Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-03-26, Page 23THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015. PAGE 23. The March meeting of the Melville Guild and WMS was held in the church parlour on Tuesday, March 17 with seven members present. Alice Marks opened the meeting with a poem, “Irish Prayer” and the WMS Purpose was read in unison, followed by the singing of “My Wild Irish Rose” and “When Irish Eyes are Smiling”. The scripture, Matthew 15: 1-15 was read in unison. Mary Douma led in prayer and gave the topic “Forget the Legend, this is what the man was really like,” the story of the life of St. Patrick. Alice Marks read a story about the shamrock, the meaning of the shamrock, the legend and the symbol. Everyone joined in the singing of “That’s An Irish Lullaby” and “An Old Cradle Song”. Each member read an “Irish Blessing” and the mizpah benediction was repeated in unison. Alice Marks and Mary Douma presided over the business. The minutes of the February meeting were read and it was moved by Alice Marks, seconded by Elaine Armstrong that the minutes be approved as read. The correspondence included an invitation to Camp Kintail, Thursday, July 2, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to attend “Cake by the Lake”. It was decided to hold Mission Awareness Sunday on Sunday, May 24. Everyone was reminded that family pictures will be taken on April 17-18. The WMS treasurer’s report was given by Leona Armstrong and the Guild treasurer’s report was given by Alice Marks. After a discussion about the new carpet in the basement Leona Armstrong made a motion that the Guild pay for the carpet for the stage, seconded by Dona Knight. The Guild will provide lunch for Tuesday, March 31 of Holy Week. The roll call was answered with everyone telling what they did to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The next Guild meeting will be on May 5 with Dona Knight and Linda Garland in charge of devotions. It was moved by Linda Garland to adjourn the meeting and a lovely lunch was served by Alice Marks and Mary Douma. One Huron East businessman is looking to expand, but councillors aren’t sure that his plans are what’s best for the municipality’s ratepayers. Don Brown, of the Seaforth-based Brown Sanitation, is looking to expand his business beyond Seaforth, Egmondville and some of Tuckersmith and into the communities of Brussels and Vanastra. He told council how eager he is to take on more responsibility, but Mayor Bernie MacLellan told him it’s about getting the best deal for the taxpayers when it comes to the municipal budget’s bottom line. The process began earlier this year, when Councillor Nathan Marshall told council that Brown had approached him about potential expansion, saying he wanted to speak to council. Currently, Chief Administrative Officer Brad Knight said at council’s March 17 meeting, garbage is collected in Brussels by Waste Management at the cost of $2.50 per municipal bagtag. Waste Management also collects recycling in Brussels on a bi-weekly basis. In a report dated Feb. 19, Knight advised council to consider a number of factors before making a decision on Brown’s impending request, including cost savings due to waste and recycling co-collection and Brown’s possible inability to meet current service level demands. Knight told council that Brown is currently unable to provide recycling services, which means another company would then have to come through the village every two weeks to collect recycling. There has also been talk in the past, Knight said, about Brussels moving to the wheelie bin system that has been brought in with success in neighbouring Morris-Turnberry and Central Huron. In his March 17 presentation to council, Brown said his track record in the community has been great. He said that he provides a personal touch with his services that Huron East residents won’t get with some of the bigger companies, saying that he has been known to clean up after spilled garbage, knocked over bins and broken bags. He also said he has been known to make extra trips when residents have missed their collection day or collect from the doors of elderly residents who find it difficult to get their trash down to the curb. Brown’s bagtags cost $3.25 each for a bag of up to 40 pounds of waste, he said. They are sold at a number of local businesses in the Seaforth area. He said that he has seen the efforts of Economic Development Officer Jan Hawley to bring new businesses to the municipality, but supporting a business like Brown’s would be the very definition of economic development. Brown told councillors that he’s a “one-man show” trying to make a business work in the community in which he lives. If council was serious about supporting local businesses, he said, it would help him to expand and thrive. Mayor Bernie MacLellan said that at no time was council discussing terminating a contract with Brown for his services and by all accounts, the work Brown is doing has been well received, MacLellan said. If the topic of expansion was on the table, however, MacLellan said, Huron East Council is obligated to do what’s best for its residents, and if co-collection from Waste Management means lower costs in Brussels, it’s only fair to those residents. Brussels Ward Councillor David Blaney suggested that while Brown has the ambition and enthusiasm to expand, perhaps more research would also be a good idea. Blaney suggested that Brown further explore the communities into which he hopes to expand – tour them and get an idea of what it would cost for him to service these areas on a weekly basis – and return to council with a proposal. That way, Blaney said, councillors can have some figures in front of them and they can make an informed decision and compare “apples to apples” as Blaney said. Council took no official stance, but now awaits Brown’s plan. Guild, WMS meets Seaforth company wants Brussels waste A generous bunch Last week the Brussels Leo Club continued to spread the wealth throughout the Brussels community when President Sean Mitchell, right, was at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre to present its recreation manager Abi Corbett, left, with a cheque for $600 for the centre. The club has specified that the money should go towards improvements needed at the arena, specifically with its change rooms. (Photo submitted) Brussels 519-887-9114 Blyth 519-523-4792 Check out these and other great books at... The Citizen Books for Easter WHAT’S ON MY FARM This picture book for ages 2-5 helps introduce kids from farm and city alike to the world of farming including the animals, food produced, machinery and people – from farmers to veterinarians. 160 pages, small 5 1/4 by 5 1/4-inch format. $9.95 CHICKEN COOPS Whether you’re looking for a project for the kids for the summer or want to grow more of your own food, this book provides plenty of ideas for housing chickens. 45 building plans for everything from a backyard coop to pastured flocks. $24.95 CHICK DAYS Raising Chickens from Hatchlings to Laying Hens Here’s “an absolute beginners guide” for all the steps from keeping new chicks warm to collecting eggs. Information on different breeds, housing, feed and stages of growth. $18.95 EGGS & POULTRY MADE AT HOME Tips on choosing and breeding chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, house small flocks, hatch chicks, gather and use the eggs and process the adult birds plus recipes on how to make the most of the eggs and meat. $19.95 HATCHING AND BROODING YOUR OWN CHICKS Hatching your own chicks is almost a lost art but it’s a fascinating and fruitful practice. This book offers more than 200 pages of instructions on hatching chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and guinea fowl. $29.95 MY FIRST BOOK OF ANIMALS Introduce babies and toddlers to animals with this array of eye-catching photographs. The pull-out style enables you to fold the pages out across the floor for easy viewing and interaction. $6.99 MINI ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHICKEN BREEDS AND CARE Learn more about dozens of breeds of chickens in this colour directory of popular breeds. Explore all aspects of keeping chickens from housing, feeding and breeding to chicken behaviour, and animal health. $19.95 OLD MACDONALD HAD HER FARM A funny and different take on the old song for young children, illustrated with bright, intriguing drawings of a very busy farmer at work on her farm. $9.95 By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen