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The Citizen, 1994-06-15, Page 1Interview News Environment Entertainment Health Minister answers questions on emerg. service See page 6 Bluevale senior gets provincial recognition See page 10 Large crowd comes to find out if their water is safe See page 13 Aylmer’s creator talks about Aylmer the character See page 23 Raise gets Blyth council on line By Bonnie Gropp "Either get with the program or be volunteers." This was the sentiment expressed by Blyth Councillor Steve Sparling at the June 8 meeting when coun­ cillors discussed their remunera­ tion. "This is always an issue that makes ratepayers tremble; elected officials discussing and voting on their own stipend; but when we set the present one it was with the feel­ ing that w-e thought it inappropriate to be asking ratepayers for more money and accepting more for our­ selves." After comparisons to other municipal councils however, Coun­ cillor Sparling said that he felt council needed to decide whether they were volunteers or paid offi­ cials and accept the going rate. "This is not a case of lining up at the trough, it can be put into effect with the next council. It is of no consequence to me whether it is retroactive or two years from now, but we need to land one way or another." Thinking ahead to the election Reeve Dave Lee said that the next council could be made up of entire­ ly different people. "Five new councillors aren't going to approach this looking at it the same way those of us do who have done the job for awhile. When we dropped our remuneration we had hoped we were going to set the tone and things would be perfect. I'm sorry that didn't work out." When questioned on his feelings Councillor Eugene Coburn said, "It's time the rates were changed and it should be in effect immedi­ ately." The reeve's annual stipend for 1994 is $2,400, while members of council will each receive $1,700. Effective June 1 special board and committee meetings will mean an additional $60, which is an increase of $10. Out of town meetings will be $95 per day or $60 per half day. In addition it was decided that any councillor not attending 12 regular meetings each year will have their stipend adjusted. Citizen Vol. 10 No.24 The North Huron Wednesday, June 15, 1994 600 included W. Wawanosh group seeks council's aid By Pat Livingston Representatives Trom the West Wawanosh Landfill Coalition Group didn’t get exactly what they wanted when they appeared before council at the June 7 meeting. However, they didn't come away empty-handed. The group asked for council's support - moral and financial - in their quest to oppose a proposed Huron County landfill site on any of three candidate sites within West Wawanosh Township. "As our elected officials, we believe you should give us your support," said Audrey Johnston, spokesperson. Reeve Bob Hallam, who sits on the Planning and Development Committee overseeing the waste management master plan, wouldn't go on record as opposing the landfill site. He did say, "You have to beat them on their own rules and terms. You have to explain to the consultants why the site is not suitable. You know the area, go over the criteria and you might find a lol of the sites will be eliminated." After repeatedly saying he couldn't go on record, comments from Ethel McAllister, landowner, prompted Reeve Hallam to finally declare a conflict of interest and vacate council chambers. Deputy-Reeve Alex Chisholm informally polled Councillors Ron Snowden, Richard Foster and Walter Elliott. All four councillors agreed they didn't want the landfill site in West Wawanosh. "I don't want it in my backyard," said Councillor Foster, "but you have to beat them on their terms." When he suggested a petition should be circulated, Foster was informed that one was already in the works. "To be credible it should be taxpayers signing it," he cautioned. Councillor Elliott, although he is opposed to the landfill site in West Wawanosh, stated, "Facing reality, someone has to take the garbage. Our own site could be closed in 10 years. I'd be more opposed if it was Toronto's garbage." "How do you know we won't get Toronto's garbage?" was the quick retort from one of the group. Councillor Elliott was piqued with the group for not being informed personally of the May 27 meeting. "You come here tonight asking for support, and I didn't even hear about the meeting that Friday until I read about it in the paper the next week." Bev Grierson told council the Continued on page 10 On edge Kids of all ages joined in the fun of activities and games following an outdoor service sponsored by the Brussels Mennonite Fellowship. Here young Diane Cochrane dances desperately to try and keep from getting soaked by a falling water balloon, while Mary Kuepfer sets up to throw her balloon to a waiting partner. The Clary Family, equipped with puppets and clown, led the worship service at the Brussels Conservation Area. Blyth proceeds with prelim. OPP find drugs in Hullett Donald Peters, a Hullett Twp. man, was arrested June 7 after Goderich OPP seized more than j> 100,000 worth of marijuana from lis home. Police received information from ?rime Stoppers and other sources ^hich led to the early morning raid, citing a haul of approximately 250 otted plants. Reports say the bust was one of the biggest in recent years with the crop being found in the house, backyard and bam. Paraphernalia such as growing lights, pots and soil were also seized. Mr. Peters has been charged with the cultivation of marijuana, and possession for the purpose of traf­ ficking. By Bonnie Gropp With long-term planning in mind, Blyth councillors agreed at their June 8 meeting to proceed with the preliminary engineering phase for a sludge treatment and storage facili­ ty- Representatives from the Ontario Clean Water Agency and B.M. Ross and Associates were in atten­ dance to provide some information to help council reach a decision. Ed Sexsmith of the OCWA said that while the villages of Blyth and Brussels have reached an agree­ ment-with a Morris Twp. landown­ er to rent space to store sludge, the engineering phase would determine a long-term solution. "The overall perspective is that it (engineering study) makes good sense from a planning point of view," he said. Mark Bell, an engineer who oversees the operation at the sludge treatment plant said that though he felt the rental situation was an ade­ quate solution he did feel it had some drawbacks. "We didn't at that time discuss upgrading the aeration capacity which would provide backup to the rental. You might want to reconsider, look at this more intensely." Mr. Bell also reminded council that presently there is an 85 per cent grant to help cover the cost of the engineering phase. If council decides to proceed fur­ ther there would be another 70 per cent grant for final design and con­ struction. Continued on page 3 Blyth teens struck by car A Young Offender has been charged with dangerous driving causing bodily harm after his car struck two Blyth youths on Satur­ day night. A spokesperson from the Wing- ham OPP said the driver had turned south onto Morris St. from Dinsley St. at an excessive rate of speed, and driving erratically struck the two pedestrians. Aaron Sauve, 17, of Drummond St. received minor injuries while Terry Marks, 17, of Mill St. sustained major injuries, the spokesperson said. Both were taken by ambulance to Wineham and Dtcirir-t :»-i