HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-12-04, Page 31Library hours may be extended atsome branches, but not all countycouncillors, nor apparently eventhose on the board, agree with theproposal.
At the Nov. 26 meeting of county
council the recommendation to
consider the extended hours at
budget was carried.
However, councillor Neil Vincent
of North Huron noted, “The vote to
increase the hours was not
unanimous at the board, so in
discussions at budget some
councillors will likely make
comments at that time.”
The total cost per year will be
$49,548. Extended hours are set for
Bayfield, Clinton, Exeter, Howick
and Zurich, as high priority and
Seaforth and Wingham as medium
priority.
Councillor Bill Siemon of Huron
East wondered if it didn’t make
more sense to increase hours at a
branch rather than increase the size.
“We suggested this be done for
Brussels, but were told we had to
have a bigger library. Now Brussels
is not one that’s having its hours
increased. I’m just wondering what
the thinking is on this.”
The information stated that the
board was going to wait to see the
impact of the new library for
Brussels before changing the hours.
County librarian Beth Ross said
that the results of a survey indicated
that people in Brussels didn’t feel a
change in hours were needed, but
that they might look at it differently
when the new library is built.
She added that extended hours arejust one way to serve the public.“We can’t substitute one way foranother.”As the library board isautonomous, Bluewater councillorBill Dowson wondered what happened at budget. Warden John Bezaire of CentralHuron said that council does havethe authority to challenge this. “Iwould assume then the board wouldbe forced to find another way to dowhat they’d like to do.”THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2008. PAGE 31.
A busy schedule had one county
councillor asking his counterparts to
think again.
At the Nov. 26 meeting, Goderich
councillor John Grace raised the
issue of absenteeism and
honorarium.
“I’m asking council to reconsider
or give a second thought on what I
believe would be a vote of fairness
and balance.”
It had been decided that
councillors must attend 75 per cent
of the council meetings to receive
their pay.
His summer work schedule,
however, resulted in his only being
at 72 per cent of the actual meetings.
However, Grade added that this
doesn’t take into consideration the
time spent at other council
responsibilities, which he estimated
added up to an additional 30
meetings.
“Accountability and committment
I don’t believe should be reflected in
just meetings.”
A two-thirds vote was required to
open discussion on changing the
policy.
Only a small number of
councillors agreed to give Grace his
chance for further debate.
“It’s a dead issue, Councillor,”
said warden John Bezaire of Central
Huron. “I apologize.”
Library bd. hopes to extend hours
No grace for Grace
Gone hunting
The second annual youth pheasant hunt took place last
weekend at the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area. Dozens of
young boys and girls started early Saturday morning to
receive lectures and refresher courses on safety before
taking to the fields to hunt real, live pheasants under the
supervision of both marshals and their own private mentor.
(Shawn Loughlin photo)
ONTARIO BALLET THEATRE
“The Best Family Event this Holiday Season”
Sunday, December 7 at 3 pm
BLYTH MEMORIAL HALL
Adult $27.30 ❅Children (12 and under) $15.75
Box Office:(519) 523-9300 or 1-877-862-5984
LAST
C
H
A
N
C
E
!
Walton Hall Board presents
A Walton Christmas
Community Concert
Sunday, December 7
at 2:00 pm
Walton Hall
Proceeds to Hall improvements
Happy 1st
Anniversary
Mary Ellen & Bryan
Gross
December 1, 2008
Love and Best Wishes
from the
Horne and Gross
families
Forthcoming
Marriage
Gary and Heather Dauphin
and
Aart and Greta deVos
are pleased to announce
the forthcoming marriage
of their children,
Rebecca Dauphin
and
Al deVos
The wedding will take place on
Saturday, December 6, 2008
at Brussels United
Church, 4 pm
Happy 85th
Birthday
Ruth Dougherty
December 6
From your family
By Bonnie GroppThe Citizen
Seeing what Huron has to offer
can’t be done in a day so the
county’s tourism representatives are
working to bring CBC’s Rick
Mercer back for a look at a different
county attraction.
In September The Mercer Report
spent a day filming at the Walton
motocross track. At the Nov. 26
meeting of county council
information provided explained that
tourism representatives Cindy
Fisher and Laurel Armstrong began
pitching story ideas to the producers
in 2006.
A list of 21 sites, events and
experiences based on earth, air, fire
and water themes was offered along
with story focus for Mercer and the
CBC writers to consider.
Walton’s track was chosen as the
first venture for Huron.
“This was a great promotion for
Walton,” said planning, agriculture
and public works committee chair
Bert Dykstra, Central Huron
councillor. “And now we’re
working on bringing him back to
Huron County to film at Ice Culture
in Hensall.”
“We should commend the
department for putting this
together.”
County wants Mercer back
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
Snow-women
Fran Bremner, left, and Nora Stephenson, Brussels
Citizens of the Year for 2008 dressed for the occasion on
Saturday for their part in the Brussels Santa Claus Parade.
(Shawn Loughlin photo)
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen