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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-01-17, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2008. It’s good news for Belgrave residents. North Huron clerk-administrator Kriss Snell told council at the Jan. 7 meeting that Belgrave Waterworks will be receiving $14,832 per year over the next five years from the Ontario Small Waterworks Assistance program. “Everyone serviced by the system will get some relief,” said Snell. *** A petition was submitted asking council to consider snowplowing of the sidewalk on Maple Street in Wingham. After brief discussion it was decided to defer the issue to committee of the whole. *** A new agreement has been reached with the Barn Dance Historical Society for the next five years. “We told them that council’s intent is to operate the musuem during the summer with summer staff,” said Snell. “They were willing to partner with us on that.” *** In his report reeve Neil Vincent extended his gratitude to the recreation department staff on the success of the recent Hockey Days. “They deserve a lot of credit.” Disgruntled Morris Ward farmowner John Smuck presented bills toMorris Turnberry council, Jan. 8, for expenses incurred because of the inadequacy of a bridge leading to his farm. Smuck has had discussions with council since May 2007 on a number of grievances but particularly on the load limit on the nearly 100-year-old bridge on Blind Line. He told council that his feed company had recently been fined $6,000 for taking an overweight load over a restricted bridge so would not be able to deliver heavy loads to him in future. Using smaller trucks, Smuck said in past meetings, was costing him more because of higher truckingcharges.Public works co-ordinator BarryO’Kraftka asked Smuck if it was theweight limit on the bridge or thenarrow width that was his biggest complaint. Smuck said both made it hard to farm under modern conditions. Wide machinery has to be driven through the river but he wondered how much longer that would be allowed. Smuck refuted a comment by a councillor at a previous meeting that it would cost $1 million to rebuild the bridge for relatively few users. Smuck said he had spoken to Dave Johnson of Johnson Engineering who said it would likely cost in the neighbourhood of $500,000 to rebuild the bridge. O’Kraftka said B.M. Ross and Associates engineers were currentlylooking into the cost of replacing thebridge.At the last meeting, councillorssaid they wouldn’t be able to look atreplacement until budget time. Delaying the job will only increase costs, he said. In 1984 it would have cost $200,000 but now is much more. Smuck also complained about being charged interest on late payment of a bill for the Corrigan drain. There was no mention on the bill that interest would be charged, he said. Council said it would discuss Smuck’s issues later in the meeting. The items were raised in a closed session at the end of the meeting but no decisions were announced when council returned to public session. Farmer bills Morris-Turnberry Sometimes good intentions aren’t enough. The issue of banning smoking in cars when children are present was raised at county council by Morris- Turnberry councillor Dorothy Kelly at the Jan. 9 meeting. However, while the majority agreed with the idea, there was a general view that nothing could actually be done. Goderich councillor Deb Shewfelt thought the best direction council could get would be to refer it to the board of health for discussion and advice. Warden John Bezaire of Central Huron said that while he wouldn’t argue it was an important issue, he didn’t see how it could ever be enforced. Bill Siemon of Huron East argued that even if it could be policed, it was an extra burden the county didn’t need. “We aren’t getting paid by the province to enforce smoke-free Ontario. I don’t think we need to add anything.” While Huron East councillor Joe Seili supported the sentiment behind the motion to support the ban, he agreed that it’s going to be “hard to legislate common sense. This will be impossible to enforce.” The third Huron East councillor Bernie MacLellan raised another point. He noted that when discussion first began about the dangers of second-hand smoke, the information suggested it can take up to a week before the harmful gasses have dissipated. “So saying they can’t smoke when the children are actually in the car doesn’t serve any purpose. You’d have to ban them from smoking in the car, lock, stock and barrel.” Neil Vincent, North Huron councillor agreed with Shewfelt that this was something best left to the experts. “I think we’re going to cloud the issue if we don’t let the health unit carry this ball.” Noting that he would hate to see a vote that would “kill” the issue, Shewfelt said it should be tabled and deferred to the health board. Once tabled, there could be no further discussion. The motion was made to that effect and carried. County defers issue to board of health North-Huron council briefs Good news for Belgrave New look South Huron councillor Ken Oke, left, and Ben Van Diepenbeek of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh looked over some of the promotional material featuring Huron County’s new brand following the unveiling at county council Jan. 9. The day also featured the launch of the newly-designed county website. (Bonnie Gropp photo) 404 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 More books available at...The Citizen Make something delicious tonight! We have a wonderful selection of cook books 125 BEST CASSEROLE & ONE-POT MEALS Tips and recipes for hearty and tasty one-pot meals — everything from pot pies to casseroles. Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, seafood, there are recipes for whatever your taste, even vegetarian. $19.95 125 BEST GROUND MEAT RECIPES Ground meats are economical, tasty and versatile. This book gives tips and recipes on how to use everything from beef, turkey, chicken, pork and lamb to veal for burgers, meat loaves, casseroles, meat pies and more. $19.95 125 BEST INDOOR GRILL RECIPES With an indoor electric grill you can continue to cook interesting grilled meals year long. These recipes include everything from chicken and seafood to burgers, steaks and chops. Enjoy a whole new way of cooking. $19.95 COOKING AND BAKING FOR DIABETICS 220 easy and delicious recipes for everything from breakfasts and snacks to soups and salads to meats and seafoods — even desserts and baking. Plus tips on how to maintain a balanced diet. $29.95 THE NEW BREAD MACHINE BOOK From basic breads to whole- grain breads and fruit and vegetable breads, this book has recipes and tips for it all. $19.99 THE ORGANIC GOURMET Over 100 delicious organic recipes for everything from appetizers to soups to salads, meats, seafood and poultry, vegetarian dishes, condiments, breads and desserts plus information on organics. $19.95 By Bonnie Gropp The Citizen Look for the buildings in Huron East to multiply before too long. Chief building official Paul Josling, at time of publication, has received eight building permit applications, six more than he issued in all of January, 2007. Josling says there are many factors that could be at play in this number. “I think that the tax drop may have a little to do with it, but I don’t think it’s the only issue. If people can save a few thousand or a few hundred dollars on their house by waiting until Jan. 1, why not?” Josling said. While Josling says there is no particular trend in the permits, he says that most of the applications have been for housing. “I think that the price of lumber and all building material costs going down has a lot to do with it too, so I’m sure that’s helping,” he said. Josling is unsure whether this spike in applications is a sign of things to come in 2008 or if it is simply a spike for the beginning of the year, but he’s staying optimistic. “I sure hope it continues,” he said. “I don’t know if it will or not. I’m optimistic that it will though.” Building up in Huron East By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen By Keith RoulstonThe Citizen ON $5.00 THURSDAYS Drop into either of our offices any Thursday with your word classified (maximum 20 words) and pay only $5.00 + GST (paid in advance). That’s $1.00 off regular rates. The Citizen