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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-01-17, Page 7THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013. PAGE 7. Continued from page 1 Committee of the Whole meeting’s consent agenda to be dealt with individually. Councillor Brian Barnim criticized the move by Mayor Jim Ginn, saying that in the six years he had been a councillor, he couldn’t remember an issue that had been defeated at a Committee of the Whole meeting coming to the next regular council meeting for approval. Ginn said that because the county needed a response, the issue had to be officially voted on and either approved or denied by council so the municipality’s response could be forwarded to the county. Barnim said that because the motion had been defeated at the Committee of the Whole meeting, he thought council was “done with” the issue. Ginn, however, explained that the Committee of the Whole vote is simply a recommendation for the council meeting and that it “means nothing” in an official capacity. Ginn admitted, however, that under “normal circumstances” a motion that is voted down at the Committee of the Whole level doesn’t return at the regular council meeting. With the septic inspection program and the triple majority that governs its approval, he said, he didn’t consider the vote to be “normal circumstances”. When discussion surrounding the program began, Ginn made an empassioned plea to those in attendance to consider the positive side of the program, which, he said, would help improve water quality in Huron County. Ginn supported his statements and concern by listing his accomplishments in the environmental arena. Ginn has won awards at the local, provincial and national levels and has been involved in water quality improvement and stewardship, he said, in one form or another, for the majority of his life. He said that while water quality may seem like it doesn’t affect everyone in Huron County, it does – through tourism and how attractive the county is to the rest of the province, and the country. Ginn said that the municipality is currently attempting to get into the sports tourism business with its bid for the 2014 ParaSport Games. Ginn listed the waterfront as the county’s greatest asset in attracting people, saying that swimming, fishing and boating are all big parts of life in Huron County and for that to continue, the water quality of Lake Huron has to remain good. In the end, Ginn said, the proposed cost to those with septic tanks of $31 a year, based on a five-year cycle, is a “joke” compared to what it could cost to improve water quality. “I know the issue of water quality; it’s a costly one,” Ginn told the group. “Thirty-one dollars is a very reasonable price to clean up some of the problem.” Barnim said he had obvious concerns with the program that have been made public several times over. Barnim made a presentation to Huron County Council late last year opposing the program and he has spoke against it several times at the municipal level as well. Barnim said he is “strongly opposed” to the program and says his concerns range from the proposed program not being able to identify a potential problem with a septic tank to the seemingly- low costs that he said are impossible to maintain. Metzger said that he supported the intent of the program, but that he couldn’t see it being rolled out in its current form. “I understand that there is a need,” he said, “but I can’t support it as proposed. It is deeply flawed.” He said that while Deputy-Mayor Dave Jewitt had agreed that the program was flawed, but that it could be adjusted as it went along, he disagreed that it could be changed on the fly. “I think there should be a process to put something in place, but then it should come back to us for approval,” Metzger said. He added that if the program was approved as it is, then it would stay that way. He couldn’t see it changing after it had already been approved. Barnim said that there has been time for the flaws to be worked out. He said the county has been working on the program for eight years and it was just weeks before the vote that presentations were made. He said the process could have been a more collaborative one involving all nine lower-tier municipalities. He likened the county’s “we- know-best” approach to that of the provincial government, an approach council has often condemned at past meetings. In closing, Ginn said he hoped that a “sunset clause” could be installed in the program that would reassess the progress that had been made after the first five years and perhaps the program could be scaled back. He estimated that 90 per cent of problem areas in the county could be caught during the first five-year cycle and then at that time the program could be given a second look. In a recorded vote, council was tied at four votes per side, resulting in a negative vote for the program. Voting in favour of the program were Ginn, Jewitt, Councillor Alison Lobb and Councillor Dan Colquhoun. Voting against the program were Councillors Marg Anderson, Alex Westerhout, Barnim and Metzger. 9 Rattenbury St. E., Clinton, ON N0M 1L0 Ph.: 519-482-9924 ~ 1-888-235-9260 Res.: 519-524-9260 Check out RRSP and RRIF plans designed to meet your needs. GIA, Mutual Funds, Seg. Funds Invest in your future today! RRSP DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 28, 2013 Have you ever considered planning your financial future? See Lawrence for a free consultation. Confirmation classes to be held in Londesborough Septic inspection program defeated in split CH vote A cold and laryngitis kept TerryFletcher confined to his home onSunday, Jan. 13. However, MarkMitchell and Ken Hunking capably handled the service that morning at Londesborough United Church. The Minute for Missions, read by Jane Hoggart, was “Filling Empty Stomachs: Serving Meals.” The reading outlined how monies donated to the M&S fund are used from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Vancouver, B.C. to feed people who find themselves hungry for food and community because of the realities of poverty and inequality across our nation. The senior choir anthem was “Room in God’s Love For You”. The scripture reading from Isaiah 43: 1-7 was a reassurance from God that He would always be there to love and sustain His people. In chapter 3: 2-6, Luke speaks of the work of John theBaptist who travelled about theJordan area baptizing all who werewilling to repent and follow God’s teaching. The message for the adults was titled “On the River Bank”, referring to the River Jordan. Luke recounts in chapter 3: 21-22 the day Jesus appeared at the river and was baptized by his cousin, John, as a precursor to beginning His ministry. The Jordan River is in no way special, other than being the site for that baptism. It is narrow, quiet and muddy. Although it was a place of excitement when John was baptizing folk, when this was over the sceneonce again became serene.Therefore the wonderment is in thefact that the water of baptism changes one’s journey through life, a life in Christ. Anyone interested in confirmation classes in the spring is reminded to contact Terry Fletcher. The senior choir will practise prior to the service again on Sunday, Jan. 20. ET CETERA Long-time residents of Londesborough will remember Wayne Ward, who for a time operated a welding business in the old blacksmith shop on the village’s main street and lived in the corner house. Wayne had been confined to a wheelchair for quite some time as a result of health issues. He passed away in the Seaforth Manor on Tuesday, Jan. 8. By BRENDA RADFORD Call 523-4296 PEOPLE AROUND LONDESBORO NEWS FROM LONDESBORO Swinging away Despite a cutting, bitter cold wind on Monday, students at Hullett Central Public School in Londesborough did their best to enjoy the day, whether that meant huddling to stay warm, playing soccer or swinging. Shown braving the cold are, from left, Alex Fielding, Emma Bernier, Holly Edwards-Kiss and Mikayla Brak. (Denny Scott photo) By Morgan Howson Last week at Hullett Central Public School was a very perky week with the students coming back from their holiday break all excited. I decided to interview two kids from the Kindergarten B, Grade 1 and Grade 2 classes. In Kindergarten B I was pleased to talk to Carson and Mikayla about what they did on their holidays. Mikayla said she went to her grandma’s and then went to her grandma’s friend’s pool. Carson had a great time playing his new Batman video game. What exciting times they had. In Mrs. Thompson’s Grade 1 class I talked to Macey and Cassie, Macey went to her grandma and grandpa’s and saw her cousins which she really enjoyed. She also was pleased to play her iPod. Cassie had an amazing Christmas dinner and also played with her cousins and her new toys. What fun they had. Braeden in the Grade 2 class went sledding and Mikayla, also in Grade 2, went to her cousin’s house. It was very exciting at Hullett last week. By Ben Stewart Welcome back everyone. I hope you enjoyed the holidays. In the Grade 2 class I talked with Cassady and Kevin who thought the break was far too short and wanted more Kindergarten students recount their holidays Continued on page 10