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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-04-01, Page 29THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2010. PAGE 29.A request to release one of HuronCounty’s gravel claims has been tabled until more information about the actual gravel pit can be obtained. The motion, presented to Huron County’s committee of the whole at its March 10 meeting, came from civil engineering technologist Mike Alcock and asked that the gravel pit, located in Usborne, be released by the county. Alcock said the owner of the property wants to sell to another family member, but they were hoping the property would be clear of any ties to the county when the sale cleared. With tough economic decisions facing the county, however, several councillors felt the pit shouldn’t be released for no compensation until the amount of gravel left in the pit is accurately assessed. Councillor Bernie MacLellan said he felt like he didn’t have enough information to make a decision. This was a sentiment that was echoed by several other councillors. Alcock said that while the pit used to produce gravel for the county beginning in 1931, Huron County has not been utilizing the pit for economic reasons for decades. He said that because of the time that has elapsed, there would be costs involved in taking gravel from the pit once again and that it is most likely not worth it when the grade of gravel the county needs can be purchased at low prices from outside pits. “Do we have an idea of the value?” asked MacLellan. “I’d liketo see a report on the potential valueand the price tag to rehabilitate thepit before we release it, then they candecide if they want to buy us out.” Councillor John Bezaire asked what the initial cost to the county was when the rights to the pit were first purchased and assessed whether they got their money’s worth out of the pit or not. Director of public works Dave Laurie said the rights to the pit were purchased by Huron County around 1930 for $1,000. “We just have to assess whether we’ve received our $1,000 worth in the 50 years that we used the site,” he said. “I think we’ve received the value on our investment of the time.”MacLellan, however, wasn’tcontent with that explanation, sayingthat if the county happened to comeout on top of a deal in this situation, there is no reason it shouldn’t be utilized. “I’m not really concerned with the cost at the time,” MacLellan said. “Over the years council has made so many bad deals, so if we made a good one this time, I don’t have a problem with that.” Alcock said he would attempt to assess the costs associated with liability for the pit, costs to rehabilitate the pit and how much gravel could potentially still be in the pit for the next meeting of Huron County council. 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(Shawn Loughlin photo) By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen In the wake of OPP Constable Vu Pham’s murder, which occurred in Huron East, councillor Bob Fisher expressed his wishes that something in the municipality be named after him. At the March 16 meeting of Huron East council, Fisher said that he would like to see a park or street named after Pham to honour his service to the community. “In the future, I’d like to see a new street in Seaforth or a new park in Seaforth named after him,” he said. “I hear he was a great citizen of Huron County. Is there any way we can stipulate this for future councils?” Unfortunately, clerk-administrator Jack McLachlan said, there is no way to stipulate such a thing for future councils. McLachlan, however, said he would bring some ideas back to council, perhaps a tree in a Seaforth memorial garden. McLachlan also said that OPP Constable David Mounsey, who died in a single vehicle collision several years ago in Huron East as well should also be honoured and remembered. Mounsey, who was from Blyth, was travelling near Walton when he lost control of his car. McLachlan says he will prepare a report to be approved by council for an upcoming meeting evaluating the options available to council in order to honour and remember these two fallen police officers. By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Officers to be remembered