The Citizen, 2019-04-04, Page 14THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019. PAGE 15.
Confusion surfaced around the
name of the ad hoc committee that
will suggest a future for the aging
Howson Dam infrastructure during
North Huron Township’s recent
council meeting.
On March 18, council welcomed
Rennie Alexander of the Howson
Dam and Pond citizens’ committee
to speak during the recently
reinstated public forum session
added to council meetings.
Alexander, a 40-year resident of
Wingham, said that the name used
by council for its committee, the
Howson Bridge Committee,
confused him.
“I’ve never heard of the Howson
Bridge,” he said. “History refers to it
as the Howson Dam, never the
Howson Bridge.”
He said the site may have been
renamed in the early 20th century
when it was rebuilt after the original
Howson Dam was washed out, but
only to a name that made sense like
the Town of Wingham Dam
Committee of Council.
While Alexander said the issue
may be a moot point for some, it
could represent a change in
the direction of the township’s ad
hoc committee many wouldn’t
welcome.
“Our committee, the Howson Dam
and Pond Committee, is interested in
repairing or refurbishing the dam,”
he said. “Just a few years ago, there
was a meeting here, and some of
[council] may have been available.
We had two meetings on the same
night and had 150 people here who
overwhelmingly said they want to
see the dam repaired, but the bridge,
not so much.”
He said he didn’t believe there is a
Howson Bridge, since North Huron
cut access to the walkway across the
structure, and that the dam could be
rebuilt or repaired without it.
Later in the meeting, when council
discussed the terms of reference for
the ad hoc committee, Deputy-
Reeve Trevor Seip explained that the
name of Howson Bridge was chosen
to differentiate the township’s
committee from the citizen one.
“Whether your entire committee is
on this committee or not, you will
still have your committee,” Seip
said. “‘Bridge’ may not be the right
word, and we’re open to
suggestions, but staff wanted to
segregate the two committees so
when we talk about the Howson
Dam committee of council, it’s not
the [Howson Dam and Pond
Committee].”
As for the terms of reference for
the committee, Seip said he found
them acceptable, but Reeve Bernie
Bailey wanted everyone to be aware
of the fact that this committee will
have no sway at the council table.
“There is some concern that, once
we make the committee, council will
There were four-and-a-half tables
of cards in play at the Belgrave
Community Centre on Friday,
March 22. The winners were: high
pink card, Trudy Taylor; second high
pink card, Nancy Good; most shoots
pink card, Mary Ellen Keller; high
white card, Roy Finch; second high
white card, Tom Miller and most
shoots white card, Harold Metcalfe.
The next cards is on Friday, April
12 at 1:30 p.m. Everyone is
welcome.
Thanks to coffee time donations
from Belgrave United Church,
Belgrave Community Centre and
TOPS Wingham, as well as a
donation from Calvin Brick United
Church Women, a cheque for $333
was given to a St. Thomas family.
Three-year-old Natalie Oulette has
cerebral palsy and the family is
facing a three-month stay in Toronto
where Natalie will have surgery to
help reduce the spasticity in her
nerves giving her balance and a good
chance to being able to walk
independently. Travel back and forth
for up to a year will also be
necessary for specialized
rehabilitation. Thank you for
reaching out to Natalie.
The Elementary School Fair
Board is looking for pictures from
previous fairs to celebrate the 100th
school fair held here in Belgrave
which will occur in 2020. Some
photos from those submitted will be
selected to create a fundraising
calendar which will be available at
the 2019 school fair on Wednesday,
Sept. 11. Deadline for submissions
is June 27. For more information
contact Joan Vincent at 519-357-
2336 or vinbrofarms@rogers.com
Birthday greetings are extended to
Brian Potter, Roger Hopper and
Wanda Weber.
Congratulations to Bill and Muriel
Coultes on the arrival of their third
great-granddaughter, Raelynn Karen
Cook born on St. Patrick’s Day to
Sean and Anna Cook.
Congratulations also to Paul and
Karen Cook on being grandparents.
Debbie and Roger Hopper greeted
worshippers and handed out the
bulletins at Knox United Church on
Sunday, March 31.
Minister Brian Hymers welcomed
the congregation from Trinity,
Dungannon as well as Belgrave on
the Fourth Sunday of Lent. The
theme for the service was “Changing
Her World”.
Brian lit the Christ candle.
Mackenzie Wightman played
inspiring prelude music and
accompanied all the hymns. Also
Lila Procter accompanied with the
guitar. Beautiful flower
arrangements adorned the sanctuary.
The choir, consisting of Trinity,
Dungannon and Belgrave, sang
“Every Day is a Gift From the
Lord”, accompanied by Elizabeth
Procter.
Roger Hopper read scripture from
Joshua 5: 9-12, and 2 Corinthians 5:
16-21 and Debbie Hopper read from
Luke 14: 7-14.
Nancy Folkard reported on the
“Education Progress in Malawi”.
Ken Procter and Larry Harper took
up the offering.
The recessional hymn, “God,
Dismiss Us With Your Blessing and
Grace” was read by Brian.
Council clears up Howson Dam Committee confusion
Church donations aid St. Thomas family
NEWS
FROM BELGRAVE
By Linda
Campbell
Call
357-2188
PEOPLE AROUND
BELGRAVE
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
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