Loading...
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 Drive A Little - Save A Lot 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. NOTICE RATEPAYERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF GREY Final Instalment for 1994 property taxes due November 30,1994. Santa visits town imnnZBXC uxjuotr Gift Subscriptions to The Citizen come with a Christmas Card to send to the recipient!$23.°°FOR ONE YEAR LOCAL $33.00 FOR ONE YEAR OVER 40 MILES FOR ONE YEAR OUTSIDE CANADA Please clip & return this coupon to "THE CITIZEN" P.O. Box 429, Blyth, Ont. ■ N0M 1 HO or P.O. Box 152, Brussels, Ont. NOG 1 HO Enclosed Is □ $23.00 or □ $33.00 or □ $62.00 [ To: Name_______________________________________________ i Address ________________________________________________ ! i i i Postal Code I I -------------------------------------- ---------------------------- j | From_____________________________________;_______________ | I__________________________________________________________I