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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-05-16, Page 1CitizenTh e $1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, May 16, 2013 Volume 29 No. 20 WINNER - Pg. 12Local man wins big atCanadian championships GALLERY - Pg. 17Festival Art Gallerylooking for artistsPHOTO- Pg. 10Local student takes topprize at memorial showPublications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON N0G 1H0INSIDE THIS WEEK: Morris-Turnberry takes next step with plan And they’re off! The Senior Boys 200-metre race at Hullett Public School’s annual track and field event was no laughing matter as can be seen here shortly after the starting (whistle) gun went off. Shown participating in the race, from front to back, are Evan Plunkett, an unknown sprinter, Parker Gibbings, Kaleb Wilts and Cameron Wilts. Cheering on their classmates in the back row are, from left, Jordan Shortreed and Joseph Pizzati. (Denny Scott photo) Central Huron pulls its appeal During its May 7 meeting, Morris- Turnberry Council decided to take the next step with the municipality’s Business Retention and Expansion plan by addressing three major action items outlined in the document. To date council has addressed one major action item by creating a committee to deal with the recommendations of the document. Now, council is seeking to solve three more with one act by hiring a part-time economic development officer. Huron County Business Development (HBDP) Coordinator Douglas Barill is serving on the committee as well as representing the Huron Business Development Committee (HEDP) and he presented the recommendation to Morris-Turnberry Council. Barill explained that the position would cost the municipality $3,000 annually if they could receive funding from the Huron Business Development Corporationx (HBDC) for 50 per cent of the $6,000 salary. Mayor Paul Gowing, who is also a member of the committee and was on hand for the meeting, says the position is a good idea. “We’re unable to get things like this done at this level of government for a lack of resources,” he said. “You have to throw resources at it to get it done and that’s how you tackle issues, through getting funding. This is the same situation that most other municipalities have found themselves in and have taken advantage of a part-time co- ordinatior position to foster and update economic development options in the area.” Barill echoed that notion, adding that it’s great to have someone on hand to tackle issues of economic development in a municipality like Morris-Turnberry where the chief administrative officer already wears many hats. “It would be great to see this done in Morris-Turnberry and used as a proven concept elsewhere,” he said. Councillor Jamie McCallum wondered if, since they were only seeking a part-time individual, the cost for a full-time position could be split among three or four other municipalities. Barill stated that was the idea of the program once it was proven as successful in Morris- Turnberry. Councillor John Smuck wondered how hiring would be handled with a full-time position and Barill said that he would meet with any involved chief administrative officers and the decision would likely be made there, as it would be part of his portfolio with the HBDC. The three main responsibilities of the position would be to update and maintain a business directory, identify local resources that could aid in business development and create opportunities for networking. Barill explained that having those three issues addressed would be creating the foundation for future development. “This would really build a foundation for Morris-Turnberry’s economic development ‘house’,” he explained. “Everything goes up from here.” The motion to support the request of the committee to apply for funding from the HBDC for an Economic Development Co- ordinator for Morris-Turnberry, working for 10 hours a week for a six-month period, was passed by council. The Blyth Festival Art Gallery was among the winners at Friday night’s Huron Arts and Heritage Network awards, held at Hessenland Country Inn. The art gallery was honoured in the outstanding cultural event or organization category where it beat out the likes of the Exeter BIA, the Goderich Documentary Group, the Grand Bend Area Studio Tour “Arts, Eats and Beats” and the Huron Harp Ensemble. Rob Tetu of the Blyth Festival Art Gallery says that he was thrilled when he heard the gallery had won the award. He was also proud that the gallery had such good representation at the event. “We have a dedicated group of Consultant John Cox’s recommendation on Central Huron’s next step in a planned appeal against Huron County’s Official Plan proved unpopular with at least one councillor at Central Huron’s May 7 session. In detailing the process behind reviewing Central Huron’s appeal to the Huron County Official Plan, Cox, whose company J.L. Cox Planning Consultant was paid about $4,500 for the report, said the end result of his investigation is Central Huron is heading down a dead-end road. Ultimately, following a later in camera session, council chose to seek an adjournment on the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) appeal, and to seek out ways to meet ratepayers’ concerns within its own official plan. “My advice to the municipality is it is not the way to proceed,” said Cox during his Tuesday night presentation. He noted there are limited measures in which municipalities can do battle with Green Energy Act policies, which are the crux of Central Huron’s appeal against Huron County’s Official Plan. In short, he said, Central Huron “is really in a weak position” relating to the appeal, which is slated to be heard before the OMB next month. Cox recommended Central Huron take a wait-and-see approach given there are currently so many cases in front of the courts relating to the Green Energy Act, and industrial wind turbines in particular. He said Central Huron could also pass bylaws on issues, like road access, utility crossings, development agreements and emergency services measures, which would give them some type of control over projects. Cox also noted Central Huron will need an “official witness” for the hearing, which it has yet to acquire. Ultimately, said Cox, the municipality is an unfortunate situation. “The province has essentially handcuffed municipalities in how they deal with it,” he said. “My advice to the municipality is that is not the way to proceed.” Councillor Brian Barnim said Central Huron’s concern is with section three of the Green Energy Act and not industrial wind turbines. “It’s not that we’re trying to say no to industrial wind turbines,” he said, noting that when he was on Huron County Council, he proposed a motion, that was passed, calling on the county to put a moratorium on wind turbine development until a number of property studies were completed. “That was passed,” said Barnim, adding the Huron County Official Plan contradicts that motion. “I think everybody is off-base here with what we’re trying to accomplish. What we’re trying to effectively do here is hold the county accountable,” said Barnim. “We’ve By Cheryl Heath Special to The Citizen Continued on page 6 By Denny Scott The Citizen Art Gallery honoured By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Continued on page 6