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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-07-12, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012. Continued from page 19 original request at the June 18 meeting of council, sent a letter putting the request in writing, as was indicated necessary by council during that meeting. The profits from the beverage garden, according to Hearnden, will be split between the Wingham Ironmen, who are helping with the event, and the Christmas street light fund for Wingham. Street party drink profits go to Ironmen, lights Huron East discusses approaching turbine deadlineMembers of Huron East AgainstTurbines (HEAT) voiced theirconcerns to Huron East Council atthe July 3 meeting about the appealprocess that is unfolding for the St.Columban wind project.HEAT member Rob Tetu wantedto address council to discuss thequickly-approaching deadline for appeal submissions and what, if any, concerns the municipality would be submitting on the project. The process, as laid out by council at an earlier meeting, would be that the Administration Committee would meet with members of HEAT and discuss potential concerns and then the committee would forward those questions on to council for approval before submission. Council said some issues had already been submitted regarding the location of one turbine and the running of a transmission line through Cranbrook. In addition, several issues have already been raised by the Huron County Planning Department. Tetu stressed to council that if they wanted to submit any questions that the clock was ticking. “We have no time,” Tetu said. Tetu asked council if the municipality would support a homeowner (Tetu used himself as an example) if he were to go to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) to fight against a potential reduction in property values. Mayor Bernie MacLellan, however, said the municipality isn’t allowed to take a private property to MPAC. MacLellan then told a story about how he had to take one of hispersonal properties to MPAC for achallenge and he won withouthaving to go to a hearing. “I never hired a lawyer,”MacLellan said. Deputy-Mayor Joe Steffler wasconcerned about how far the fightwould take the members of HEATand whether they would be satisfiedwith the end result or not.Steffler asked if the issue would still be appealed at the environmental tribunal and HEAT member Gerry Ryan said that if the group feels they haven’t been represented well by council, and the province, then it will be appealed, but it would still have to be discussed. Steffler says he just wanted to know that council had put in meaningful work on the wind turbine issue over the past three years and that it wasn’t all for nothing. “Brad (Knight, clerk- administrator) and the mayor have spent a lot of time on this and we’re getting close to D-day,” Steffler said. “Have we spun our wheels for the last three years?” Ryan told Steffler that council had not been wasting its time and that he was right, that d-day was quickly approaching. As the discussion escalated, Steffler told the members of HEAT that council understood their points, but now it was time to address a body that could make a difference that wasn’t hampered by the Green Energy Act. “It’s the province you have to convince is wrong,” Steffler said. MacLellan came down in the middle, saying that council cannot be for or against wind turbines, but the one aspect of the situation that isenforceable from council’sstandpoint is the rules the company will have to follow.“If they’re not following therulebook, that’s what we have to hang our hat on, then we havesomething to back it up,” MacLellansaid. New Blyth Lions Club executive The Blyth Lions Club recently named their 2012-2013 executive. Members are, back row, from left: Mary Lou Stewart, third vice-president; Ryan Lee, president; Bruce Bettles, zone chairperson-Dublin and District Lions Club; Fred deBoer, second vice-president; Charlie Shaw, director; Greg Toll, tail twister; Ken Stewart, past president; Steve Howson, treasurer; Brenda McDonald, bulletin editor; Vicky Bremner, director; Bev Blair, director; Alex Blair, membership chairperson; Bill Logue, director. Front row, from left, are: Dave Kelly, first vice- president, and Lisa Bromley, secretary. Absent is Sheron Stadlemann, Lion tamer. (Photo submitted) By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen The CitizenBlyth 519-523-4792 Brussels 519-887-9114 MILES FOR MEMORIES At age 74 retired Perth County farmer Jeff Timmermans bicycled 8248 km across Canada over four months to raise awareness of Alzheimers which had struck down his wife Toni. He recalls that journey and their life together in this book. $20.00 CANADIAN FEATHERS Go beyond the typical bird book with this smorgasbord of little-known facts and interesting tidbits about the birds of Canada. Details on characteristics, behaviour, diet, reproduction and family status of 426 bird species found in Canada. 60% off Only $10.99 THE CANADIAN HOUSEWIFE: An Affectionate History This illustrated book tells the history of housewives from the earliest settlements in Acadia, through settlement of the country and two World Wars to the 1950s to show their essential contribution. $29.95 HUMANE LIVESTOCK HANDLING Dr. Temple Grandin’s research and insights into animal behaviour have revolutionized animal handling. Learn, through text and drawings, about livestock behaviour and how to build facilities for healthier animals. $29.95 EXPLORING THE WORLD OF RACCOONS The common raccoon is among the most recognized animals in North America. Learn how native intelligence, anatomy and natural skills combine to make the raccoon one of our most successful inhabitants. $6.95 ONTARIO’S HISTORIC MILLS Mills were among the earliest commercial establishments in pioneer communities. This 224 page, full- colour book tells the story of more than 100 Ontario mills including several in Grey, Bruce, Huron and Oxford. $29.95 OUT STANDING IN THEIR FIELD: The Rural Adventures of Hap and Edna Shortlisted for the Leacock Prize for Humour this book introduces BC farm couple Hap and Edna Fitzpatrick and a colourful cast of hilarious characters, both human and animal. $18.95 Enjoy lots of Canada Day reading with books from... A PADDLER’S GUIDE TO WEEKEND WILDERNESS ADVENTURES IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO You don’t have to travel north to have happy adventures on the water. They’re as close as the Beaver River or the Bruce Peninsula. $19.95 THE NEW WOODBURNER’S HANDBOOK In these days of rising energy costs the savings from burning wood can be substantial. This is a guide to safe and efficient woodburning, everything from choosing a stove to maintaining a chimney. $19.95 Block Parents seek more families to volunteer The recently re-established Block Parent movement in North Huron is seeking more volunteers to help keep the program running in Wingham and expand it into Blyth. Steve Hill, a member of the group, stated, at a North Huron Township Council meeting on July 3 that the group has found approximately “a half dozen” families in the two months since they started. “We’ve only been in existence for a couple of months,” Hill said when asked by Deputy-Reeve David Riach what the “holdup” was in getting families. Hill explained that the group had visited local public and Catholic schools to spread the word about the service they offer but said they were having trouble expanding beyond Wingham. “We’ve had to focus on the Wingham area,” he said. “Police reports outside of Wingham aren’t free.” The Wingham Police Department provides the background checks, which, according to documentation from the Block Parent program of Canada and the Ontario Block Parent Program, need to be performed on every member of an applying household over the age of 12. According to that same documentation, the typical cost for each individual’s check is $20. The issue of the Block Parents had originally been brought up by Public Works Superintendent Ralph Campbell who asked if council was amicable to have the street signs erected that indicate Wingham as a Block Parent community, which councillor Archie McGowan moved to do. “We’re always trying to recruit new homes,” Hill said. “Getting these signs up will help publicize the group. We had a booth at the Muskrat Festival and that helped but we need all the publicity we can get.” For more information about becoming a Block Parent contact the North Huron Township offices at 519-357-3550 or visit Northhuronblockparents.com By Denny Scott The Citizen