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The Citizen, 2007-07-12, Page 1The CitizenVolume 23 No. 28 Thursday, July 12, 2007 $1.25 ($1.18 + 7c GST)Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Inside this week Pg. 6 Pg. 9 Pg. 11 Pg. 19 Pg. 27 Plowing Match turns 80 Local ball player off to nationals Saluting the area’s Grade 8 graduates Duff’s welcomes new minister ‘Queen Milli’ opens at Blyth Festival After a fairly lengthy discussion regarding a new job evaluation process at the Huron County council meeting, July 4, councillors passed a report that will see $146,000 more spent in salaries next year. Director of human resources Darcy Michaud gave a detailed report for a three-fold recommendation that would see senior managment personnel removed from the present grid, create a new grid and integrate this with the market-sensitive grid. Under the recommendation of a consultant the number of grids in the job evaluation process had been decreased. “This is so there is more fairness in the groups and it has worked out fairly well. However, there are certain anomolies that have occurred,” said Michaud. Primarily this is the potential for non-senior management people to move into senior management. “This was not ever meant to be and will be costly.” Anyone moving from the grid 10 to grid 11 would be getting a raise of about $1 per hour. The caveat to this, according to Michaud is that with the number that would be affected by this the cost would be an increase of $109,000 to the county. As well there would be two senior management team members moving up. The financial implication of this would be $26,000. “If we did absolutely nothing it will cost $135,000. By fixing this anomaly it will cost $11,000.” Michaud added that the $135,000 would almost certainly occur every third year. With the suggested recommendations there would be increases but they would be smaller and more equitable. Michaud was thanked by warden Deb Shewfelt for the work on this. “It keeps us moving ahead in a fair way.” County revamps salary grid Coming to a town near you... A 1930 Model A Roadster truck is helping to spread the word about Brussels Homecoming 2007 and its classic car show, taking place on the Saturday. Car show committee member Don McNeil has been transporting the vehicle from town to town, and leaving it parked at various locations in the area to advertise the event. “I’m hearing a lot of feedback,” he said. “And people certainly notice it.” The committee had discussed the idea and McNeil, who operates a body shop, came up with the “rat rod”. “This is unfinished in the rough, not meant for the road, the way guys are doing cars now.” Rat rods are becoming popular, said McNeil, adding that they typically have updated mothers, but the bodies are left in rough condition. “Even a little rust on it is good. There are some very nice ones from the 30s.” While the Homecoming version needs trailer help to get from here to there it has enjoyed a fairly extensive tour. McNeil said anyone who is planning a quick trip somewhere and is willing to tow the car with them and help promote Homecoming is welcome to contact him. The Blyth Festival board of directors is pleased to announce that Deb Sholdice will be leading the Blyth Festival administration team as the new general manager. Sholdice replaces Jane Gardner who leaves after 10 seasons with the company on Aug. 3 to work with Carousel Players in St. Catharines. Founded in 1975, the Blyth Centre for the Arts and Blyth Festival serves as an arts centre for Huron County in southwestern Ontario and produces a summer season of all-Canadian plays. The charitable, non-profit company has a budget of over $1 million and its full-time staff of five people grows to over 60 people each summer. Sholdice leaves her position with E.D. Smith & Sons to start work at the Festival on July 16. Her business experience includes leadership positions with Seaforth Creamery, Canadian Salt Company, New Orleans Pizza and Business Administration training at Georgian College. A resident of Clinton, Sholdice has been an active volunteer on the board, one of the stage managers for The Outdoor Donnellys production in 2004, a member of the community players in 2001 and 2002 for The Outdoor Donnellys and an active supporter of the theatre’s Young Company programs. She has served as president of the organization, chair of the theatre’s marketing committee and customer service and hospitality committee. This year she helped to launch and act as stage manager for the am 920 Ontario Open Country Singing Contest in Blyth that featured 67 contestants and awarded $5,000 in prizes to 20 talented singers at the final show on June 10. “My heart has been at Blyth for many years now,” says Sholdice. “I am looking forward to the challenge of helping the festival to grow and prosper in our mandate of bringing great Canadian theatre to our community. This is a community- based organization, and I believe that my ties to the area and previous administrative experience will be vital in my new role here in Blyth.” “I appreciate the wealth of knowledge that exists in Eric Coates, the staff and the board and I am sure that, with their help, we will have a smooth transition.” “Jane has laid an excellent foundation, and I hope that I can continue building on that strength.” Creative advertising The car show committee have been spreading the word about Brussels Homecoming 2007 in a unique way. Committee member Don McNeil has been making the rounds of various towns with this 1930 Model A Roadster truck. Anyone wanting information about the car show, to be held on Saturday, July 28, can contact any committee member, from left: McNeil, Paul Machan, Mark Gropp, Kevin Kellington or Don Bray (absent). (Bonnie Gropp photo) Rat rod spreads the word Clinton woman named Festival GM County council approved a recommendation at the July 4 meeting that a septic system pump- out grant be available through the Clean Water Project. The grant will be co-ordinated with the septic system re-inspection program which has been offered since 2005. In a report to the planning, agriculture and public works committee, planner Susanna Reid said that the grant would improve the effectiveness of the septic system re- inspection project as it would allow the health unit technicians to see inside the tank. The availability of the grant will also promote the re-inspection program and result in an expected 200 septic systems being pumped out this year, Reid said. Huron East councillor Joe Seili wondered what would happen when the grant money was gone. Councillor Ben VanDiepenbeek of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh explained that each request would be covered for 50 per cent to a maximum of $75. There is a $15,000 cap, or 200 pump outs. In response to a question from Huron East councillor Bernie MacLellan it was explained that the $15,000 would come from the Clean Water funds. A pump out must be co-ordinated with the health unit visit. The septic re-inspection will follow the tank pump out. The health unit will take the expense claim and invoice, which will be sent to the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority. MVCA would then issue payment. The Clean Water Project Review Committee will receive updates at each meeting. Grants will only be available for septic systems that are 10 years and older and have not been pumped out in the past three years. However, there was some question as to who would know if someone applying had had their tank pumped last year. Bill Siemon, councillor for Huron East, wondered if the health unit had a record of what tanks had been pumped out in the past three years. “As part of our looking into the tank, if it’s pumped out in the last year, they have to show us,” said Scharfe. Unfortunately, there’s no record. “It’s really the honour system,” said planner Scott Tousaw. “The health unit doesn’t track who has had a pump out.” Chief administrative officer Larry Adams said that in order to apply for a grant there has to be an inspection by the health unit. Pam Scharfe, public health manager, added that the grant is only available for people pumping from today onward. “It’s not retroactive.” Trying to target the bottom line, Central Huron councillor John Bezaire asked.“Are you eligible if you had the tank pumped out in the last three years?” Scharfe said if someone was at the three-year mark and it was clear they needed a pump out “ then yes.” “So going forward from today the health unit will have records,” said warden Deb Shewfelt of Goderich. “Yes,” said Scharfe. County okays pumpout grant By Bonnie Gropp The Citizen By Bonnie Gropp The Citizen By Bonnie Gropp The Citizen