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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2013-01-31, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013.Hall leaves unanswered questions for council A tasty job Darrell Wood of the Blyth Legion took his familiar position as the Legion hosted a pancake breakfast on Sunday morning. (Vicky Bremner photo) Chuipka offers listening tips Councillors at Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh township council were told during their Jan. 22 meeting that the Benmiller Hall, a building the municipality purchased from the Benmiller Foresters approximately a year ago, is in rough shape and that the board now responsible for it felt it couldn’t be maintained as is. The hall had been purchased from the Foresters after they became concerned that, due to an administrative change, the building would be sold when its ownership reverted back to the Independent Foresters. As a result, the township purchased the building and left it to a board of volunteers to run the hall, rent it and, through fundraising, bring it back up to code. During their meeting, however, council was told by board committee member Brad Vanstone that the building, in its current condition and in his opinion, wouldn’t be able to amass the kind of funds needed for some of the repairs the group saw coming. The floor of the building needs to be replaced, according to Vanstone, and the doors, stairs, handrails, furnace and bathrooms need to be repaired. He said the projects, spread over five years, would likely cost $5,000 to $10,000 per year. The floors are estimated to cost $6,500 according to Vanstone. “The bathrooms are in pretty rough condition,” he said. “The septic system is fine, but the bathrooms are basically just indoor outhouses that flush.” The repairs necessary, according to Vanstone, are not just limited to the hall. The accompanying baseball diamonds, which both by Vanstone and council spoke highly of, are in need of some attention, especially the bleachers. Reeve Ben Van Diepenbeek felt, however, that the terms of the council buying the hall precluded any help beyond seed money. “When we bought the hall we said that volunteers, who were supposed to be made up of the Foresters and community members, would be responsible for fundraising and for getting grants,” he said. “We agreed to help with the grants and we can see about seed money, but, similar to St. Helens Hall, which the township bought, the only involvement the township has on a daily basis is that all the money flows through the treasury.” Van Diepenbeek explained that the township approved big projects, but the day-to-day issues were handled by the board. Vanstone said he was unaware of that understanding as he was a community member brought on board and not a member of the Foresters, but also said that he doesn’t think the hall is rentable as is. He said that any rentals they can get will not be able to raise the money necessary to maintain itself. “I don’t think we can charge a rate that will maintain itself,” he explained. “As far as fundraising and other money goes, I just don’t think, as a board, we can do it.” Vanstone went on to say that the board was having trouble finding volunteers. Deputy-Reeve Neil Rintoul pointed again to St. Helens Hall, stating that it was an example of how the board could run it. “It’s where it is because St. Helens, as a community, decided it was proud of their hall and made up their mind to save it,” he said. “They got a Trillium Grant to do the work and have fish fries to raise money for it.” Councillor Barry Millian, who sits on the Benmiller Hall Board, said that, if the volunteers weren’t there, then maybe it was time to re- evaluate the situation. “This is supposed to still be, primarily, the Foresters’ hall,” he said. “If their interest is waning, then maybe we should look at changing things.” Millian said that he remembered when the Foresters came to council to ask for their help and that, after some time, they presented a model Continued from page 12 repeat in your own words what the speaker said so that you can be sure your understanding is correct. Give feedback. Sit up straight and look directly at the speaker. Now and then, nod to show that you understand. At appropriate points you may also smile, frown, laugh, or be silent. These are all ways to let the speaker know that you are really listening. Remember, you listen with your face as well as your ears! So let me return to my original story about the small boy who attended church for the first time. The Pastor did a great job of developing a relationship with the boy and also used effective listening skills in doing so. Every relationship that we value deserves our full attention. When we allow others to tell their story and we use effective listening skills our relationships can only get healthier. So take time to listen to others. GENEVIEVE PEARL (KERSLAKE) ALLEN Mrs. Genevieve Pearl (Kerslake) Allen, formerly of Londesborough passed away peacefully with family by her side at Huronview Home for the Aged, Clinton on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013. She was in her 92nd year. Genevieve was the beloved wife for 54 years of the late Thomas B. Allen (1993) and the dear companion of the late Bruce Roy (2006). She was the loving mother and mother-in-law of Gloria and Wayne Jackson, RR 1, Ridgetown, Keith and Nancy Allen, Londesborough and Karen and Don Scruton, Bayfield. Genevieve was loved dearly by her precious grandchildren Brian Jackson, Sandra Pidduck, Don Allen, Mark Allen, Drew Allen, Paula Beauchamp, Colleen Edwards, John Scruton and by 17 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her grandson Ken Jackson (1983). Friends were received at the Falconer Funeral Homes, Clinton on Friday, Jan. 18. The funeral service was held on Saturday, Jan. 19. Interment was in Clinton Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy memorial donations to the Londesborough United Church or the Brain Tumour Foundation would be appreciated. Condolences for the Allen family may be forwarded to www.falconerfuneralhomes.com WILMER GLOUSHER Mr. Wilmer Glousher of Blyth, passed away as the result of a vehicle accident on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013. He was 85. Wilmer was the beloved husband of Marie (Heffron) Glousher, and loving father and father-in-law of Stewart and Sharon Glousher of Goderich and Barbara and Kim Hodgins of Clinton. He will be lovingly remembered by grandchildren Jennifer, Mark, Jamie, Tanesha, Stacey and Sheena. Wilmer was great-grandpa to Bentley. He was the loving stepfather of Bill and Donna Heffron, Tom and Peggy Heffron, Joe Heffron and Marg Broome, Jim and Marg Anderson and Mary Witherspoon. He is also missed by several step-grand and step-great- grandchildren. Wilmer was the dear brother and brother-in-law of Doris and Harold McClinchey, Goderich; Marjorie and Roger Battler, Waterloo; Edyth Glousher of Blyth; Viola Sanderson, Blyth; Fern McClure, Egmondville; Jim Cronin, Walkerton; Tom and Cheryl Cronin, Blyth; Marg LeSouder, Stratford and Jo Landon, Lucknow. Wilmer was predeceased by his first wife Norma (Dexter) Glousher, parents Henry and Vera Glousher, brothers Stan, Lloyd and John and sister Thelma Deveau. A private family service was held at the Blyth and District Community Centre on Friday, Jan. 25 followed by a celebration of life for friends. Donations to the Clinton Public Hospital Foundation or the Londesborough United Church would be greatly appreciated. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Falconer Funeral Homes. Condolences for the Glousher family may be sent to www.falconerfuneralhomes.com 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. North St. West, Wingham Mac & Donna Anderson 519-357-1910 A cemetery is a history of people, a perpetual record of yesterday and a sanctuary of peace and quiet today. A cemetery exists because every life is worth loving and remembering - always Distinctive Memorials of Lasting Satisfaction BOX 158 WINGHAM ONT NOG 2W0 Obituaries By Denny Scott The Citizen Continued on page 17