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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2015-04-16, Page 7THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015. PAGE 7. RR#1 39843 LONDESBORO RD., LONDESBOROUGH PHONE/FAX 519-523-9781 • HANGING BASKETS • ANNUALS •PERENNIALS • TREES • SHRUBS LOCATED 500 YARDS WEST OF LONDESBOROUGH ON CTY. RD. 15 Seminar at 10 am Create a Bird Cage Planter Call to register. $5000 fee includes all supplies Monday - Friday 8 am - 6 pm; Saturday 8 am - 5 pm 101.7 The One Live on Location Plus, refreshments, popcorn, BBQ, face painting & more! IT’S TIME FOR CUSTOM PLANTING! Just drop off your hanging baskets, pots and planters and let us do the rest! OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, MAY 2 9 A.M. - 5 P.M. Celebrating Our 25th Year In Business! We want to invite you... ...to a Party! ANNOUNCEMENT As of April 17, 2015 Chamney Auto Repair and Service will operate as a private garage. I will continue to serve the public by concentrating on the sales of used vehicles. I appreciate your business and look forward to continuing to serve you. Thank you Eldon Chamney Ombudsman deems CH meeting in compliance Central Huron has been found to be mostly compliant with its closed- to-the-public meeting procedures after the second Ontario Ombudsman investigation in three years. In a report entitled “Recording Unavailable” by Ombudsman André Marin, which was released earlier this month, Marin found that a closed-to-the-public session of Central Huron Council on Jan. 12, 2015 was a lawful meeting. The municipality, however, failed to record the closed session, which is in contravention of the municipality’s procedural bylaw. The process began two days after the Jan. 12 meeting, when the Ombudsman’s office received a complaint about the meeting. The complainant alleged that in the closed meeting council discussed the work of a former contractor in a professional, not personal capacity – this came after council went into closed session under the “personal matters” exception. The complainant also alleged that council went into the closed session without prior notice. However, Marin concluded, that the municipality’s procedural bylaw does allow for council to go into a closed session without prior notice. Marin’s report states that the conversation in question pertained to the municipality’s Recreation and Leisure Guide, a request for proposals for the new guide going forward and concerns regarding a previous contract for the production of the guide. The discussion began in open session, but then moved to closed session when discussion centred around an identifiable individual. Councillor Genny Smith declared a conflict of interest on the matter in open session and, once the meeting shifted into closed session, vacated her seat and left the council chambers for the duration of the discussion. While in closed session, the report concluded, councillors raised concerns about a former contractor, including questions about the person’s performance and credibility. Marin stated that he was satisfied that council went into closed session for the right reasons and operated lawfully once in closed session. “In the Central Huron case, council for the municipality discussed the work of a contractor, who was identified by name. Council members also commented on the individual’s performance and personal credibility,” Marin’s report stated. “I am satisfied that these discussions crossed into the realm of personal matters and that council’s reliance on the exception was justified.” In his report, Marin stated that the municipality failed to be transparent in its dealings when it didn’t record the closed-to-the-public meeting. “However, the municipality violated its procedure bylaw by failing to audio or video record its closed meeting. In so doing, the municipality lost an opportunity to demonstrate confidence that it is following the rules, and to inspire community trust in the transparency and accountability of local government,” the report stated. “It also resulted in my office having to conduct formal interviews of those present at the meeting, necessitating additional time and resources for both my office and the municipality.” He also referred back to his 2013 report on Central Huron Council, which found that council had held two illegal meetings in 2012. At the conclusion of Marin’s 2013 report, he made nine recommendations to council, one of which was the audio and video recording of closed sessions to increase transparency. In addition to once again recommending the recording of closed-to-the-public sessions, Marin also suggested that councillors remain vigilant when it comes to following the municipality’s By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Lions breakfast, Songfest coming up Next Sunday, April 19 could be a busy day for you in the village. The Londesborough Lions Club will be serving up their Olde Tyme Country Breakfast at the Community Hall from 8 to 11 a.m. Adults eat for $7 while children under 12 eat for $3. Then at 7 p.m. the Londesborough United Church invites you to its annual Songfest. The Firehouse Five, a group of local musicians who will be familiar to area residents are sure to entertain with music and patter. Seven-year-old Ava Dawe and parents, Heather and Steve, are The Honey Sweethearts and are pleased to be part of the evening. The Snell Family Singers will be returning to their home church and need no real introduction. This year organizer and choir director Barb Bosman has been rehearsing with the Londesborough Senior Choir to present some numbers. Two of those choir members, Mark and Laurel Mitchell are stepping out on their own as well to sing for the audience. Admission is $10 and refreshments will follow. Speaking of singing, the Blyth Festival Singers presented a wonderful concert on April 12 at the Blyth Memorial Hall, just the proper venue for “Songs of Wartime and Peace”. The Howling Dogs Jazz Band were a complementary addition to the afternoon’s program. A memory of his time in World War II by Tom Hennessy reminded all that we need to be ever so grateful for the men and women who fought for our freedom. The next UCW meeting is next Monday, April 20 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Women of the community are always welcome. Ever busy in the community, the Londesborough Lions Club will don their aprons again on Saturday, May 2 for their annual fish fry at the Community Hall. Tickets in advance are appreciated so contact any Lion member. Last Wednesday Dawn Smith, who is recreation director at Goderich Place, brought former village residents to the “coffee and conversation” hour at Londesborough United. Pleased to catch up with Londesborough folk were Helen Lee, Ruth Vincent and Harry and Gail Lear. Along to help out was Marie Krauter. Villagers are pleased to welcome Cody and Shalena to the village. They have moved into the house recently vacated by Jeff Ferguson. Jeff has moved closer to his work. Cody, son of Don and Kim Reid, is no stranger to the village having grown up here. No sooner were they moved in and a wee daughter arrived. Welcome to our village and congratulations. My recent mailing from the Alzheimer Society of Huron County included a notice of the showing of the film Still Alice. This is a true story of a woman and her struggle with early onset Alzheimer disease. The book is very moving and I am anxious to see the movie. It will be presented at the Park Theatre in Goderich on Saturday, April 25 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door. Huron County 4-H is holding an e- waste and clothing drive at Hensall District Co-operative on Saturday, April 18 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Clothing will be donated to the cerebral palsy aid program. By BRENDA RADFORD Call 523-4296 PEOPLE AROUND LONDESBORO What could it be? Londesborough correspondent Brenda Radford enjoys her visits with Bob Trick as they usually involve some sort of mystery item, like the one shown above that Trick says is sports related. Can you figure out what it is? Check this space in the April 23 issue of The Citizen for the answer. (Brenda Radford photo) Shearling Jackets Downtown Blyth 519-523-4740 Bainton’s Old Mill NEWS FROM LONDESBORO Continued on page 14