HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-12-10, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009. PAGE 11. Central Huron’s reeve BertDykstra is Huron County’s new
warden, beating out Morris-
Turnberry mayor Dorothy Kelly at
Huron County council’s inaugural
session on Dec. 2 in Goderich.
Dykstra, who was nominated by
Goderich’s deputy-mayor John
Grace, has been involved in Huron
County politics for over a decade.
Grace called Dykstra a true
gentleman, saying he “has a passion
and commitment to his community
and he’s ready to represent Huron
County.”
Grace also stated that Dykstra had
the full support of Central Huron
council to pursue this endeavour.
Dykstra said that he felt he
wouldn’t rule over the council, but
that he would govern the county with
council, looking at his fellow
councillors as partners.
“As one of you, I have the same
concerns and I have the same
feelings of pride in Huron County,”
he said. “I think we understand each
other.”
Dykstra assured the rest of council
that he is not a rash person and that
all of his decisions will be
considered extensively.
In addition to his decision-making,Dykstra said that he wants toembrace the four pillars of HuronCounty (agriculture, manufacturing,tourism and culture), but that changeis coming and it is council’s job to be
ready for it.
“Change is inevitable and we
should relish it and accept it,” he
said.
Upon being elected, Dysktra said
he was excited to take on the
position “I feel very honoured and
privileged. Thank you so much for
this opportunity. I have big shoes to
fill.”
Dykstra said that the big shoes he
has to fill were not just those of
former warden Ken Oke, but of the
past wardens over the last five years
since Huron County warden became
an official political position.
“I think we have a very unified and
cohesive council,” he said. “This
exemplifies how blessed we are in
this county.”
Before Dykstra was elected
warden, Oke directed council to take
a vote on bylaw 26 of 2009, which is
a procedural bylaw for council,
guiding council through its
meetings.
Oke said he wanted the new
warden to take over the council with
a fresh start and it was important that
this matter be finalized before theelection of a new warden.Councillor John Bezaire, however,felt more discussion was needed andmoved a motion to table the bylaw.His motion, however, was defeated
and the bylaw was eventually carried
by a vote of 13 votes for to four votes
against.
Oke said the inaugural session is
the hardest day of a warden’s term
and that it would be difficult to give
up his chair.
“The warden is so important for a
year, then someone takes over and he
gets ignored for the rest of the day,”
he said.
Also feeling the sting was Kelly,
who after spending nearly a quarter
of a century in Huron County
politics, was beat out for the position
of warden.
Nominated by Goderich’s mayor
Deb Shewfelt, Kelly had considered
the decision thoroughly and felt it
was her time to head up Huron
County council.
“The position has moved around
the county and it’s time this should
happen,” Shewfelt said. “[Kelly] has
done an exceptional job on a
challenging position, chair of the
Accessibility Advisory Committee.”
Kelly agreed that the northern
municipalities of Huron County
deserved a chance to have a
representative at the top.
“I believe it’s time to have a
warden from the northern
municipalities,” she said. “I have the
time and I am fully committed.”
Dykstra officially began his term
as Huron County warden yesterday
(Dec. 9) at the first day of the
council’s committee of the whole
meeting in Goderich.
Central Huron reeve new county warden
A new warden in town
Bert Dykstra, Huron County’s new warden, is presented
with his chain of office by former warden Ken Oke. Dykstra
was elected warden at the inaugural session of Huron
County council on Dec. 2 in Goderich, beating out Morris-
Turnberry mayor Dorothy Kelly. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen
At their Dec. 1 council meeting,
Morris-Turnberry councillors
approved the preparation of final
drawings for renovations to the
washrooms at the municipal
building to comply with new
accessibilty standards.
The changes will enlarge one of
the two washrooms to create a
unisex washroom accessible for
people in wheelchairs.
As part of the accessibility
changes, required for the new year,
part of the office counter will also be
lowered to make it easier for those
who are in a wheelchair to do
business with municipal staff.
But councillors questioned the
need to put an automatic door
opener on the doors leading to the
council chamber and asked chief
building official Steve Fortier to get
more information.
“It seems ridiculous to put an
opener on a door that’s always
open,” said deputy-mayor Jim
Nelemans, noting that the only time
the door to the council chambers is
closed is when coucil is meeting in
closed session.
***
Fortier reported that to the end of
November there had already been
more building permits issued than in
all of last year. More than $1 million
worth of building permits were
issued in November including a
large livestock barn, a house and a
temporary residence. Building
permit fees are up substatially from
2008, he said.
***
Council approved the insurance
quote for 2010 from BFL Canada for
$56,349.24, an increase of 2.93 per
cent.
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THE CITIZEN STOPS ALONG THE WAY THE RURAL VOICE
Morris-Turnberry council briefs
Council approves final drawings
On Nov. 23 the members of the
Walkerburn Club met at the home of
Audrey Boonstoppel with nine
present.
Mrs. Boonstoppel was the
president of the month and read
poems, Quilting Fever and
Wintertime of Wonder. She followed
with prayer.
Eileen McClinchey read the
minutes of the last meeting. Deanna
Snell gave the treasurer’s report for
Ila Cunningham who could not
attend the meeting. Roll call was
answered with Christmas plans.
The sail boat quilt will be given to
the Wingham hospital gift store,
with a request the funds raised be
given to the cancer unit.
It was decided that the next quilt
will be One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
and Dorothy Schneider and Vera
Penfound are to have the blocks
ready to hand out at the next
meeting on Jan. 11.
Christmas cards were signed for
some former members of the club
and community.
The January meeting is to be held
at the home of Mrs. McClinchey
with Pat Hunking as president of the
month. Christena Gross will supply
the lunch and Mrs. Schneider the
program.
Mrs. Boonstoppel was the
auctioneer for a very successful
auction sale. The money raised will
go to the Salvation Army and the
Red Cross.
Lunch was served by Mrs.
Hunking and the hostess, followed a
social time.
BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED
Walkerburn quilt goes
to Wingham hospital
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Alzheimer’s
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Signs to look
out for