Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-05-03, Page 33THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2012. PAGE 11. Huron East not interested in unchallenged bylaws By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen "Take us to court," said Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan to members of Huron East Against Turbines (HEAT) after conversation quickly turned to a shouting match between council and members of HEAT at the May 1 meeting of council. Members of the group requested that council authorize the investigation into a bylaw to protect the health and safety of Huron East citizens. Council, however, has twice turned down such bylaws on legal advice from two different lawyers who advised council that if such a bylaw was in place, it would open the municipality up to all kinds of litigation. HEAT members, however, wouldn't take no for an answer, listing several examples of other municipalities who have put similar bylaws in place and have yet to be challenged on them. MacLellan, however, said a bylaw that has yet to be challenged was not one council was interested in. If a bylaw had been challenged and was upheld, that's the bylaw he and council want to hear about, he said. MacLellan said it was clear that the taxpayers of Huron East could not afford a lawsuit with a wind energy company with deep pockets. "So take us to court," MacLellan told HEAT members. "I think that's a valid statement" MacLellan said if HEAT felt council wasn't acting in the best interests of municipal residents after seeking two different legal opinions, the only avenue left was to take the municipality to court. "If we go to court and if the court thinks there's justification to the claim, then we've got something," MacLellan said. He said that if a court was to rule that council could legally do something to protect Huron East residents, then there would be a legal precedent that Huron East could use to implement a potential bylaw. "If not, we're just in the same spot we are now," MacLellan said. Tom Melady, however, one of the members of HEAT, said that was not the group's goal going into the meeting and there was no intention of suing the municipality. "We can't pass a bylaw that we know we can't defend," MacLellan said. "That's more than we want to take on." Conversation got heated when MacLellan insisted that council would not support a bylaw to protect the health and safety of residents against wind turbines until a bylaw was proven to be effective. Members of HEAT shouted over MacLellan as he told them comments from the floor would not be allowed and that the group's time slot had expired. Melady said the country's founders worked hard to build a desireable life in Canada where leaders didn't dictate to the rest of the country, and that it is those rights that he and the group are trying to preserve. "We're not going to take you to court," he said. "We believe there is another way." HEAT came to council with three requests. One of them was to investigate the aforementioned bylaw. Another asked for an extension of 90 days from the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to review the plans for the St. Columban wind energy project and the third was to host a meeting with council, HEAT members and concerned citizens throughout Huron East regarding the project. MacLellan said that while he supported the 90 -day extension and would encourage council to write the MOE to ask for it, council has been "stonewalled" with any of its previous requests of the MOE, so he wasn't confident this request would be treated any different. He said questions had been submitted to the MOE previously and had received no response from the Ministry, so MacLellan didn't know what the municipality's next move would be. MacLellan pushed forward with a motion to support the group's request to lobby the MOE for a 90 - day extension to the review period, which was passed unanimously. HEAT members, however, felt the motion wasn't what they asked for, saying they would be alone to review the hundreds of pages -long z document without a meeting set up between HEAT and council. MacLellan said HEAT could submit their questions on the project to council before May 25 so they could be reviewed by council at the June 5 meeting and be submitted on behalf of the municipality. The group left disappointed, saying that timeline would force them to read the entire document themselves. Councillors, however, said there was nothing they could do beyond that. After the questions are received, they will be presented to the administration committee before being brought to council. A night of youthful creations Art patrons crowded the Bainton Gallery at the Blyth Centre for the Arts on May 3 for the grand opening of the Huron County Youth Art Show. The show features creations from high-school aged children from across the county. The show runs until May 17. (oennyscottphoto) Homecoming group getting decorative practice in PEOPLE AROUND WALTON By Jo -Ann McDonald Call 887-6570 The Brussels Homecoming Decorating committee has met several times since the idea of celebrating the 140th began. They were responsible for the