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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-01-03, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2013.Thompson opens Blyth office, Hudak visits in 2012 Debate continues over fire agreement Blyth-based architect John Rutledge presented his formal plans for the Brussels Library to Huron East Council at its Dec. 20, 2011 meeting, and then to the public at the village’s New Year’s Day Levee. Rutledge told council at the meeting that he was happy to be making the presentation before the Christmas break. His estimates for the library had a range of approximately $300,000 depending on several variables. Central Huron Council’s new plan for waste collection in the municipality needed just council’s approval to go forward. For 20 years Central Huron had steered clear of providing waste collection for its residents, but was forced into making a decision when local collection provider Waste Management pulled out of several municipal routes. North Huron Council approved the Blyth BIA’s constitution just in time for the organization’s inaugural meeting on Jan. 5. It was decided that Huron County would pay for the defence of its council composition bylaw. The appeal of the bylaw, being launched by Huron East and Central Huron Councils, was set to go to back to court later in the month in Toronto. Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson officially opened one of her two constituency offices in Blyth on the village’s main street. She introduced Sarah Ross and Janet Haines, who would be working at the office. Alan and Laurie Willits of RR1, Wingham resumed their Italian vacation after the cruise ship they were aboard, the Costa Concordia ran aground off the island of Giglio. The couple had reached out back to Huron County to their daughter Jory for a credit card to help them along, as they lost all of their belongings in the disaster. The History Channel’s show Canadian Pickers made a second stop in Huron County in recent years, visiting Winthrop-area resident Ken Anderson of Anderson Salvage. Morris-Turnberry Council announced that it would be setting up its own municipal fire service. The plan was to include two fire halls: one in Belgrave and one on the outskirts of Wingham. Mayor Paul Gowing stressed that the reasoning behind the decision was for the municipality to have ownership over its own fire service. North Huron Reeve Neil Vincent said he was “in complete shock” at the decision of Morris-Turnberry Council, adding that he was “speechless” as to how to proceed next. With the main campus of the newMaitland River Elementary Schoolyet to be built, it was announced that community students would be split up. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 would be split between Wingham and Turnberry Central Public Schools, while students in Grades 7 and 8 were scheduled to go to F.E. Madill Secondary School in the fall as was originally planned. Leader of the province’s Conservative Party Tim Hudak was in Blyth to officially open Huron- Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson’s office. Hudak called Thompson the “perfect candidate” to help convert the riding of Huron-Bruce back to a Conservative stronghold building on the momentum of Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb taking the riding back from long-time Liberal MP Paul Steckle. Many Huron County councillors were left stunned when Warden Bernie MacLellan brought forth a “surprise” $1.7 million that would help with upcoming budget deliberations. He said that the money had always been accounted for, just that it was being rededicated to the general levy and taken from the Health Unit. Maurice Wilson, a Grade 6/7 teacher at Grey Central Public School coached the Wilfrid Laurier women’s curling team to a gold medal at the Karuizawa International Curling Championship held in Japan. Despite his team being inexperienced and young, they triumphed when faced with the competition. It was announced that the Belgrave, Brussels and Blyth School Fair, despite local school closures, could continue and even expand to include schools in the Wingham area. Students from the University of Waterloo made their way to Brussels to help designate heritage properties, identify properties of significance to the community and design a pair of walking trails that would help people see more of the village during their visits. The students were in Brussels to conduct research on properties, as well as talk to residents of the community to get a feel for it ahead of preparing a detailed report.North Huron Council presented itsdraft budget to the public and it included a spending increase of $120,000, a 2.9 per cent increase, and a tax increase across all three wards. A new streetscape master plan was presented in Blyth by landscape architect and project manager Jim Vafiades of Stantec Consulting. One of the main points in the presentation was the inclusion of “bump-outs”. These would help slow traffic, increase visibility and encourage legal parking throughout the community. Huron East Council presented the first draft of its potential budget, which included a proposed 3.7 per cent increase. An overpopulation of deer in the area was causing headaches for the OPP. Sixty-five deer collisions had been reported to the OPP since the beginning of the year, nearly double the 35 that had been reported by the same time the previous year. Animal control officer Bob Trick says the mild winter had helped the deer stay healthy, leading to an overpopulation of the animal leading into spring. A new executive was announced for the newly-named Belgrave School Fair. The board included president Steve Hallahan, first vice- president Margaret Vincent and second vice-president Erin Gaunt. The newly-organized Brussels Farmers’ Market received a Trillium grant for over $22,000 over the next three years. The majority of the grant would go towards start-up costs, with the hope that when the three years are up, the market would then be self-sufficient. North Huron Council called a joint fire meeting after Morris-Turnberry Council made its “demands”. Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson said she could not support the “do-nothing” budget that had been presented by Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Liberal Party. Steve Howe, communications director for the Avon Maitland District School Board, said he wanted to put any rumours to rest Continued from page 1 suggested payment could be made with a request for more details for 2013, the deputy mayor remained unfazed. “I am not prepared to pay that balance at this time,” said Breckenridge. “I don’t think it should be that big an issue to defer it.” Warwick further suggested that perhaps the mayor was unwilling to hold off on the payment given North Huron is prepared to meet with Morris-Turnberry on the fire-service agreement. “This is a council decision,” replied Gowing, noting his argument is council already agreed to the amount in question. Councillor Jamie McCallum agreed that North Huron’s request seems reasonable. “We are probably paying under what we probably should be,” said McCallum. “I feel we’re better off just to pay it.” While agreeing the amount in question wasn’t the problem, Councillor John Smuck contended it would make sense to review recreational centre’s usage data. “We had this discussion when we set our budget,” said Councillor Jamie Heffer. Ultimately, a motion put forth by Councillor Dave Baker, to withhold the allocation pending further information, was defeated. Smuck’s motion, agreeing to foot the tab and ask for more details in 2013, was approved. Guys - Gals - Moms - Dads & Cool Kids Whether it’s a tan, a haircut, highlights, or beard trim, we can help keep everyone looking great! And at a competitive price Hair and Tanning Gift Certificates available January A village visit Leader of the Conservative Party of Ontario Tim Hudak was in Blyth on Feb. 1 to help Huron- Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson open her new constituency office. He called Thompson the “perfect candidate” for the riding. (File photo) February March April Continued on page 9