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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-12-08, Page 26PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2011. Lisa Thompson, Huron-Bruce MPP petitioned the House to listen to the residents of Port Elgin on Nov. 27 in Toronto who are opposed to the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) industrial wind turbine project. An industrial wind turbine is being built in the middle of Port Elgin by the CAW at their Family Education Centre. In the six years since the project has been given approval many residential homes have been built in the area, meaning that the turbine will not be following the 550-metre setback rule set in government regulation. “I fully support the resolution put forth by the Saugeen Shores Council, and was pleased to present petitions to the Ontario Legislature from residents of Port Elgin who are opposed to this project being sited less than the government approved 550 metres from their homes,” said Thompson. Late last week, Thompson addressed the President of the CAW, Ken Lewenza, and asked him to consider the health, wellness and wishes of the local residents and to re-locate the project. Thompson is as concerned as area residents that the setbacks could be harmful to families as a third-party health and environmental study has not been completed. Thompson’s colleague PC MPP Todd Smith (Prince Edward- Hastings) tabled a private members’ bill on Nov. 27 which would restore municipal control for the siting of industrial wind turbines back to local communities where it belongs. It was voted down however. “I am pleased to support my colleague’s private member’s bill which will give the power back to municipalities that was stripped away in the Green Energy Act,” said Thompson. “Each municipality is unique and knows what is best for them—not the provincial government. I will be speaking adamantly in favour of this bill this Thursday when it is called for debate, and will be pleased to vote in favour of it.” Continued from page 18 decided to establish a leadership committee and expand its scope and areas of interest. The new Wingham Business Alliance executive is: Bruce Stainton, President (Stainton’s Hardware); Trish Trenter, Vice President (The Laundry Room); Jason Schiestel, Treasurer (Petropolis): Sandy Woodcock, Secretary (Wingham Advance Times). The data was collected from 52 out of a total of approximately 130 business owners in Wingham and the surrounding area. The project occurred under the leadership of the Township of North Huron in partnership with the Huron Business Development Corporation, Huron County and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). This report and the action plan are available on the website at: www.northhuron.ca No fine for Brussels man Neil McTaggart of Brussels pled down to a charge of Interfering with the Lawful Use of Property on Nov. 17 in Wingham court and was given just 12 months of probation. In sentencing McTaggart, Judge R.G.E. Hunter opted not to impose the suggested $250 fine and instead just gave the 73-year-old man probation. The incident occurred on May 1 when police were called to Brussels because McTaggart was seen lighting a fire on a village sidewalk. Crown Attorney Trish McCarthy said the first fire McTaggart had started was extinguished by a neighbour who poured a bucket of water on it. McTaggart, however, then started a second fire that grew to be “out of control” and the Brussels Fire Department was called to put it out. Both fires were started within 50 feet of a gas station, McCarthy said. The damage in question was done to the sidewalk, however, McCarthy said, there was no permanent damage done so no restitution was being sought. McTaggart was originally charged with Mischief under $5,000, but upon suggestion from Hunter, pled down to the interference charge because there was no permanent damage for the municipality to recoup. Duty Counsel Lynn Johnston said McTaggart admitted that lighting the fires was “foolish” and he said that he wouldn’t be doing it again. Johnston also said McTaggart told her that he didn’t really even know why he lit the fire in the first place. Johnston stated that there were no medical or mental health issues in the case, but that because he doesn’t drive, McTaggart would have a tough time making regular appointments with a probation officer and asked Hunter to take that into account. Hunter then handed down the sentence of 12 months probation with no fine, despite McCarthy’s suggestion of a $250 fine. FRAUD AND THEFT Wendy Adams was found guilty of Fraud and Theft over $5,000 in connection with an incident stemming back to December of 2008. Adams had been charged with the care of her elderly uncle starting one year earlier. She would earn several hundred dollars each month in exchange for taking care of him, feeding him and transporting him to medical appointments. However, in the August to September of 2008 range, the victim was admitted to a psychiatric centre in London and several inquiries made by his family to Adams went unanswered. McCarthy says it was at that time that the family became suspicious and went to London to visit the man. When in London, the man’s family went to a local bank to check on the state of his finances and realized over $14,000 was unaccounted for. After further investigation, McCarthy said, that number was reduced to $7,000 unaccounted for and then eventually down to $4,000, the amount Adams was eventually charged with taking. Adams pled guilty to the charges and was ordered to pay back the money at the rate of $109 per month with the entire amount to be paid within 35 months. Duty Counsel Lynn Johnston said that Adams had already made a $200 payment, so the total amount to be paid back was $3,800. Hunter gave Adams a suspended sentence but ordered a three-year probation order associated with the charges. Hunter also said that as a condition of the probation that Adams is not to hold any position of trust, whether it be with another Thompson speaksagainst turbine at Toronto meeting Report presented Looking on Anne Elliott, right, and Steve Cook, front, were part of the large cast of local actors taking the stage in Duncan McGregor’s The Best Gift Of All at Blyth Memorial Hall. The Goderich fundraiser was in town for several performances last week and won rave reviews from residents and visitors alike. (Vicky Bremner photo) Have We Got Your Number? The Citizen is now planning its 2012-2013 Telephone Book. Is your number correct in the recently delivered Bell Canada phone book? Do you have a new listing since that book was compiled? If so, please let us know so we can make our phone book as complete and useful as possible. Call 519-523-4792. WANT TO ADD YOUR CELL PHONE LISTING? If you would like your cell number listed in our listings we can add it if you give us the information and pay a $5 service fee in advance at either our Blyth or Brussels offices. See videos from the Brussels Santa Claus Parade on our website at www.northhuron.on.ca See videos from the Brussels Santa Claus Parade on our website at www.northhuron.on.ca Continued on page 27