beautiful decorations everyone enjoyed at the New Years Day Levee at the Brussels, Morris & Grey Community Centre. They chose their colour scheme and have come up with interesting items to have available for decorating. The committee is comprised of seven local ladies and one very handy man. The chairperson is Rene Richmond and her artistic helpers are Agnes Ten Pas, Jean Davidson, Cora Alcock, Lois McArter, Isabel Prior and Phyllis Mitchell. Their very handy man is Henk Ten Pas. The group decided that "red and white, black and burlap" are the colours the village will showcase for the event. The Western theme ties nicely with the chosen scheme or the chosen scheme ties nicely with the Western theme. The committee hopes everyone will become involved and decorate their homes and businesses with the chosen colours and interesting western related ideas. Going to the work of decorating? — might as well have a competition. The "theme" for the weekend and for the decorating is "Come Home to the Country". Businesses and homes are encouraged to decorate with the colours of the weekend. Their display should be visible from the street for all to see and they will be judged on creativity and originality. Prizes will be gift certificates from our local businesses. Those wishing to be included in the competition will have to register with Rene or on the website by July 15. The decorating committee is busy making decorations for the event. They will have bows, braids, bandanas and hats available to purchase for all your decorating needs. When you gather a group of seven women together at a "bow making bee" a lot can be accomplished. Of course, use your own imagination and check out with family and friends what they can add to your display — wagon wheels, milk cans, ropes and saloon doors, spurs, chaps and plaid. Redneck, plough bow or gentlemen hustler or rustler! There are lots of ideas from the wild west to use. Decorations will be available for sale from the committee around town. You can pick up any of the items mentioned at McCutcheons or George's to Jo - Ann's during regular business hours or contact Rene for larger or special orders. Don't forget bows for your float for the parade. It is only 11 weeks until the big weekend and the time will fly by. Decorations will be available for sale in June. UCW welcomes troupe leader to meeting The members of Duff's UCW held their meeting last week. They discussed the upcoming 100th celebration and the role the UCW will play. Displays and food top the list. All groups will be asked to provide cookies and cake during the weekend. The group had a special guest speaker for the meeting. Julie Kuik is the leader of the `Almost Famous Players" group, a dedicated group of folks from across the area including Goderich, Clinton, Walton, Wingham and area that are a performing troupe. They are presenting "Foot Loose" at the Wingham Heritage Theatre on May 15 and 17. She showed a short video of the group and talked about the joy of working with this group of challenged individuals. Reports from those who have seen previous shows are that it is great. Walton's Michael Craig is part of the troupe. The 100th anniversary committee of Duff's United Church met last week at the church. Chairman for the evening was Graeme Craig in the absence of Neil McGavin. Plans are falling into place nicely and we hope all who have been members, or their families have been members, and those who are members will join us on June 9 and 10 for the celebration. Phyllis Mitchell reported on the open house plans for Saturday afternoon. There will be displays of family and church histories and tours of the church, manse and former schools. Anyone with bits and pieces of history, or family displays are asked to have them to the Church by Sunday, June 3. The committee hopes the histories will be mounted and ready to display. The UCW is also celebrating their 50th anniversary and they will serve refreshments and will welcome all former UCW members for a visit on Saturday afternoon. Phyllis Mitchell has arranged on Saturday evening, an old time dance to be at the Walton Hall. Admission and lunch will be a free will donation. The music will feature lots of violins, guitars, pianos players for great dancing music and a great time, just like in the "good ole days". Sunday will welcome everyone to the community worship service at 11 a.m. They have guest speaker Bob Heywood and are thrilled to have Doris Johnston McKinley from Nova Scotia leading the mass choir of former choir members. A pork chop barbecue will follow the service and members and their guests are asked to confirm their attendance with the planning committee, by June 1, we want to have enough food! Walton Has Talent, so a talent show is planned for mid-afternoon. Graeme Craig is in charge, so contact Graeme if you wish to share your talent. It sounds like a full weekend of activities to celebrate 100 years of this beautiful church building. Anyone wanting more information can contact anyone mentioned above and they hope the many generations of families with ties to Duff's United Church will join in the celebrations. Mark the date on the calendar — June 9 and 10.