late Bill Schreiber, passed away on July 16, 2016 at Milton General Hospital. She was 86. Audrey was predeceased by her parents, Earl and Sarah Anderson, CHRISTENA MARGARET (ARMSTRONG) EMPEY Mrs. Christena (Tena) Empey passed away peacefully at Goderich Place, Goderich on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. She was in her 92nd year. Tena was the beloved wife of the late William Empey (1980) and loving mother of Bill Empey and Ken and Brenda Empey, all of Auburn; Marie and Ted Sandvall, Stoney Creek and Barb Empey, Nanaimo, British Columbia. She was the cherished grandmother of Craig and Shannon Empey, Stephen and Alicia Empey, Theo Sandvall and Kristen Sandvall. Tena was also loved and missed by great- grandchildren Logan and Blake. She is survived by her sister-in-law Isabel Armstrong, Wingham. Tena was predeceased by two brothers Elmer and John. Friends will be received at the Auburn Memorial Hall on Thursday, Aug. 18 from 1 p.m. until time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. Rev. Terry Fletcher will officiate. Interment is in Ball's Cemetery, Hullett Twp. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to Knox United Church, Auburn, Auburn Lions Club or the charity of one's choice would be greatly appreciated. Messages of condolence for the Empey family may be placed at www.falconerfuneralhomes.com FRANK JOHN KONARSKI Franciszek "Frank" John Konarski of RR 1, Blyth passed away at Clinton Public Hospital on Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. He was in his 99th year. Frank was the beloved husband for 70 years to Kazimiera "Kay" Konarski and loving father of Richard and Brenda Konarski, RR 1, Blyth; Irene and Jim Maguire, Markham; Betty and Derek Divok, St. Catharines and Teresa and Mike Brenner, Grand Bend. He was the cherished grandfather of Jason, Jenny, Brendan, Caitlin, Nicole and Jordyn. Frank was predeceased by his granddaughter Angie. Funeral Liturgy was held at the Falconer Funeral Homes, Clinton Chapel on Tuesday, Aug. 16 with visitation one hour prior. Rev. Father Gary Ducharme officiated. Interment was in Clinton Cemetery. A memorial Mass card may be placed at the funeral home for the repose of Frank's soul or a donation to the charity of one's choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. Condolences for the family may be placed through www.falconer funeralhomes.com DORIS SIMPSON Doris (Bowers) Simpson of Walton, passed away at Clinton Public Hospital on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. Born in Goderich on Aug. 13, 1948, Doris was in her 69th year. Doris was the beloved wife for 46 years to the late Bob Simpson (Sept. 10, 2010) and will be sadly missed by her daughter Tamara and Gerry Moore and her family Alex and Samantha; son Timothy John and Ellen Simpson and family Cassey and Murray, Cody, Rebecca, Rachael, Sandra, Belinda and Jaimie, Malike, Savanna and Adric; daughter Ann Marie and Ed Purves and family Chris and Curtis; daughter Lana Mae Vanderwall and family Wade, Nicholas and Tateanna; son Steven and Roxanne Simpson and family Mason and Ashley; and daughter Loreena Simpson and family Robin and Crystal. Friends and family are welcome to join in a Celebration of Doris's life on Sunday, Aug. 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Walton Hall, where they can have a drink and a dance. Online condolences may be left at www. schimanskifamilyfuneral home.com OLGA SPEIRAN Olga (Stewart) Speiran of RR 3, Brussels, passed away at Huronlea Home for the Aged on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. Born in Howick Township on Dec. 2, 1926, Olga was in her 90th year. Olga was the beloved wife of the late Elston Speiran (Aug. 6, 2008). She was the dear mother of Brad and Gayle Speiran, RR 3, Brussels, the loving grandmother of Sara Speiran, Listowel; Jill and Matt Dann, RR 1, Palmerston; Jeff Speiran and his friend Lieke Kuijpers, RR 3, Brussels and great- grandmother of Grayson, Hudson and Jayden. Olga was predeceased by her brothers Harris and Clifford and her sister Greta. Friends were received by the family one hour prior to the funeral service that was conducted at the Schimanski Family Funeral Home, Brussels on Wednesday, Aug. 17. Pastor Sandra Cable officiated. Burial followed in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Ethel. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society of Huron County would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be left at www. schimanskifamilyfuneral home.com BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED