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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-02-01, Page 16Huron East council is finding the temperature in arenas to be quite a hot topic at their meetings. They have also found that their hands are more or less tied on the matter. As previously reported by The Citizen, the issue of when, why and for how long the heaters in local are- nas should run was something that councillors felt needed to be looked at again in Huron East. The issue was brought to the table at the Brussels Morris and Grey recreation board meeting on Jan. 10, a meeting where many Huron East councillors were present. Councillors Alvin McLellan, Orval Bauer and Frank Stretton were present and it was Stretton who brought up the issue of heaters under new business. After a lengthy discussion, the board members noted they had received no written complaints and decided that the heater policy, which is to run the heaters when tempera- ture reaches minus four degrees, will stay the same and be reviewed again in 2008. Stretton brought this information back to council at its Jan. 24 meeting to inform council how their inquiries into the matter had fared. Councillor Larry McGrath called this situation a no-win for council and arena boards, stating that he would like to see the heaters removed from the arenas altogether. McGrath said if the heaters aren’t going to be used, then to avoid discussion and debate on the matter, they should be removed and given back to those who donated them. There was discussion among councillors as to whether the policy should be posted in the arenas. The idea behind this would be that if peo- ple know the policy, they will realize that it is not a judgement call by the arena manager. There was also discussion as to whether the reasons the heaters stayed off were monetary. This was something that was only speculation, but councillor Joe Steffler said that if the reasons are monetary, then they are the wrong reasons. After a long and heated discus- sion, councillor David Blaney spoke up, saying that council brought it to the arena boards and that was all they could do. No new motions were created on the matter. PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2007. Arena temperatures a hot topic in Huron East Cruising The Stage 2 skaters invited everyone to come along on a Sea Cruise as they did their routine to the crowd on hand for the Brussels Skating Club’s carnival, Hot, Hot, Hot, on Sunday. (Vicky Bremner photo) Tribute A special presentation was made at Brussels Skating Club’s carnival this past Sunday to coach Faye MacDonald who is retiring after decades of teaching thousands of young skaters, through many generations. She started at the Brussels Figure Skating Club in the fall of 1963. Some of her students went on to achieve national and international status. With MacDonald, centre, are coaches Michelle Blake, left, and Shannon Craig. (Vicky Bremner photo) BBLLYYTTHH PPRRIINNTTIINNGG IINNCC.. BLYTH 523-9211 PRINTING IS OUR BUSINESS • Colour • Business Printing Forms • Posters • Brochures • Letterheads • Flyers • Envelopes • Carbonless • Business Forms Cards • Labels WE CAN DO IT ALL! By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen It’s still not certain whether Wingham will be a satelitte court for the province. The agreement from the province for rental of the council chambers for monthly criminal courts being sent back for clarification. The agreement which has gone from four pages to a dozen would be effective until 2011. The police board has identified three major con- cerns. First is that the monthly fee will cover all expenses borne by the municipality. Second the board wants an annual inflation clause for each year. Finally, they want further clarifi- cation for the term “standard prac- tice”. At the Jan. 22 meeting of North Huron council, clerk-administrator Kriss Snell said that it is primarily the requirements for security that have raised questions. “We might have to have four offi- cers present and that cost would be borne by us.” He explained that the province is trying to standardize the regulations. Councillor Archie MacGowan, who is vice-chair of the police serv- ices board said that he didn’t believe the agreement would be rejected. “I don’t think the police board is saying no. They’re not cutting off their nose to spite their face, because if it’s not here you then have the cost of pay- ing for officers to go to Goderich on court days.” Solos Several of the Brussels Skating Club members delighted the audience at the carnival on Sunday with solo performances. From left: Celeste Ryan, Kesley Smith and Tori Cardiff. (Vicky Bremner photo) By Bonnie Gropp The Citizen Court agreement stalled