The Citizen, 2009-10-22, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2009. PAGE 9.
By MaryLou Stewart
The monthly general meeting of
the Royal Canadian Legion Branch
420 was held on Oct.13 with
President Crystal Taylor presiding.
Donations recorded over the past
two months included: Memorial Hall
Bell Fund, $200; Health Care
Heroes Radiothon, $50 each for
Clinton, Seaforth, Goderich and
Wingham Hospitals; District C
Bursary Fund, $250; District C
Hospital Fund, $250 and the Ladies’
Auxiliary Parkwood visit, $300.
Upcoming events in the work of
the Legion include: community
breakfast, Oct. 25; annual poppy
campaign, Oct. 31; Remembrance
Day church service, Nov. 8 at the
Blyth United Church and the
Remembrance Day Service at the
Memorial Hall, Nov. 11.
An evening of dinner and
entertainment will be held on Dec. 5
with more details to follow.
The Branch would like to
welcome new members, Heather and
Marlene Little who were initiated at
the September meeting.
Winners of the Early Bird
membership draw was Cole
Stewart.
Continued from page 6
needs to be sprayed with
environmentally-preferred products.
There is a cost to map, but it’s made
up for in the savings of less spray.”
Councillor Bernie MacLellan of
Huron East said that if the county is
going to order a clean up of weeds he
would like to see a minimum
standard for municipalities to follow.
“So that they did do due diligence to
what the county considers
appropriate action.”
Alcock said that there are some
municipalities that may be against
spraying of any kind. “We could help
them develop a mechanical plan that
would work.”
MacLellan asked if information
could be sent to lower-tier
municipalities of what is the county
procedure now. “It might be
beneficial.”
Bluewater councillor Jim
Fergusson felt it was a step in the
right direction. “I think it’s a good
approach to educate lower tiers and
give them time to consider.”
Councillor asks for standards
County council at its committee ofthe whole meeting Oct. 14 approveda recommendation to proceed with
the implementation of a mandatory
septic system program.
While some councillors feel
strongly that the time has come to
move forward with such a program,
there are others that worry about the
financial burden it could place on
some ratepayers.
Planner Susanna Reid said the
water protection steering committee,
Sept. 17, had a presentation fromB.M. Ross about sewage treatmentand septic systems, after which therecommendation to implement amandatory septic system inspectionprogram in the county was made.
Councillor Bernie MacLellan of
Huron East was the first, however,
to question how they would handle
the issue of ratepayers who couldn’t
afford to do the work required, “I
don’t think anyone doesn’t
understand the merit of such a
program. But if we force someone to
make changes and they don’t have
the financial means to do it, how do
we handle it?”Councillor Jim Fergusson ofBluewater noted that the countycould perhaps wait, as it’s possiblethe issue will become part of thebuilding code regulations in the
future.
Commencing on the costs of
implementing a program, councillor
Bill Siemon of Huron East
wondered if it didn’t make more
sense to wait if the county was going
to proceed with a mandatory
program.
Deb Shewfelt, councillor for
Goderich argued that the time to
begin the program was past due. Hesaid that when the program was putin place in Huron-Kinloss there hadonly been one “hardship” case. “Isthat a reason to hold this up?” hesaid, adding that applications for
assistance can be made through the
Clean Water program.
Councillor John Bezaire of
Central Huron too said it was time to
get things started, adding that the
county has often lead the way when
the province has talked about getting
initiatives started. “We have taken a
leadership role. And now we have
gone as far as we can with a
voluntary program. It’s time to getoff our duffs and do something.”Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanoshcouncillor Ben Van Diepenbeek alsofelt it was time to move on, withassistance. “We should have a
consultant lead us through. This is
not something we can start
tomorrow so we need to get started.”
While the mentioned timeline of
seven years, might be too ambitious,
he said, council did need to “go
forward and see how we can make it
work.”
Councillors Joe Seili of Huron
East and John Grace of Goderich
also stressed the importance of
proceeding, with Seili adding that by
dragging their feet, councillors
weren’t doing the ratepayers any
justice. “We’re doing them harm.”
Shewfelt suggested starting the
program with the lake residents.
“They are welcoming this.”
The planning department staff will
be bringing back a report for council
on how best to proceed.
By Jo-Ann McDonald
It has been a good week at the
Brussels Legion Branch with the
Cadets meeting on Tuesday evening,
the pipe band practising on
Thursday evening and a busy
weekend.
There is a correction to be made
concerning the early-bird winner for
the month of September. The winner
of her next year’s dues is Mabel
Willis, not Mabel Glanville. Sorry.
The Friday night supper of pork
chops had a great turnout of nearly
50 people and in celebration of
Oktoberfest, we will serve sausage
this week. The Just for Fun band will
be playing for the first time this fall.
The Brussels Legion Pipe Band
was at the Seaforth Legion on
Saturday morning. They were
participating in the Healthcare
Heroes Radiothon and the activities
hosted at the Seaforth Legion for the
Seaforth Hospital Foundation. The
band played and marched from the
lights to the Legion, then were part
of a very special presentation of
their own.
The Brussels Legion Pipe Band
received a $15,000 Trillium grant
this past summer for new kilts and
accessories. The presentation of the
Trillium Foundation plaque and
cutting of the presentation ribbon
was made by MPP Carol Mitchell
and Trillium representative Kathy
Pletch to Pipe Major Don Martin.
Congratulatory remarks were made
by Ms Mitchell, Ms Pletch, mayor of
Huron East Joe Seili, past president
of the Brussels Legion Jo-Ann
McDonald and Pipe Major Martin.
The Saturday afternoon euchre
had 6 1/2 tables of players hoping to
be winners.
The first-place team was Janet
Davies and Helen Nolan with 79
points. In second were Len and
Betty Archambault with 69 points
and third place went to Dorothy
Dalton and Delores Howatt with 67
points. An unusual tie for low prize
went to four folks: Joann
MacDonald, Dorothy Carter,
Deanna and George. The lone-hand
prizes went to Bush Whittard and
Ruth.
Congratulations to John Harrison
and Deb Cann who placed second in
mixed double darts held on the
weekend at Clinton Branch 140.
They will advance to District play
later in the year.
The Sunday night dance saw
around 90 enjoying the music of the
Country Versatiles. Helpers who
make these dances a success every
two weeks include Howard and
Audrey Hackwell, Judy Lee, Mabel
Glanville and Jo-Ann McDonald.
Bartending duties were looked after
by Doris Hood this week.
President John Lowe attended the
District convention this past
weekend. He made donations on
behalf of the Branch to the
Provincial Bursary, Charitable
Foundation and the Tri-County
Hospital Fund.
President John also made
donations to the Healthcare Heroes
Radiothon before leaving for
convention. The Brussels Legion
made donations of $250 each to the
Wingham, Seaforth, Clinton and
Listowel Hospital Foundations.
MADD is hosting a fish fry at the
Legion on Sunday so come out and
support their fundraiser.
All Comrades are asked to be at
the Legion at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday,
Oct. 31 to assist in the town poppy
canvass.
Drivers are required to transport
Cadets to the outlying villages a well
as to the farthest parts of the
town.
County closer to mandatory septic inspectionBy Bonnie GroppThe Citizen
At the Branch
Legion serves sausage for Oktoberfest
Blyth Legion holds meeting