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The Citizen, 1991-01-16, Page 7Brussels council briefs THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1991. PAGE 7. Council to contract for survey for new fire hall Brussels councillors at their first meeting of 1991 January 7 decided to survey the property of the village fire hall preliminary to plans being drawn up for a new fire hall. Donna -White, clerk-treasurer, told councillors that she had spoken to Exeter and Bayfield and learned neither had been able to get grants for their new fire halls raised the necessary through taxes. In its annual councillors also new residential buildings should have provision to installation of a water meter. and had money all-day decided and commercial meeting, that all beginning January 1. Dave Stephenson, President of the Brussels Optimist Club asked councillors if they would proclaim March as Optimist Month. Council agreed to do so. Mrs. Carter White told council Don had asked if recycling are Sue the Councillors will continue open vote for choosing county warden Continued from page 1 There had been concern following the December election of Warden James Robinson about the open vote and the method of setting up committees. But councillors, in a recorded vote, voted 24-8 against the change. Many councillors said they could see the value of either system of voting. Past Warden Lionel Wilder said he didn’t have any trouble with the change but didn’t have any problem with the open vote either. With the open vote people had to be sincere when they promised a cnadidate their support because they wouldn’t be able to change their mind as they could with a secret ballot. He said he didn’t see how a potential warden could go ahead with the setting up of committees without having a pretty firm idea of whether he or she was going to get enough votes to be warden. Another past warden Leona Armstrong of Grey said that at a time when the general public is demanding more accountability and openness in government she felt it would be a step back to go to a secret ballot. Tom Cunningham of Hullett, yet another former warden, said he’d like to have two votes to be abel to support each side. He had second­ ed the committee’s proposal for the change because he felt the proposal for a change would bring more debate than a proposal to keep the open vote. He said he could see the value of both ways. He recalled the story of a person seeking office several years ago who had been promised five votes but in a secret ballot only got two “and never trusted anyone for the rest of the • year’’. The benefits of the ability of people to change their vote weren’t all one sided, he said. (He eventu­ ally voted to change to secret ballot). Blyth Reeve Albert Wasson said he felt there was a concern for personalities and he felt councillors should be able to make the choice of the best person to do the job without hulling the feelings of friends or neighbours. “There’s more to be said for the secret ballot than the open one.” John Doherty of Goderich said he had never had a problem letting anyone know how he planned to vote in a campaign but Councillor Wasson’s argument was valid. “Some people tend to remember longer than they should who op­ posed them,” he said. Nigel Bellchamber, county clerk­ administrator said it had been explained to him that some people needed to know in advance if they had a possibility of becoming warden so they could arrange their business affairs to allow time for the job. Without an open ballot where people could be fairly sure who would support them, it might be difficult for some people to run, he said. But Exeter’s Bill Mickle objected to the argument, saying he’d assume that anyone entering the race would do so with the know­ ledge they could possibly win and so would make preparations. County councillors also voted down a proposal that would have expanded the mandate of the ad hoc committee to explore the size and composition of county council, the function and number of stand­ ing committees and the procedure in calling for a recorded vote. Some councillors such as Mr. Mickle worried that the commit­ tee’s look at changing the size of the county council might conflict with the work of the County Study committee looking at restructuring of all municipal and county ser- vices. Grant Stirling of Goderich Twp., acting chairman of the committee, said the study of the size of county council was looked into because of the possibility of three or four more deputy reeves being added after the next munici­ pal election. Legislation says that municipalities with more than 2500 electors are entitled to a second representative on county council. Population of some of the munici­ palities has increased enough for them to have a second representa­ tive. Reeve Stirling, one of the longest-sitting members of county council, said he remembered when there were more than 40 members (before rules about deputy reeves were changed) and today’s council with 32 members worked much better. Mr. Bellchamber said that this study and the County Study would not conflict because it was looking mostly at services. This study would report in June whereas the earliest the County Study would be ready would be in October. Council voted against the ex­ panded mandate by an 18-13 count. pick-up could be switched to Thurs­ days instead of Wednesdays but councillors, after discussion, decid­ ed they wanted to keep the current arrangement where regular gar­ bage and recycled materials picked up at the same time. A letter was read from Nichol, branch supervisor at Brussels Library Branch requesting removal of a cabinet in the library filled with shells, coral, Chinese slippers, duck feet and other items, and painting of the wall behind the cabinet. Councillors decided the cabinet should remain in the library but gave permission for it to be moved to another room and for the wall to be painted. Mrs. White reported to council that a questionnaire had been sent to the majority of clubs and organizations in the village regard­ ing the use of the Booster Bus. All of the clubs said they would use the bus if it was back in operation. A motion is to be passed at the next meeting stating that the Booster Bus is a Charitable Service. A letter of resignation from Stephen Betts as representative on the Board of Directors of Wingham and District Hospital was received. Several Brussels residents are to be approached about filling the vacan­ cy- Mrs. White reported that appro­ val had been received from the Ontario Municipal Board to borrow funds for the construction of the Elizabeth Street extension. A letter was read from Steve and Julie Coulter requesting both sides of the bridge be cleared of snow. In the past only one side of the bridge has been cleared. Council agreed to try to this winter to keep both sides clear. Dave Reid of Frank Cowan Insurance reviewed the village’s insurance policy with the council­ lors. The village’s portion of the policy is $12,044. M' Quality Dependability, Proven Results Deliver Over 2200 Homes “The People Paper” ‘WINS® Q? HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION Of ONTARIO Quit-smoking quick tips V Don't carry matches or a lighter, so you have to bother someone else to smoke. Putt on an unlit cigarette while driving, reading or watching TV. Your local Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario chapter has details on quitting. 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