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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2012-12-20, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2012. PAGE 11. Continued from page 1North Huron regarding making adecision about future fire coveragein Morris-Turnberry, the largest subscriber to North Huron’s fire protection services, before January 8, 2013, or they would look at forming their own department. Riach’s original motion read as follows: “I move that North Huron Council invite Morris-Turnberry to enter into fire service negotiations at the earliest mutually agreeable time,” Riach started. “Further that initial negotiations involve all members of both councils. Further that all costs associated in the negotiations be shared equally. Further that all accounts between North Huron and Morris-Turnberry be paid in full. Further that the ESTC [Emergency Services Training Centre] is not included as part of the negotiations. And further that the North Huron Fire Department [sic.] continue to operate as a legally compliant fire department.” While the clause regardingoutstanding accounts was removed,the motion was then passed.Blyth Ward Councillor Brock Vodden said that the issue with putting that demand in the motion was that it set a bad tone for the entire negotiation. “I think we have to be careful about putting conditions on an invitation,” he said. “If part of the invitation sets a condition that won’t be absolutely clear to our friends, then that can be a show stopper right there. The important thing is to get together in the same room to talk. We can talk about terms of other joint agreement requirements, but I don’t think it’s appropriate to have them in the motion. I make a motion that we omit the reference to the payment of other service agreements.” Riach accepted the suggestion as a friendly addendum to the motion. Other suggestions were made by council about the terms and situations following the meetings and ideas like alternating meetingsites were considered, however, inthe end, Councillor ArchieMacGowan said that the first meeting would be an ideal time to broach those issues. Reeve Neil Vincent agreed, stating that the first meeting may be a short one but that it would be an important one as that’s when they would set out their expectations. While the motion found support from council and was passed, resulting in a letter being sent to Morris-Turnberry’s Chief Administrative Officer Nancy Michie from North Huron’s CAO Gary Long, MacGowan said that things would have to be different going forward. “I have no issue sitting down to start the negotiation process but, personally, I won’t succumb to any bullying tactics,” he said. “I hope that won’t happen anymore... I will not succumb to some of the tactics that have come at us in the past. The past is the past and let’s hope a new leaf has been turned over.”Later in the meeting it wasexplained that the issue regardingaccounts came from hearing that Morris-Turnberry would be withholding an approximate $60,000 annual payment to North Huron as part of an informal agreement that was meant to help offset the costs of Morris-Turnberry ratepayers using the recreation facilities in North Huron without paying taxes that directly support the centres. According to North Huron Council, the funds were being witheld until a fire agreement was being worked on. Non-resident fees for costs like recreational facilities, water and sewer and cemeteries are an issue that has been discussed at greatlength at North Huron TownshipCouncil due to the strain it puts onexisting systems and budgets without providing recompense. While the minutes of the meeting were yet to be released, the official motion, which was carried, was recorded as the following: “Moved by Deputy-Reeve Riach, seconded by Councillor [Brock] Vodden, That North Huron Council hereby agrees to meet with Morris Turnberry Council in early January to negotiate a new fire agreement and further agrees that these meetings be held at a neutral location and that they be open to the public.” Potential meeting dates have been set for Jan. 10 or Jan. 14 in Belgrave. NH wants to negotiate, won’t be bullied The Township of North Huron and the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association are pleased to announce that their partnership has been renewed for an additional five years. The Huron Pioneer Threshers reunion has been a staple in the Village of Blyth for 51 years. Thousands of visitors flock to Blyth to join in the annual reunion festivities held each year in September at the Blyth Campground. Tom Dickson, President of the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association summarized their event by explaining “On the week following Labour Day the Huron Pioneer Threshers and Hobby Association puts on a show celebrating our heritage with steam engines, antique tractors and cars, working displays, steam shovel as well as horses and equipment. We also have music, step-dancing and fiddle competitions as well as dances on Friday and Saturday nights. There are 800 RVs that come to the campground for the event and many of them shop downtown Blyth.” The Township and the Threshers work jointly to maintain the Blyth Campground. This partnership has continued for decades and will continue for another renewal period. The partnership agreement was passed at the Dec. 17 meeting of North Huron Council. When asked what the show means to the community, Dickson added “Many of the churches and service clubs find that through selling food, parking cars, providing security or many other tasks that it has become a big fundraiser for them. Without the partnership agreement we have with North Huron council we would not be able to do this. So on behalf of the Directors, property committee and myself I would like to thank Pat Newson, Director of Recreation and Facilities, Reeve Neil Vincent, and Council for co-operation in getting this agreement done.” North Huron Reeve Neil Vincent remarked “Municipalities rely on community partnerships to thrive and grow. Without volunteers, such as the Threshers, we could not boast the tremendous services and events Blyth and North Huron have to offer. This show has been around longer than most of us can remember, and we will support their efforts for years to come.” Threshers renew partnership Happy Holidays and thank you for your patronage Greyhaven Gardens We have Available by calling 519-523-9781 Londesboro Gift Cards May you and your loved ones enjoy the many blessings this special time of year brings. We thank you for your patronage and look forward to serving you in the new year. Season’s Greetings from AUBURN CO-OP & BELGRAVE CO-OP Auburn 519-526-7262 Belgrave 519-357-2711 CH bids on games Genny Smith, the community improvement co-ordinator for the Clinton and Central Huron BIA, told Huron County Council that she is hoping Central Huron can land the 2014 Ontario Parasport Games. Smith, who has presented to Central Huron Council on the games, told councillors at their Committee of the Whole meeting on Dec. 12 that the games would bring an elite level of competition to Central Huron and that all of Huron County would benefit. Smith said that the games would have to be spread out among By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Continued on page 47 A European economic strategy develops, China’s domestic market grows and its next economic cycle evolves. The U.S. private sector recovers as new home starts rise and historically low interest rates remain a near-term reality. Opportunities for Canadian Investors are emerging It’s time to talk about your income and equity growth needs. Give me a call. Leonard (Len) Lobb CFP, FMA Investment Planning Counsel IPC Securities Corporation 410 James St., Clinton Ontario 519-482-8887 (toll free) 877-502-8887 len.lobb@ipcsecurities.com