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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-01-27, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011. PAGE 19. Graduation Max and Barb McLellan are proud to announce the graduation of their daughter, Candice, from the University of Waterloo. She has received with honours a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biological Sciences and a background in Economics. Candice has accepted a position as an External Engagement Specialist for BlackBerry Connectivity at Research in Motion, Waterloo. Congratulations. Love, Mom, Dad, Crystal, Dave and Chelsey. Morris-Turnberry applies for Belgrave meter fundsAt the Jan. 18 meeting, Morris-Turnberry councillors gave approval for an application under the Ontario Small Waterworks Assistance Program (OSWAP) to purchase water meters for Belgrave households. The motion came after a presentation by Don Nicholson, North Huron’s water operationsmanager who had been looking intothe issue on behalf of the twomunicipalities that overseeBelgrave. Council had approved the principle of making the application at its Dec. 21 meeting, but at that time had asked the application seek additional funding for back- flow preventer valves for all households. But Nicholson, and Gary Pipe,Morris-Turnberry’s director ofpublic works, agreed the valvesweren’t needed except forcommercial and multi-unit connections. There’s a high failure rate in the valves, Nicholson said, that makes them additionally expensive. While deletion of the backflow valves from the application will save money, council learned it will have to ask for funding for a meter- reading device at a cost of$12,000. Originally it had been hoped tomake use of the unit North Huron will use in Wingham and Blyth as well as its portion of Belgrave. But Nancy Michie, administrator clerk- treasurer said investigation had showed it was impossible for North Huron to download the electronic readings to Morris- Turnberry’s computer system forbilling.Mayor Paul Gowing said this wasunfortunate since there are only 108customers on the Morris-Turnberry side of Belgrave to share the cost of the reader. Michie said staff felt it was a good idea to put the cost of the reader into the grant application, then explore other alternatives before the work actually has to be done. By Keith RoulstonThe Citizen Huron East councillors prepare wish lists for term In addition to Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan’s thoughts on reshaping the municipality (see page one), several other priorities were discussed as part of council’s second strategic planning meeting on Jan. 18. In addition to large-scale issues such as economic development, business retention and expansion and road maintenance, issues such as the Brussels Library and the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre were also listed by several councillors as priorities. Councillors were asked to list items they felt were important to Huron East in the next year, as well as the next four years. A list of all the concerns was compiled and presented to council by Huron County planner Sandra Weber. Several councillors felt that the Brussels Library was a situation that needed addressing and that perhaps enough time had passed that another public meeting was warranted. Several councillors felt that too much had happened since the last meeting and that circumstances around the decision that was made several years ago had changed drastically. Now with Brussels Public School slated for closure by the Avon Maitland District School Board and several issues tied to black mold at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre, a possible tie-in of all those facilities would warrant further public consultation. Councillor David Blaney said that a letter should be coming to council within the next month asking for just that, another public meeting, from the Brussels Recreation Board. He said the group would be asking for a new meeting within the next 60 days. Abi Corbett of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre presented the issues she felt were important pertaining to the centre at council’s first strategic planning meeting on Jan. 4. She stated that there were significant problems that had been discovered in terms of black mold in the walls. She said that it had been discovered in certain parts of the arena and that it could very well be in other areas, but the drywall would have to be taken down to investigate it further. The problem, Corbett said, is ice buildup and then when the weather is back to being mild, water runs freely into the building. She stated that in addition to the problems facing the arena, there are also several proposals on the table to expand the arena to include accessible change rooms and a new food booth. However, should a decision to be made to link the library with the arena, the entire project would have to be re-evaluated. MacLellan thought that if a major overhaul was in the cards for the arena, that perhaps the location of the arena should also be considered. That, however, was not an immediate concern. It was deputy-mayor Joe Steffler who said that the fate of the library should be put in the hands of the Brussels citizens. He said he wouldn’t be comfortable making a decision on the arena or the library until the public had been consulted once again. Other issues that were discussed as part of strategic planning for the next four years were the municipality taking over Huron East’s recreation centres, in that they would pay for upgrades and expansion in the same way they would with any other municipal building instead of asking citizens to fundraise. Councillors also discussed the need to establish a firm stance on wind turbines, establish more industrial land, create a marketing plan to attract residents and companies, expand recreation to include different sports and activities and the ongoing search for a new chief administrative officer/clerk to replace Jack McLachlan, who will be retiring later this year. By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Buried There was no shortage of snow in the area over the weekend as it’s been that kind of winter so far. Jack Caldwell of Blyth was one of the many area residents who were left to dig themselves out of the white stuff over the weekend. (Jim Brown photo) Mark Twain comes to Heritage Theatre The Wingham Heritage Theatre will be hosting a thought-provoking new experience on Sunday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m., “An Afternoon with Mark Twain” starring Patrick C. Smith. Smith began performing as a young man in England and studied at the London School of Music and Drama. He landed his first professional role in Oxford at age 17 and has been involved in all aspects of theatre ever since. He has appeared in or directed (sometimes both) nearly 90 productions at amateur and professional levels, since he came to Canada as a young man. In 1973, Smith founded the Grey Wellington Theatre Guild, serving as Artistic Directors for 20 years. His one man show “An Evening with Mark Twain” was the Guild’s inaugural production. Travel back in time and experience the wonderful acoustics of the historic Wingham Heritage Theatre as it would have been in the early 1900s. No added sound, just the voice of Smith filling the theatre as Mark Twain’s would have in his day. For more information about this fundraiser for the Wingham Friends of the Library and the Wingham Heritage Theatre call the box office at 519-357-4082 or members of Wingham Friends of the Library. Mark and Samuel Patrick C. Smith will be headlining “An Afternoon With Mark Twain” at the Wingham Heritage Theatre on Feb. 13. The show will be a fundraiser for the Wingham Friends of the Library and the Wingham Heritage Theatre. (Photo submitted)