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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-10-18, Page 31THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012. PAGE 31. Resident questions councillors on their conflicts of interest Central Huronproceeds with appeal The stories of Robert Munch A Bunch of Munch is being produced at the Blyth Memorial Hall between Oct. 15 and Oct. 26 by Duncan McGregor of Blyth. The plays feature several of the Canadian author Robert Munch’s stories. The cast took a break between performances this week to be photographed by The Citizen. Back row, from left: McGregor, Stephen Hildebrand, Leigh Anne Van Aaken, Arlene Darnbrough, Cherilyn Trick, Steve Cook, Jacob Crosby and Ally Connolly. Front row, from left: Isaac Van Aaken, Larisa Shea, Kathryn Peach, Donavon Jeffray, Caileigh Russelo and Nigel Van Aaken. (Denny Scott photo) Central Huron Council is proceeding with its appeal of the Huron County Official Plan and will hopefully assign the issue to a yet- to-be-hired independent planner. Councillors were split on how to proceed with the appeal, however, as some wanted to ensure that the public was kept in on the negotiation process. No one really disagreed, however, but there were some who felt council had already been forthcoming with information and others who disagreed with that viewpoint. Councillor Burkhard Metzger said he wanted to move forward with one option specifically because of its reference to a public consultation process. “I want some exchange going on,” Metzger said. “I don’t want the public left feeling they’re on the outside looking in.” Metzger said he wanted the process to be transparent, which it should have been in the first place. “How will we ensure that we are transparent?” Metzger asked. “How do we ensure that it’s not just one public meeting with 10 or 15 dedicated to talking about this?” Deputy-Mayor Dave Jewitt said that consultation with the public was already written into the process, as it had been from the beginning, a statement that Metzger said he “respectfully disagreed” with. Metzger said the issues being addressed now would never have come to light if it wasn’t for the members of the public who appeared at a council meeting earlier this year and demanded answers from council. “If they hadn’t asked, we’d still be waiting for answers from the law firm,” he said. “I don’t agree with your analysis.” Jewitt stuck to his opinion, however, saying the process has been transparent. “We can disagree on that,” Jewitt said. “That’s fine.” Central Huron Council launched the appeal earlier this year, objecting to four different aspects of the proposed Huron County official plan, the majority of which dealt with green energy. Councillor Brian Barnim said the appeal would be a good opportunity to bring in an independent planner. Barnim had first proposed the idea for discussions surrounding the Central Huron official plan, not wanting to use the Huron County Planning Department in the process. Chief Administrative Officer Peggy Van Mierlo-West said the appeal of the Huron County official plan could be something that could just be added to the new planner’s list of duties. Further news on the appeal will be forthcoming once an independent planner has been hired by the municipality. A petition with over 500 signatures of people opposed to the construction of industrial wind turbines was presented by members of Central Huron Against Turbines (CHAT) to Central Huron Council at its Oct. 9 meeting. The letter was formally written by Pete Middleton of Parr Line in Central Huron, but was supported by several members of the group at the meeting. Resident Fred Dutot told councillors that he felt 500 signatures was low in comparison to how many signatures he and several of the group’s volunteers could have obtained. He said volunteers going door to door to obtain signatures often heard that a spouse would sign the petition, but they weren’t home at the time. He said if the group had obtained the near-1,000 signatures he felt they could have, that would equal the amount of residents who routinely vote in a municipal election, and therefore their interests should be represented. Dutot said that while he, and other opponents of wind turbines developments in the community, appreciated council supporting motions from other municipalities opposing turbines, he felt Central Huron needed to take some action of its own. “At what point do you start doing something for your own people?” Dutot asked. Councillor Burkhard Metzger informed Dutot that Central Huron had made a motion requesting a moratorium on turbine developments until a comprehensive health study has been completed. The motion, he said, was made over a year ago. Dutot brought up recent property assessment numbers from Wolfe Island suggesting that residents there have lost over $3 million in property assessment. He said that he and other members of CHAT have been patient with council, but that it was time to see some action. Deputy-Mayor Dave Jewitt, who was chairing the discussion due to a conflict of interest declared by Mayor Jim Ginn, said that when council supports a motion, it’s just as if council had made the motion itself. He said that support doesn’t come lightly from Central Huron Council and that each motion is considered on its own merit and if councillors don’t agree with it, it isn’t supported. “We’re very aware of the groups in the municipality,” Jewitt said about CHAT. CHAT member Dave Hemingway also spoke to council, bringing up the issue of conflicts of interest, which he has discussed with council before. As Ginn sat in the gallery during the discussion, Hemingway cited high profile conflict of interest cases involving Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, saying that it is customary for those with a conflict of interest to leave the room during a discussion, while making the point that he was not pointing any fingers. Jewitt cut Hemingway off, saying that he would no longer entertain any discussion regarding conflicts of interest with councillors. He said councillors take courses prior to taking office and consult with lawyers as to when they have to declare a conflict of interest and how they should handle such a situation. “It’s not up to you to dictate,” Jewitt told Hemingway. Council took no official action out of Middleton’s letter or Dutot or Hemingway’s comments.www.frankmills.com Tickets at the Blyth Festival Box Office or call 1-877-862-5984 or www.blythfestival.com SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2012 – 3 PM BLYTH MEMORIAL HALL Happy 25th Anniversary Mom & Dad Scott & Kendra Cardiff Love from Blake & Tanner Happy 25th Anniversary Jim & Linda Hess Love from your family Happy 65th Birthday Wayne Todd Help us celebrate at 95 John St., W., Wingham Saturday, October 20 Open house 3 to 5 pm Best wishes only HALLOWEEN COSTUME RENTALS for Adults Contact Carol McLachlan 519-522-0703 after 5pm. Sat & Sun. 10am. - 5pm. 22 Nicholson Dr. Egmondville By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen