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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-06-25, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015. Several landowners from Huron County presented their concerns with the Goderich to Guelph (G2G) Rail Trail to Morris-Turnberry Council during its June 16 meeting and found some sympathetic ears among council. The group was comprised of farmers who stated, in a printed letter to council, that the presence of the trail could cause high insurance rates and the loss of earning potential. Morris-Turnberry did not initially welcome the group, which had been welcomed in Huron East, Central Huron, North Huron and Ashfield- Colborne-Wawanosh Township Council chambers as a delegation. The Morris-Turnberry decision was made because “proper bodies wouldn’t be in attendance” to answer the delegation’s questions. Administrator Clerk-Treasurer Nancy Michie also stated that many of the landowners asking to speak were from Central Huron and North Huron and Morris-Turnberry staff and council should not be addressing the problems of ratepayers from another municipality. Council debated the G2G rail trail and some of the group’s concerns and the prevalent theory was that Huron County Council should arrange a meeting so ratepayers could address county staff and G2G Inc., the group behind the trail. In the end, council agreed to let the group speak as if it were a delegation, and the aforementioned letter was handed out to council members. Council discussed the issue at length and many felt that G2G Inc., which is pushing the trail, was doing so for its own benefit and ignoring the concerns of those who live adjacent to the trail. “The biggest issue with the G2G trail committee is it hasn’t been transparent,” Councillor John Smuck said, despite the group’s statements to the contrary. “They haven’t done what the councils have asked of them and talked to the landowners. Everyone is wondering what the hell is going on. They aren’t providing answers. Every- thing is being railroaded through and no one outside of that group really knows what is going on.” Councillor Sharen Zinn agreed with Smuck’s assessment of the situation. “It’s like they’re hiding something,” she said. “They’re not coming forward with any information. I think we should go to [Huron County Council] and have these people come and speak to everyone.” When given the chance to speak, Margaret Vincent and Neil Mitchell echoed comments made at other council meetings about the dangers of the trail, the potential liability and the increased costs, including insurance, the group feels will come as a result of the trail. Mitchell said there has been no information shared with the landowners and said that the landowners didn’t have any right to speak at the previous public meetings held. Council stated that the county should be responsible for orchestrating a meeting, however several council members said if that doesn’t occur, they would like to see Morris-Turnberry take over that responsibility. Continued from page 2 tallied. Several area churches plant and harvest for this organization, which the governments approves and matches money 4:1. So the money that Bob initiated will be appreciated as many countries need part of our plenty. The Huron Alzheimer Society’s annual meeting was last week at the Betty Cardno Centre in Clinton. Lots of research is showing interesting things about many diseases, but it is not simple. At present, the best we can do is keep active, both mentally and physically, in the hope that disease will be held at bay. All the things you already know, but simple is hard to do – eat right, don’t smoke, keep active and be aware that sometimes, things just happen. So do your part, be understanding and support families. Canada Day is coming fast – get your red and white clothes out and have your flags ready. We live in a blessed place and at least yearly we need to stop and tell the world that we know just that. Atwood has a good celebration each year starting with a noon parade and lots of other ways to celebrate, so wave your flag at home or as part of a crowd, but celebrate our great country. By now, Betty G.W. Beard harvest raises thousands for Canadian Food Grains Bank Opponents of trail have their say Extreme concentration Hullett Central Public School students celebrated water on Friday afternoon with a special activity day. Here, Ashley Radford, front, had to travel as far as she could while pinning a water balloon between her legs. Looking on, from left, Sloan Bolinger, Greg Bell and Audrey Kreuger all saw that this task was much easier said than done. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Bye bye beard Bob Kellington had spent several months growing his beloved beard, not just for the fashion of it, but for a good cause: to raise money for the Canadian Food Grains Bank. At Brussels United Church on Sunday, it was time to pay up and his beard was shaved with the help of local hair stylist Janice Machan and Brook Beuermann. Kellington’s beard raised $1,400, which the government matches at a 4:1 ratio, plus a $500 profit from a recent church dinner, which makes a grand total of $9,500 going to the Canadian Food Grains Bank – Fields of Faith. (Vicky Bremner photo) PHOTO OF THE DAY Let us know what is happening in your area by emailing a picture for possible inclusion on our website’s “Picture of the Day”. Please include a small caption about the picture. Visit our website at northhuron.on.ca - maybe your picture will be the PHOTO OF THE DAY! Email submissions to: reporter@northhuron.on.ca Wants to Hear from You! The CitizenThe Citizen Wants to Hear from You! By Denny Scott The Citizen See histories and historic photographs on the Huron History section of our website www.northhuron.on.ca The Citizen