Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-02-09, Page 23THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012. PAGE 23. Blyth service groups may be doing some fundraising to cover Blyth Public School’s year-end, school- end celebration. A letter written by Blyth Public School Principal Alice McDowell to North Huron Council was discussed at council’s Feb. 6 meeting at length. The letter requests waiving fees for the rental of various municipal buildings. Some of these rentals are covered by a reciprocal agreement that the Avon-Maitland District School Board has with the township while other requests aren’t covered under the agreement. The latter caused intense debate by council. Blyth Ward Councillor Brock Vodden initially suggested that they waive the fee for four of the seven requested rentals for several reasons. One of the requests, which related to the usage of Blyth Memorial Hall on July 24 for a community breakfast, did not fall under the township’s authority as that building is controlled by the Blyth Festival during that time period. Vodden also said he would not support waiving the fees for the school to rent the ice surface area of the Blyth and District CommunityCentre on Saturday, June 23 for acelebration of the school’s history orthe rental of the Bainton Art Gallery and Memorial Hall on April 26 for the school’s annual Grade 8 fundraiser. The decision for the celebration was two-fold for Vodden. “It’s not appropriate for council to be waiving this fee,” he said. “I’ve been told that it’s possible that alcohol will be served at this event... it’s an adult event, not one for the students. “The word celebration is wrong. The Village of Blyth isn’t looking to celebrate the closing of the school,” he said. “That’s like putting lipstick on a pig and saying it’s not a pig.” McDowell, in an interview with The Citizen on Tuesday morning, said that the school’s closure wasn’t what was being celebrated but the history of education in Blyth. She stated that, in hindsight, it may have been better to make the request in person and to have separated the issues into two requests: student events and the celebration. “We thought it would be easier to request everything at once,” she said. While council had no definitive proof that liquor would be served atthe event, other councillors agreedwith Vodden’s reasoning.Councillor Alma Conn stated that if there was liquour the event shouldn’t be supported as did Councillor Ray Hallahan. Director of Recreation and Facilities for the township Pat Newson stated that she didn’t know if liquour would be served. She stated that, as far as she knew, the celebration would consist of events at the public school and would be followed by a dinner hosted by the Blyth Lions Club at the Blyth and District Community Centre. Newson said she wasn’t aware of any plans for alcohol to be served and that the decision could be defered until that information was found out, however council pushed forward with the decision. McDowell, again, after the fact said that she had yet to confirm if alcohol would be present. “I’m assuming there will be, but I’ll have to confirm that with the Lions,” she said. “We’ve been working very closely with the Lions and they are actually responsible for the event so, if a rental has to be paid, it would probably have to come from them. I’m not sure if theywould be prepared for that.”Newson estimated the cost of therental at $456.20 plus HST. The only member of council to dissent (with Councillor James Campbell absent from the meeting) was Wingham Ward Councillor Bernie Bailey who said that councillors should be ashamed of the decision they were making. He moved that council support the school for each listed event. “It’s shameful that this is what’s happening to the last graduating class of the school,” he said. “It’s shameful we’re doing the children and families out of the fun of the event. It’s a shame that, 20 years from now, there won’t be memories of the last closing of the school. It’s a shame that we’re picking on children here. I will get behind this and help them work it out however possible.” Bailey likened the closure of the school to his own experiences when the school he attended in Wingham was replaced. During a recorded vote on whether or not to support the school on all the dates they requested councillors Conn, Hallahan and Vodden and Reeve Neil Vincent and Deputy- Reeve David Riach stated they would not support Bailey’s motion. Campbell’s absence was not a favourable situation according to McDowell. She stated that he had worked very closely with the school and the service groups and that he would have been able to address many of the issues that came up. “He’s an extremely importantperson in the process,” she said.Vincent then suggested that theyparcel out specific instances and deal with them separately which council did. Vodden motioned that they approve waiving the rental fees for the school’s public speaking contest at the Blyth Memorial Hall on Feb. 25, the rental fee for the ice surface at the Blyth and District Community Centre on March 8 