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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-05-05, Page 28PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2011.Morris-Turnberry councilapproves going paperless After considering the idea since 2007, Morris-Turnberry council will move to a paperless agenda in the next few months. The decision at the April 28 meeting of council, came after Nancy Michie, administrator, clerk- treasurer, presented a budget showing it would cost about $8,500 to make the switch. She estimated that it now costs $3,500 a year to assemble, print and deliver agendas to the council members prior to their twice-monthly meetings. There can be more than 100 pages of background information in each package. Under the new system, councillors would have the information delivered through a secure e-mail system. Mayor Paul Gowing said a similar system has been working well at Huron County Council with even those who are not regular computer users being able to use the system. The budget calls for the purchase of laptop computers for councillors (Gowing will use his county- provided computer), an allowance of $25 per month to councillors to help pay for a high-speed internet connection or for supplies like paper to print off the agenda materials if they wish, as well as new software for the municipal office to allow the agendas to be sent. The move did cause some debate. “My problem is it’s going to be so easy to put stuff in the agenda,” said Councillor Neil Warwick. “The click of a button can add 40 pages.” Deputy-Mayor Jason Breckenridge said that speaking with people at the Ontario Goods Roads Association convention, he heard that several municipalities using electronic agendas had experienced that problem. But Michie said only material relevant to the business before council at that meeting will be circulated. Gowing gave his support to the idea. “It will free up staff time from preparing and delivering paper agendas,” he said prior to the vote. By Keith Roulston The Citizen The Central Huron Fire Department will be growing slightly in the coming year. Fire Chief and CEMC Steve Cooke has appeared at Central Huron Council several times in the last year to discuss the need for additional firefighters in the department and on April 28, council made an official recommendation. The recommendation was made by Central Huron’s Committee of the Whole that the department grow from 20 members to 22 by the end of the year. Cooke said that the increase will not have any impact on the 2011 budget, which has yet to be officially passed by council. The recommendation, however, will have to be passed officially by council at the May 9 meeting. Cooke says he envisions hiring one more firefighter over the summer and then adding the second new firefighter by the end of the year. Cooke raised concerns several months ago, not with the competency level or the number of firefighters in the department, but with availability. He said that despite having 20 members, due to the volunteer nature of the department, there were some times, weekends and busy times of the year, where not many of the firefighters were available. He said that adding an additional two firefighters would help to alleviate those concerns. By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen C. Huron Fire Department set to grow with new firefighters Fiddle action World-renowned fiddler Scott Woods performed with his band at Melville Presbyterian Church on Sunday. It is not his first time in Brussels, and it won’t be his last. In addition to last weekend’s “All Aboard” tour, he will return to Brussels on Dec. 3 for his “Old Time Christmas” tour. (Vicky Bremner photo) Hog Jog will support service dogs The sixth annual Ontario Pork Industry Council (OPIC) Hog Jog Pork for a Cause 10-kilometre run and 3.5 kilometre run/walk will take place Tuesday, June 21 at the Stratford Rotary Complex. The Hog Jog has raised over $122,000 over the past five years for different local causes. All 2011 pledges for the Hog Jog will be going to National Service Dogs Training Centre – to be used specifically for the training of Certified Service Dogs for children and families living with autism. This contribution to National Service Dogs (NSD) will be made in honour of Wanda Spruyt. “We hope many community members will feel a personal connection to the cause and do their part by participating or volunteering, in the 2011 Hog Jog”, said Wanda, a pork producer in Strathroy, Ontario and a long-time puppy raiser, event volunteer and supporter of NSD. The prevalence rate of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Canada is one in 110. Since 1996, NSD has been training Labrador and Golden Retrievers to assist children and families living with autism. Certified Autism Service Dogs improve socialization, suppress behavioural outbursts and increase safety levels by alleviating the bolting behaviours common in children with autism. For more information on NSD visit: www.nsd.on.ca The Weaner Run returns for its third year. This is a 500-metre free event for ages six and under. The five-kilometre run has been replaced with a traffic friendlier 3.5 kilometre run/walk. The shorter distance makes this a more family- friendly event. The Hog Jog is a unique event as one of the few charity runs to be held in the evening. The evening schedule allows us to celebrate our product with a post race pork meal for all participants and volunteers. Tickets for the meal may be purchased in advance or on run day while supplies last. Others may purchase tickets for the meal in advance or while supplies last. For further information on the Hog Jog, including registration, a course map, sponsorship opportunities or volunteering at Hog Jog, please go to www.hogjog.ca Pork for a cause Participants of the 2010 Hog Jog took off running to raise money for local charities and groups. This year’s event is set to take place in Stratford on June 21 and will raise funds for the National Service Dogs Training Centre to help train certified service dogs for children and families living with autism. (submitted photo) Furry Jenna Payne, left, and Jeremy Crocker were two students from Central Huron Secondary School (CHSS) who competed in a special environmental event at the Wawanosh Nature Centre in April. Secondary schools from across the board competed for a chance to show their environmental smarts at a provincial level by going to multiple stations and being tested on subjects like ecology and biology in the natural world. CHSS placed third, but did net the highest score at the Wildlife Ecostation. (Denny Scott photo)