HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-11-30, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1994.
Blyth reeve, councillor rehash plow issue
Continued from page 1
do with municipalities who can't
get their act together," he said.
"And remember Councillor Bailey,
you are still a member of this coun
cil. Those other people are just four
citizens," he said, referring to the
incoming councillors.
Councillor Bailey alluded to dis
sension and apprehension regarding
the durability of the lights. "I feel
that until we have been through a
winter, it's irresponsible to pro
ceed."
"Who said we're proceeding?"
asked Reeve Lee, noting that the
motion was to pursue funding for
installation of high pressure sodi
um, energy-efficient lights for the
main street.
"We never specified decorative
lights," explained Clerk-Adminis
trator Helen Grubb.
Reeve Lee said B.M. Ross and
Associates had been contacted to
check into the candle power. "If the
lighting level is unsafe a decision to
establish what level is safe must be
Mason Bailey
made. Until we do this is all smoke
and mirrors."
Ms Grubb said that a letter had
been received from Bruce Potter of
B.M. Ross saying that the spacing
and staggering of the lights was
done according to the specifications
of an engineer.
"My big concern," Councillor
Bailey said, "is how they will stand
up to our winters. I hope they hold
out alright, but if they don't we'll
have to get something stronger."
Reeve Lee then echoed his con
cern about involving the govern
ment.
Ms Grubb agreed saying that the
village has worked hard to develop
a rapport with the government.
"Municipalities where disrespect is
shown don't get provincial money.
There are lots of other municipali
ties begging for the money."
Ratepayer Con Van Vliet asked
why concern over a safety issue
should reflect negatively on the
way the village is looking at this.
"Why would it be damaging, when
it is a safety concern that is being
looked into?" he asked.
"Do you think they (the govern
ment) don't know about all the dis
contentment?" Reeve Lee returned.
"I guess they do," Mr. Van Vliet
agreed, "but you must admit these
lights are in a more dangerous posi
tion than the previous lights."
It was after Reeve Lee said all he
was hoping for was an assurance of
the incoming council that they
wouldn't take down the lights that
had been installed, Councillor Bai
ley became angry.
"Show me one of us who has
ever taken anything down. We are
builders,” said Councillor Bailey,
adding that Reeve Lee would find it '
difficult to find any action that
Councillor Bailey had taken that
wasn't in the best interests of the
village.
"I can," said Reeve Lee. "Do we
have a snowplow?" he asked.
Council had been approached at the
Sept. 13 meeting about tendering
the snowplowing for this year as
the truck was in need of extensive
repairs and there was no money for
a new truck. Councillors Bailey and
Steve Sparling at that time
expressed concern over losing con
trol of the quality of service and it
was agreed that tenders would be
called for the purpose of determin
ing the costs.
When the tenders were opened at
the Oct. 5 meeting Councillor Bai
ley, with Councillor Eugene
Cobum's support, made a motion to
defer discussion until there was
full-council. Councillor Sparling
was absent. On Oct. 27 council
voted to repair the truck.
As of last week's snow the work
was not done and Village Foreman
John Rinn had to contact East
Wawanosh Twp. for plowing.
Councillor Bailey said he was not
going to apologize for wanting the
village to plow their own snow. He
then told Reeve Lee that he felt the
reeve had violated every meeting
by debating issues with council and
Dave Lee
invited him to come to future coun-
cil meetings and "I'll show you how
to chair a meeting and respect your
councillors.”
"Sir, let me just say that first you
have to earn that respect," Reeve
Lee countered.
Mr. Rinn said he had been very
frustrated by the way things had
gone, noting that it was the second
time council's deferral, had resulted
in no truck to plow when the snow
came.
Admitting that he had contribut
ed to the delay Councillor Cobum
said, "John I spoke with you in Jan
uary about this and I said then, if
you keep on with run down equip
ment and start to tender the work
out eventually you won't have any-
one to supervise. How can you be a
village foreman with no staff? I
was concerned with keeping what
we presently have and I think it's
unfair Mason and I take the blame.
The village is better off with its
own service."
Mr. Rinn said it reflects poorly
on him to have to contact outside
townships to come in and do the
work. "The road superintendent
gets the blame."
Blame Coburn and Bailey,"
Councillor Cobum said, causing a
ripple of laughter to run through the
gallery. He then told Councillor
Bailey he felt the letter wasn't nec
essary adding that if the govern
ment senses a problem they often
back away. When there is funding
offered, he said, municipalities
should grab it and run. "I think this
will have a detrimental effect."
"We're all here for an opinion,"
said Councillor Bailey. "That's
yours."
In closing Reeve Lee said that he
hopes that the Blyth Business
Association, which first came for
ward with the idea of decorative
lighting, continues to work with the
new council towards village
improvements.
Purchasing a vehicle
is a big decision!
Let us help you
make the right one!
GARRY WOODCOCK
Quality Cars & Trucks
We Can Save You Money
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jjreONTGOMERV; LUCKNOW
528-2813
Even Santa Knows The
Citizen makes a great
Christmas
Blyth council briefs
Continued from page 7
ment to accommodate an extra run
of one of the productions. This
would be verified early in the sea
son.»*»
Blyth will take part in the Blue
water Recycling Association’s
Christmas tree chipping program.
Details will be worked out by the
new council in December.
A motion was made forgiving the
1994 penalty on the Anglican
Church taxes. The amount is
$39.30.♦♦♦
The village will do one pick up
of the remaining bagged leaves.
A motion was made to have the
building permit for the sall/sand
storage as an expense item, making
it eligible for infrastructure fund
ing.
An invoice of $107 for the work
done on the new hydro panel at the
ball diamond was approved for
payment to Nesbitt Construction
Inc.♦♦♦
Council was notified that Mike
Henry, Lot 21, Plan 168 intends to
establish an office in his residence
for individual client insurance
work.
The request complies with zon
ing use.
Councillor Shirley Fyfe reported
that the phrase "Lest we Forget" is
to be etched in the glass above the
front door of Memorial Hall.***
A new snowblower for Memorial
Hall has been purchased.
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Santa visits
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