for skating, the Bainton Gallery for the Grade 8 auction on April 26 and the upstairs hall of the Blyth and District Community Centre on June 25 for Grade 8 graduation. Conn pointed out that one of the events, a community supper on April 26, was to be held in concert with the auction as a fundraiser and Vodden eventually agreed to include it on the list. Council agreed with Vodden’s list and he said he wasn’t stating that the school could not run the events they wanted to, just that council would not be waiving the fee. “If they want to run their celebration, that’s fine, but if they want to use township facilities for it they can rent it and pay for it,” he said. McDowell stated she would be sending a clarifying letter to council to explain all the variables. The rental of the facilities at Memorial Hall on June 24 could not be discussed by General Manager Deb Sholdice as the issue had not been taken to the Blyth Festival’s board for consideration. Continued from page 19 going.” Twelve of the 16 team slots have been filled at the cost of $20 per per competitor. McKague-Weishar said that while the $20 fee helps to raise money and off-set costs, the real fundraising is done by each team’s members. “We like to see a minimum of $50 in pledges from each curler,” she said. The committee hopes to raise at least $1,000 from the event. Prizes will be available at the event and donated by local businesses like Green’s Meat Market. THE EDITOR, It’s time to respond to the loss of jobs in Canada. Why should our tax dollars go to foreign corporate raiders? Municipalities are some of the largest purchasers of heavy equipment and companies such as Caterpillar and Volvo need to know that they will lose sales as we lose jobs. All Canadian municipalities, including those in Huron County, should declare that they will no longer purchase Caterpillar products. If the U.S. can have a “Buy American” policy, surely we can respond in kind with our own policy. Jim Barnes, RR 5, Brussels. Continued from page 10 stop this madness which has overtaken many Ontario school boards like ours. Please ensure that you, your friends, your neighbours sign the petition which is available in many main street businesses this week. Similar action is taking place in many communities across Ontario. We are not alone. We cannot afford to lose our only school. Brock Vodden, Blyth. Melville Guild holds meeting Healthcare bonspiel resurrected Vodden leads charge as council denies school Writer wants new policy Vodden wants ‘the madness’ to stop Valentine’s (KTGUKFG%CHG 86348 London Rd, Wingham Featured Menu Soup & Salad Bar Full Rack of Ribs Caesar Salmon Hunter Schnitzel Prime Rib with Yorkshire pudding Aztec Chicken Great starter Caesar Salad Escargot with Garlic Butter & Cheese Coconut Shrimp www.thefiresidecafe.com 519-357-4484 ’ All-You-Can-Eat $895 Treat your Sweetheart Sticker’s Family Restaurant Call for reservations 519-526-7759 Auburn B RUNCH Sunday, February 12 9 am - 1 pm Faith-In-Song Concert #10 Blyth Christian Reformed Church Friday, February 17 at 8:00 pm Tickets: $10 Adult $5 Children 6-12 (5 & under Free) For Tickets: The Gift Cupboard Blyth ~ 519-523-4299 Featuring “thatotherchoir” (Clinton area) John DeJager (tenor) Sponsored by ABC Women’s Ministry By Denny ScottThe Citizen The January meeting of the Melville Presbyterian Church Guild and Women’s Missionary Society was held at the home of Jean Bewley on Tuesday evening, Jan. 17 with 10 members present. A delicious potluck supper was enjoyed by all to start off the new year. Mary Douma opened the meeting with a reading, “For the New Year” and the WMS Purpose was read in unison. The hymn “Standing at the Portal” was sung and Mary Douma read a story, “The Big Prize”. Jean Bewley gave the topic, “The Praying Hands” and everyone read small parts. Mrs. Bewley led in prayer and the hymn “Blest be the tie that binds” was sung. The Mizpah Benediction was repeated in unison to close this part of the meeting. Mary Douma presided over the business. Mrs. Douma read, “The History of the Tartan” and thanked Jean Bewley for hosting the meeting. The minutes of the December meeting were read by the secretary, Dona Knight and it was moved by Mary Douma, seconded by Jeanne Kirkby to adopt the minutes as read. Mrs. Douma gave a report on the annual meeting of the Maitland Presbyterial that was held in Wingham on Jan. 16. Marg Work, Leona Armstrong, Elaine Armstrong, Mary Douma, Alice Marks and Margaret Siertsema attended the meeting. Leona Armstrong read the itinerary of the WMS Synodical to be held in London. Leona Armstrong moved to send Elaine Armstrong as our delegate, seconded by Marg Work. Jeanne Kirkby gave the treasurer’s report. The date was set for the springtime supper. The supper will be on April 29 with the price staying the same at $13. The February meeting will be in charge of Leona Armstrong and Marg Work. It was moved by Mary Douma, seconded by Leona Armstrong that the group purchase 25 copies of the book, “Prayer Partnership”. The meeting was closed with prayer. Letters to the Editor thefiresidecafe@gmail.com