HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-10-15, Page 2PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2009.
At their Oct. 6 meeting, Morris-
Turnberry councillors voted to delay
making a decision on a loan to the
Wingham Golf and Curling Club
until their Oct. 20 meeting.
Karen Burke, chair of the non-
profit club located in Morris ward
near Wingham and Robert Grein of
the club’s finance committee were
present to answer questions as
councillors considered a draft
agreement that would see the
municipality loan $250,000 to the
club and take a first mortgage on the
102-acre property which is assessed
at $1.1 million.
The loan would allow the club to
pay off its $55,000 line of credit to
CIBC and $50,000 owed to various
suppliers. Members have also loaned
the club $54,000 but Burke
suggested the club wouldn’t pay
these back immediately because
of some of the loans are interest-
free.
The draft agreement, worked out
at a Sept. 28 meeting between a
municipal group including mayor
Dorothy Kelly, deputy-mayor Jim
Nelemans and Nancy Michie,
administrator clerk-treasurer (with
Bill Vodden of Vodden, Bender and
Seebach sitting in) and Burke, Grein
and Steve Burke from the club,
would see the club pay back
the mortgage over 20 years
at the municipality’s rate of
interest.
Councillor Paul Gowing suggested
that given the fact the legal costs
would be the same no matter what
the size of the loan, it would be wise
to increase the amount of the loan
and mortgage to $300,000 to give
the club extra flexibility in case it
had an emergency, such as sudden
equipment repairs.
It was explained that the $250,000
amount already includes $50,000
that the club can call on if an
emergency arises.
But Nelemans had concerns about
making the loan at all.
“One of my concerns is we don’t
want to have to take over the club (as
security),” he said. “I don’t want
council to be the bad guys who have
to shut down the club (if the
financial problem gets worse).”
Burke said the club has
taken action to slash costs for the
curling season with only a part-time
club manager and volunteers taking
on tasks from tending bar to
cleaning. A full staff will be re-
employed come golfing season in
the spring.
Club members have been very
supportive with a recent fundraising
barbecue producing a $13,000 profit,
almost three times as much as last
year.
As well the club’s new finance
committee, which includes
accountants and business people, is
meeting monthly to review all
expenses.
“We’re going to start to make
money,” she said. “We’re going to
turn it around. I’m confident,”
It was Nelemans who made the
motion to delay the decision for
another meeting so council could
have more time to think about the
situation. Council supported the
motion.
By Jo-Ann McDonald
Happy Thanksgiving to all. The
Brussels Legion hope everyone had
a wonderful weekend with family
and a delicious Thanksgiving
dinner.
The weeks fly by and we draw
another week closer to the most
important event in the Legion year,
Remembrance Day. The annual
poppy campaign begins on Oct. 30
and the area canvass will be on
Saturday, Oct. 31 in the morning.
Comrades of Branch 218 along with
members of the Brussels Army
Cadet Corp 2967, will be
distributing poppies door to door, in
Brussels and surrounding villages.
It is the aim and hope of the Royal
CAnadian Legions, to have one and
all wear a poppy, in support and
Remembrance of those who served
and for those who died for their
country, in the armed conflicts of the
past and present.
Poppies are not sold, but are
distributed freely to all, with
donations gratefully accepted.
Donations are held in the poppy trust
account and are used for veterans’
comforts or needs in troubled times.
There is a strict criteria for the use of
poppy funds in the poppy
manual and any special use of funds
must be approved by Provincial
Command of the Royal Canadian
Legion.
Poppy funds cannot be used by the
Branch for Branch expenditures,
maintenance, etc.
Remembrance Day services will
be held on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at
the RCL Brussels Branch 218. As in
the past, many organizations and
individuals lay wreaths in memory
of those who proudly served our
country. They are laid in memory of
those who did not return, and in
memory of those who returned
changed from boys into men. They
returned to our community and their
families and to move forward with
their lives, raising families of their
own.
If there are families who wish to
honour and remember their loved
ones by laying a wreath in their
name, please contact the Branch for
information on obtaining a wreath.
Business or organizations that may
have been missed are also asked to
contact the Branch as soon as
possible.
The Friday night supper of roast
pork was enjoyed by over 40 hungry
folks. This week will be pork
chops.
Blind mixed darts will be
resuming at the end of OCtober.
They begin Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. This
night is open to anyone, members
and non-members, to come out and
have some fun, playing non
serious, no committed to teams night
out.
“Come ye thankful people
come…”
To the older crowd that’s a song
associated with Thanksgiving and
harvest while the younger ones
mutter, “What’s a harvest?” and also
“What’s a ye?” Both age groups
need to take the time to ponder our
daily lives.
As we enjoyed a feast and visit
with family and friends this pastweekend our minds have toappreciate the bounty. Yes we haveunemployment, sadness and illhealth in our midst, but we also havea peaceful country, a glorious part ofour Canada, with ever-changingscenery.Just the miracle of the colourchange of the leaves makes
you smile. The many practice
runs of the Canada geese
makes giving thanks a
must. Watching their organizational
skills and efficiency reminds me
that we have a lot to learn from
nature.
We have space to appreciate the
crops that our farmers grow for us
and for them we give thanks.
We have water that is drinkable
and that is also available for our
recreation.We have safety in our lives with noconcern for regular bomb and bullet attack, and we need toremind ourselves that it only takesone person to take away peace in ourlives.We have healthcare available toall, with never a thought ofmortgaging the farm for surgery.
Oh my yes, we are a privileged
people.
Take it as a challenge – each time
this week you start to complain
about the weather, your kids, the
price of milk, the behaviour of a
neighbour – stop. You have no
legitimate reason to bad mouth the
world that is yours.
Think of three other places you
could be living right now, then see if
your grouching makes sense.
If that doesn’t stop you, have achat with some of our people whohave spent time away, start withBrianne Wheeler or Tyler Jutzi andthey’ll tell you facts of the other sideof the world where things are not sogood.The Community Nurses who wentwith Stratford Rotary also willremind you that we live in a land
of bounty where life is good
in your space. Think beyond
yourself.
Check out the good stuff at the
United Church silent auction Friday
evening and Saturday afternoon. Get
your Christmas shopping started
now.
So enjoy the days of fall and
appreciate your family and friends
and all the blessings that we share.
Bye now, Betty G.W.
Brussels United Church
Start your Christmas shopping early
Something
for
Everyone
Over
200
items
Lunch
Booth
Friday, October 16
7 pm - 9 pm
Saturday, October 17
10 am - 2 pm
SILENT AUCTION
Protect
your vehicle
from winter
salt
BORRMANN’S
GARAGE
Oil Spraying
86924 Brussels Line,
Bluevale 519-335-3857
NEWS
FROM BRUSSELS
By BettyGraberWatsonCall 887-6236887-9231A NOTE FROM BETTY
Page for a day
Tim Waechter, a Grade 7 student was page for the Oct. 7
session of Huron County council. With Waechter, from left,
are: warden Ken Oke; Tim’s grandfather Joe Seili,
councillor for Huron East and his great-grandfather Max
Demaray, councillor for Howick. (Photo submitted)
Poppy campaign begins Oct. 30 in Brussels
At the Branch
M-T delays golf loan decision