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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-01-20, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011. Huron County Councillors were presented a detailed economic development strategy at their Jan. 12 Committee of the Whole meeting, outlining the importance of economic development going into the future. The strategy going forward, says Huron County Economic Development Officer Mike Pullen, is to build upon the award-winning Huron Economic Development Matters program, as well as several other pillars of economic development. The strategy was laid out by John Linton of TCI Consulting, who called the strategy “a very consultative process”. Linton said the process began in the spring of 2010 and it aimed to build on the extensive work that had already been conducted on economic development in Huron County. “We didn’t start this process with a blank sheet of paper,” Linton said. Linton said there were extensive workshop sessions, which were essentially like focus groups, in all nine of Huron County’s municipalities. The aim of the economic blueprint is to create jobs now, and in the future, Linton said. He said the strategy, like many other effective economic development strategies, focuses 80 per cent of its efforts on an area’s existing base, meaning that 80 per cent of the program’s resources should be dedicated to the people, businesses and assets that the area already contains. Twenty per cent of the effort should be focused outside of the region, he said, aiming at bringing in investors and businesses to the area. He said that there are already several key competitive advantages set up in Huron County, but the budget is significantly lower than many of the neighbouring municipalities and their commitments to economic development. Linton says that much of the work going forward should be web-based, which has already begun. He said that web-based work puts Huron County in a “very progressive position” and places the area as a “leader of the pack”. Contained within Linton’s presentation were over 100 different strategy points. As far as actual positions were concerned, Linton suggested the hiring of a full-time website designer and multimedia developer and a business retention and expansion co-ordinator. Both of those positions had initially been brought into Huron County on a contract basis. In addition to these positions, several additional contract positions were proposed on an as-needed basis. Another suggestion was that the focus of the Warden’s Economic Task Force be shifted. Currently, Linton said, the task force is seen as “episodic”, taking action when required. He said he’d like to see it as a permanent body with a more intensive mandate in the county going forward. These suggestions would equate to a potential additional $50,000 to $100,000 in the 2011 budget. The presentation was approved in principle, with further discussion to occur during budget deliberations over the next few months. VICTOR EARL CARDIFF Victor Earl Cardiff passed away on Jan. 2, 2011 at his home in London, Ontario. He was in his 66th year. The funeral service was held in London at Westview Chapel on Wonderland Rd. North on Saturday, Jan. 8 at 11 a.m. Pastor Phillip Powless officiated. Interment is in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London. Born on May 6, 1945 in Seaforth, Victor leaves to mourn his daughter Lisa (Dan) Brun and granddaughter Alexa of London and his son, Kevin Cardiff of Langdon, Alberta and siblings Dale and Don Chesher, Lewis and Aida Cardiff and Dorene Cardiff and Uli Ryter, all of Brussels. He will be missed by nephew Darron Chesher, nieces Melodee Agger, Vanda Blaauboer, Janis Cardiff, Danielle Van Geffen, Ariana Cardiff and Regan Ryter as well as grand-nieces and -nephews. He was predeceased by a son, Christopher in 1988 and by his parents Ross and Lena Cardiff of Brussels. Donations were made to the Canadian Diabetes Association and to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. ADA MAE JOHNSTON Mrs. Mae Johnston of RR 2, Wingham passed away at Wingham and District Hospital on Monday, Jan. 17, 2011. She was 93. The former Mae Shortreed, beloved wife of Elgin Johnston was the dear mother of Robert Johnston of RR 2, Wingham and Graeme and Diane Johnston of Stratford. She was the loving grandmother of Holly Johnston of Toronto and Cole Johnston of Stratford. She was predeceased by her parents Robert and Susan (Searle) Shortreed and by her brother Walter Shortreed. Visitation will be held at McBurney Funeral Home, Wingham on Jan. 20 from 2 - 4 p.m. and 7 - 9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home chapel on Jan. 21 at 1:30 p.m. Interment is in Wingham Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Arthritis Society would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. On-line condolences may be left at www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com GLEN WIGHTMAN Glen Wightman of Toronto, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Jan. 15, 2011. He was in his 54th year. He was much loved by his parents, Norman Wightman of Huronlea Home for the Aged and Florence Wightman (Wilson) of Auburn, Ontario. Glen will be deeply missed by his cherished wife Juliette, loving daughters Jacqueline and Melanie and loving stepdaughter Rosalind. He was the dear brother of Murray and Pat (Westlake) Wightman of Bowmanville, Marilyn and Don Bucholtz of Cherry Valley and Brian and Alison (Coultes) of Auburn, Ontario. He was the beloved son-in-law of Ed and Eileen Sweeney of Oakville, Ontario. He is also lovingly remembered by many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Glen was also a special friend to many people and will be greatly missed. Family and friends were received at Turner and Porter Funeral Home, Toronto, Ontario on Wednesday, from 7 until 9 p.m. with a memorial service to be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20. Family and friends will also be received at McCallum and Palla Funeral Home in Goderich on Saturday, Jan. 22 from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at 3 p.m. Expressions of sympathy can be made by making memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Dorothy Ley Hospice, Toronto, Ontario. Looking for local heroes There are so many people out there who do so much to improve their community. Now you have a chance to say thanks. Nominate that special person for the 26th Annual Citizen Citizenship Awards. Each year a committee chooses an outstanding citizen from each of the Blyth and area and Brussels and area communities to receive an award for contribution to the community. If you know someone you think should be honoured, please fill in the ballot and send it in. You may attach a longer explanation of why you think your nominee should win, if you like. If you have nominated someone before and he or she didn't win, please feel free to try again. I nominate as Citizen of the year for I feel she/he deserves this award because Nomination Deadline April 30, 2011. Name and phone number of nominator ❑Blyth & area ❑Brussels & area North St. West, Wingham Mac & Donna Anderson 519-357-1910 A cemetery is a history of people, a perpetual record of yesterday and a sanctuary of peace and quiet today. A cemetery exists because every life is worth loving and remembering - always Distinctive Memorials of Lasting Satisfaction BOX 158 WINGHAM ONT NOG 2W0 Obituaries Huron County unveils economic strategy Find a job or advertise a job on the Jobs In Huron section of our website www.northhuron.on.ca By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen