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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-06-14, Page 1CitizenTh e $1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, June 14, 2012 Volume 28 No. 24TURBINES- Pg. 10Dozens oppose turbinesat ACW meeting SCHOOLS - Pg. 24 Colborne, Holmesvilleschools to closeCANOE- Pg. 7Brussels-area man’s canoeseen in Queen’s flotillaPublications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON N0G 1H0INSIDE THIS WEEK: Warden term could be extended to two years Morris-Turnberry accepts proposal, meeting date set Going down? Nathan Brown, left, and Julia VanderMeer were two students from Brussels Public School who shed the bounds of gravity and their own reservations as they climbed tires, suspended ladders and ropes to challenge themselves at the Above the Falls Challenge Course at the Benmiller Conservation Area on June 7. The course is designed to get participants outside their comfort zone and challenge themselves both physically and mentally through a variety of activities including “icebreaker” games, walking and, of course, climbing the ropes. (Denny Scott photo) The term of Huron County warden could be destined for a two-year term in the near future. Councillors also felt council is heading towards a reduction in size, but that “they’re not quite ready yet”. Huron County Council spent several hours after the June 6 meeting discussing the recommendations made by consultant George Cuff late last month as the result of an extensive review of the county. Several recommendations were made, but they still have to be ratified by council at a later meeting. Councillors supported Cuff’s recommendation of a two-year term for the warden’s position. However, many councillors felt the change shouldn’t take effect until after the next election, which will be in 2014. “I think it’s important that it’s not just a statutory position, which I feel is what it’s become,” Bluewater’s Tyler Hessel said. “I think one year is not enough.” Councillor Neil Vincent, disagreed, saying that the one-year term was fine, but that there should be more opportunity for “repeatability”. He said the opportunity for a second year is there, but rarely do people run a second time because of the attitude surrounding that move. Huron County Warden Bernie MacLellan made a point to clarify that any changes that were made as a result of the strategic planning session would not affect his current term of warden. He had, however, declared his intention to run for a second term earlier in the meeting. Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh’s Ben Van Diepenbeek supported Vincent’s stance, saying the system was fine the way it is and there was no need to change anything about it. The vote to approve Cuff’s recommendation and forward the recommendation to council for approval was carried by a vote of 7- 5, with MacLellan voting in favour of the motion to avoid a tie vote, which would have been lost. The size of council was also discussed. Cuff recommended that council be reduced to a size no greater than nine councillors. However, many councillors disagreed. The issue, however, was not voted on because a report on the composition of Huron County Council was forthcoming at a June Committee of the Whole meeting. Council made its way through less than half of Cuff’s over 40 recommendations and will revisit the list at the next strategic planning session, which will be held on June 22. Huron East Mayor and Huron County Warden Bernie MacLellan will be seeking a second term as warden, he announced at the Huron County Council meeting on June 6 in Goderich. MacLellan told his fellow councillors that his decision to run for a second term, the first to attempt a second term as warden since Central Huron’s John Bezaire, had a lot to do with the organizational review by George Cuff. MacLellan said that if councillors showed that they would take the review seriously, implement changes and attempt to make Huron County a better place, that he knew he’d be working with a productive, forward-thinking council. Under those circumstances, he said, he would seek a second term. However, if council chose to “put it on the shelf” after commissioning it, he wasn’t interested in continuing as At its June 5 meeting, Morris- Turnberry Council accepted an invitation to discuss fire service issues with North Huron, even though councillors were uncertain of the meeting’s format. Administrator Clerk-Treasurer Nancy Michie told council she’d had a call the previous day from Gary Long, North Huron CAO asking for potential dates for a meeting. North Huron council discussed the possibility at its June 4 meeting. She said Long had e-mailed her at 7 a.m. on the Tuesday morning with the proposed date. Michie said she understood the proposal was for an open meeting involving councillors from both municipalities. “It might be nice to have an agenda,” said Deputy-Mayor Jason Breckenridge. Council voted to confirm the 7 p.m., June 27 date for the meeting, and ask to be forwarded an agenda. The decision came after council heard two more delegations over the issue of starting its own fire department to replace service currently provided by North Huron which Morris-Turnberry councillors feel is too expensive. Jim Bowman told councillors “I’ve never seen any more controversial issue in Morris- Turnberry.” He told council that both North Huron and Morris-Turnberry would be losers over the situation. Bowman asked Mayor Paul Gowing what he thought was a fair price. Gowing said Morris-Turnberry is looking for a formula that will be fair. He noted that there had been negotiations with Huron East and Howick over the service they provide to the eastern and north- eastern parts of the municipality but North Huron had given a firm price with no negotiation. Councillor John Smuck warned against going back into all the difficulties between the two municipalities. “Right now we have to focus on the fact we do have a meeting and don’t want to jeopardize that by talking about small stuff,” he said. Also at the meeting was Doug Kuyvenhoven, executive vice- president of Royal Homes who offered his services to bring the two municipalities together. “If there’s any way I can help remove walls and reduce tension, I’m willing to do it,” he said, after noting that he has good relations with North Huron and sits on the North Huron economic development committee but that his home and his business are in Morris-Turn- berry. Meanwhile Michie told council that July 31 has been set as the date for the Ontario Municipal Board hearing of an appeal of the zoning change for the property to house the Belgrave station of the proposed Morris-Turnberry fire service. By Keith Roulston The Citizen By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen MacLellan to seek second term Continued on page 6