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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-02-16, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012. The Huron County budget made waves once again at the Feb. 8 meeting of Huron County Council’s Committee of the Whole. Warden Bernie MacLellan suggested that after the budget was presented to councillors at the second Committee of the Whole meeting of the month on Feb. 15 that two special budget days be set aside, specifically March 2 and March 5. However not all councillors felt that special meetings were the way to go, both in terms of deliberation and in fairness to the residents of Huron County. “I’m wondering why we can’t handle this in regular committee meetings,” said Goderich’s Deb Shewfelt. “I don’t think we need to spend $5,000 every time we have a special meeting.” Shewfelt said council should deal with the budget during the regular council meetings because there would be more than enough time to handle it before the end of April. Councillor Paul Klopp agreed, saying that council should get started as soon as the budget has been presented and councillors have had a chance to review it on their own time. MacLellan said he would be happy to handle the budget during regular committee meetings and that the only reason he had proposed special meetings was that at noon on a regular committee meeting day, Huron County Council begins tolose representatives to work or othercommitments. Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn, however, said that far more time needs to be spent on the budget. “I’m not comfortable with that approach at all,” Ginn said. “I was literally appalled at how little time we spent on the budget last year. We were not nearly in-depth enough.” Ginn suggested that council be broken out into smaller committees that could review a specificdepartment’s budget line by line toensure that enough time is spent on a budget that tops $100 million. Huron East’s Joe Steffler said that it only makes sense to ensure that enough time is spent on the budget. He said if the budget is rushed through, then it’s not fair to the taxpayers of Huron County. “This is by the people, for the people,” Steffler said. “The budget is very important. “People shouldn’t be rushing out at noon. If we’re really invested inwhat we’re doing, people shouldstay all day. Let’s start doing our jobs and staying here.” Howick’s Art Versteeg agreed. “We’re paid to be here for a full day,” he said, “I think we should start putting in a few full days.” Shewfelt, however, said that councillors should be able to put their time in at home to study the budget before coming to the Goderich meetings. “We have six committee meetings before the budget gets passed,”Shewfelt said. “You don’t have to behere to study the budget.” Shewfelt denounced Ginn’s suggested approach, calling it “micromanaging” the budget and told councillors to take the budget home when it’s presented on Feb. 15, study it and be ready to discuss it at the first meeting in March. The budget was set to be presented to councillors on Feb. 15 and talks would resume at the first Committee of the Whole meeting on March 14. CATHERINE GENEVIEVE “KAY” RICH Kay (Fitzpatrick) Rich of Brussels, and formerly of Wingham passed away peacefully, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease at Huronlea Home for the Aged, Brussels on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. She was in her 93rd year. Kay was the beloved wife of the late Edward Rich, who predeceased her in 2001. She was the loving mother of George and Mary Rich of RR 2, Bayfield, Warren and Evelyn Rich of Belgrave, Ruth Anne and Keith Brighton of Kitchener, Ken and Sheila Rich of Fordwich and Darlene and Todd Millin of Fonthill. Kay was cherished by her grandchildren Paul Rich, Jason Rich (Susan), Amanda Rich (Phil), Patrick Brighton (Nicole), Brandy Brighton (Adam) and Katie Millin. Kay is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Henry, Hunter and Lyric, sister Mildred Holmes of Kitchener, sister-in-law Mary Fitzpatrick of London and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Maurice and Leah (McCormick) Fitzpatrick, sisters Theresa Dunn, Edith McLeod and brother George Fitzpatrick. Besides raising a family, Kay was the past president of the Catholic Women’s League and the Ladies Auxiliarly of the Royal Canadian Legion. She was an avid volunteer with the Red Cross as well as the Gift Shop at the Wingham Hospital. She worked at both the Simpson Sears and the Eaton’s order offices in Wingham as well as at CKNX. Visitation was held at McBurney Funeral Home, Wingham on Feb. 9. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church on Feb. 10. Father K.P. Morrison officiated. Interment is in Wingham Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society of Ontario or a charity of one’s choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. Vigil Prayer Service was held in the funeral home on Feb. 9. Online condolences may be left at www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com BRYAN RUSSELL SEWERS Bryan Sewers of RR 2, Wiarton, passed away at Grey Bruce Health Services, Owen Sound on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. Bryan was the beloved husband of the former Evelyn Saari and dear father of Tanya Sewers, Dwayne Sewers and Simone Delima and Deryck Sewers, all of Kitchener- Waterloo. He was the brother of Faye Bolger of Blyth, Dale Sewers of London, Regge Sewers of Wingham and Mayme and Brian Gibbons of RR 3, Wingham. Bryan is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Russell and Ruth (Nickel) Sewers. Visitation was held at Downs and Son Funeral Home Ltd., Hepworth, on Friday. The funeral service was held at McBurney Funeral Home, Wingham on Saturday with visitation prior to the funeral. Rev. Pamela Fitkin officiated. Spring interment is in McIntosh Cemetery, Carrick Township. Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of one’s choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. Messages of condolences for the family are welcome at www.downs andsonfuneralhome.com or www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com Councillor Bernie Bailey of North Huron Township is concerned that the switch to clear garbage bags may be a bit too abrupt for certain members of the community. Bailey stated during council’s Feb. 6 meeting that he had received calls from ratepayers who were stating that the small “kitchen catcher” style opaque garbage bag that will be allowed for privacy in clear bags won’t be enough for people to feel comfortable putting their garbage out. “We live in an aging society and they take their personal matters seriously,” he said. “I think we’re starting too harsh.” Bailey stated that he had been told, by Director of Public Works Ralph Campbell, that people could use garbage cans for additional privacy but he still felt that wasn’t enough. He requested that council amend the garbage plan, which is slated to be rolled out the first of March, to allow a second privacy bag. Campbell stated that, while garbage cans are certainly allowed, it wasn’t something he wanted to advertise. “If the bags don’t easily come out of the cans, they won’t waste time trying to get them out,” Campbell stated, adding that garbage cans could prompt people to go over the 40 lb weight limit on garbage. He stated that anyone who used a garbage can should cut a hole in the bottom to allow air to get through the can when it is being emptied. Councillor Brock Vodden stated that the issue wasn’t really as bad as Bailey thought. “This concern has been overblown, I don’t think we need to be concerned about it,” Vodden said. Councillors look ahead to budget meetings NH trash concerns Looking for local heroes There are so many people out there who do so much to improve their community. Now you have a chance to say thanks. Nominate that special person for the 27th Annual Citizen Citizenship Awards. Each year a committee chooses an outstanding citizen from each of the Blyth and area and Brussels and area communities to receive an award for contribution to the community. If you know someone you think should be honoured, please fill in the ballot and send it in. You may attach a longer explanation of why you think your nominee should win, if you like. If you have nominated someone before and he or she didn't win, please feel free to try again. I nominate as Citizen of the year for I feel she/he deserves this award because Nomination Deadline April 29, 2012. Name and phone number of nominator ❑Blyth & area ❑Brussels & area 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 Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen