Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-05-13, Page 17THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2010. PAGE 17. Continued from page 16 funding. Parent Bernice Weber Passchier, in her public delegation, urged trustees not to remove Wallace’s students from their familiar surroundings. “Using the existing Wallace Public School land would be more economical” than building on a newly purchased property within Listowel’s urban limits, Weber Passchier argued. She added that a number of “Conservative Mennonite” families within the school community would probably opt for establishing their own home- school or private school options, rather than send their kids into the urban centre. Additionally, if the board fails to secure funding for the new school, Weber Passchier stressed that closure or major changes at Wallace should not become part of an alternative plan. “We would not support splitting boundaries and moving portions of the student body to Howick or Elma,” she said. Asked by trustees what will happen if funding is not secured in North Perth, education superintendent Mike Ash predicted that another Accommodation Review process would probably ensue. And it would probably include an examination of potential changes at Elma and Wallace. But he stressed that would not happen for at least four or five years. Later, speaking about the series of errors uncovered in staff’s initial analysis of both the HENP and Bluewater/South Huron proposals, Baird-Jackson admitted that, for some reason, the “on the ground capacity” numbers for Wallace were misrepresented in all scenarios. She repeated her assertion, however, that “in fact, the revised figures don’t change the text of the report, and they don’t change the materiality of the recommendations.” In an interview after the meeting, Baird-Jackson added, “obviously, we’re not happy with the errors. And are we looking at a process to bring about improvements? Certainly.” Members of the public are still welcome to make delegations to the board during regular meetings May 11 at South Huron District High School in Exeter, and May 25 and June 8 at the board’s Seaforth headquarters. Gaol receives funding Londesborough residentsair grievances to council The Huron Historic Gaol has been approved for a grant up to $313,188 for a conservation project with matching funds to be provided by the Huron County capital reserve. Huron County’s Cultural Services Director Beth Ross made the announcement to Huron County council at its May 5 meeting. Ross said the project consists of the masonry restoration of the stone at the Gaol’s north entry portico, exterior walls and Governor’s house. The furnace boiler and fire alarm system will also be replaced. Further details on the project are coming from Parks Canada and all the work must be completed in just under one year, by March 31, 2011. The Gaol is currently celebrating its 35th anniversary of being designated as a National Historic Site. The Gaol is Huron County’s only National Historic Site. School board ‘not happy’ with errors says Baird-Jackson Continued from page 1provider answer the call. “The Blyth department is a kilometre away, while the Clinton department is 10 miles down the road,” he said. The volunteer fire departments of both Blyth and Clinton are excellent but it is a simple straight forward solution to have the closest department answer the fire call. Wayne McClinchey said it is not an issue of money, but rather an issue of jurisdiction. “I can see the Blyth Fire Department from where I live, I can’t see the Clinton department,” he said. All the people of north Hullett are asking is to receive the same fire coverage as the people of Clinton receive, he said. Heather Van Dorp said it has been the spirit of the people that have built communities and everything they entail, including the volunteer fire departments. These fire departments were built to serve the people closest to them, she said, the people of the former Hullett Township have ties with the village of Blyth and the people expect and deserve the same level of fire coverage they have received in the past. “You say you have negotiated with North Huron in good faith, but I hope you are comparing apples to apples,” she said. Central Huron is going to build a new arena in Clinton, but cannot pay the extra money to provide fire coverage to north Hullett which means “[the municipality’s] leisure is more important our safety,” she said.She added that even the garbage of northern Hullett is more important than fire protection. Speaking on behalf of the people of Londesborough, Keith Allen reiterated that response time should be the municipality’s first priority. “The first four to five minutes are the most important,” he said. He said to get to the main intersection of Londesborough it takes the Clinton department eight minutes, while it takes the Blyth department four minutes. “That is four minutes less time,” he said. “That is a considerable and dangerous amount of time,” he said. Allen said they are also concerned about the loss of medical first response, because there is a school, a feed mill and other businesses in the hamlet, where people are gathered. The people of Hullett, living on Winthrop Road, have received fire protection and medical first response from Blyth for more than 20 years. He indicated that the Huron County Emergency Services have endorsed the Blyth Fire Department as a first response unit. Ken Scott said it is a matter of distance when it comes to fire protection. Living on the Hullett-McKillop Road, he said he lives six kilometres from the Blyth fire department and 15 kilometres from the Clinton department. He noted that a few minutes could make all the difference in the world when talking about saving a residence or a person’s life. He presented a petition to council, signed by area residents.Rick Elliott said a longer response time could result in loss of some property and even people. He said that first response by the Blyth department is an integral part of emergency medical service in Huron County. “Are the lives of the people of this area not worth $37,000?” he asked. As vice-president of operations for Sparling Propane, Steve Sparling said Sparling is the second largest propane company in Ontario and its employees are involved in safety committees whereever they are. He said costing is only one factor in the dispute. “We expect leadership from the councils of Central and North Huron to come with a solution.” he said. There is a serious concern for Sparling when it comes to fire protection as the Clinton department is 18 kilometres away while the Blyth department is one kilometre away. “This is not about something new, it is about emergency response for the people,” he said. “The solution is about the people.” Speaking on behalf of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture, President Wayne Black said there are members who are concerned about the changes in their fire service. Central Huron Fire Chief, Steve Cook said has always been the department’s intent to keep things the way they are. Dykstra said they are waiting for the results of the consultant. All members of council said they felt Blyth should cover the area. Let’s dance Lesley Walker-Fitzpatrick, right, was at Hullett Central Public School last week, conducting her Introduction to Dance workshop. The workshop, which is part of the Artitudes program, through the Foundation of Education, got the school’s Grade 5 class up and moving to say the least. From left: Raquel Ormeno, Ryan Edward-Kiss, Tristan Rhoads, Chandler Wilts, Brittney Lowey and Walker Fitzpatrick. (Aislinn Bremner photo) LARGE ITEM PICKUP 2010 FOR THE URBAN AREAS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF MORRIS-TURNBERRY The Municipality of Morris-Turnberry is hosting a “Large Item Pickup” or “Treasure Swap” Day for all of the residents in the URBAN AREAS on FRIDAY, MAY 14TH, 2010 If you have any large items you would like to give away or dispose of, set them out at the Curb by 9:00 am on Friday, May 14th, 2010. Please identify items that are available to be “swapped” by tying a piece of material on them.Any person looking for items must remember that only the items identified with a piece of material are available for taking. The Municipality is not responsible for items accidentally removed by error, so all residents should ensure that all items are correctly labelled or removed from the area. Any items not “swapped” by Monday, May 17th, 2010, will be collected on Monday, May 17th, 2010 commencing at 9 am and transferred to the Landfill site. If you wish to save any item not taken, please remove them from the curb before 9 am on Monday, May 17th, 2010 morning. Items that are available for collection are: ♦ Household furniture ♦ Appliances ♦ Barbecues ♦ Rototillers or other gardening tools ♦ Lawnmowers ♦ Lawn chairs and tables ♦ Clothing ♦ Refrigerators, freezers or air conditioners — only with a “Freon Free” sticker. The following items WILL NOT be picked up: ♦ Regular Household garbage ♦ Recycling materials ♦ Construction or Demolition Debris ♦ Tires ♦ Agricultural Waste MEETING NOTICE MUNICIPALITY OF MORRIS-TURNBERRY The upcoming Council and Committee meetings for the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry will be held: Tuesday May 18 at 7:30 p.m. Regular Council Meeting Monday May 31 at 7:30 p.m. Emergency Planning Meeting Tuesday June 1 at 7:30 p.m. Regular Council Meeting Tuesday June 22 at 7:30 p.m. Regular Council Meeting in lieu of June 15