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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-06-05, Page 1Vol. 12 No 23 Wednesday, June 5, 1996 700 se GST 750 The flip side Krissy Dilworth shows us another side of herself as she maneuvers over the high jump during the Brussels Public School annual track and field meet last Thursday. With area schools having hosted their own events over the past two weeks, their top competitors from each event were preparing for their divisional meet. Brussels top contenders advance to the North Huron event scheduled for this week in Howick. Community Brussels Lions get set to celebrate 50 years of community service See page 2 Sports Brussels Tigers get season off to a solid start with 3-1 record See page 9 Entertainment Aylmer gets rebirth on Blyth Festival stage as reknowned inventor See page 23 Citizen Brussels grudgingly The • North Huron renews fire contract Brussels village council reluc- tantly approved a resolution to renew its fire agreement with Mor- ris Twp. without an amendment it had passed earlier, but not before several councillors expressed bit- terness over the issue. Clerk-Treasurer Donna White explained that Brussels had earlier passed the amendment, but Morris had decided not to pass the amend- ment at this time. Brussels needed to pass a resolution to go back to the original agreement which auto- matically renews each year unless either party sends written notice of cancellation of the agreement. "I really think if they don't want to go for the amendment we should cancel the-agreement," Reeve Gor- don Workman said. "They agreed to accept the amendment as long as both tire chiefs (the chiefs of the Blyth and Wingham fire departments who have jurisdictions over the south and north portions of the township) agreed to it. They agreed to it and now they won't pass the amend- ment." In a letter to Brussels earlier, Morris council said it did not want to pass the amendment at this time because there would need to be more extensive amendments when the 911 emergency number is adopted. "It would take five minutes to type that amendment," Councillor. Joe Seili said. "To me it is not acceptable to delay it." The disagreement is over fire protection for homes in the town- ship which are on the edge of the village. Since Brussels has no tanker truck it cannot fight fires in the township beyond the reach of the fire hydrant system. The agree- ment calls for Brussels to be a first- By Janice Becker A topic which has brought heated debate in many quarters was settled with stern warnings from one trustee at the June 3 meeting of the Huron County Board of Education. After hearing a recommendation from the Executive Committee regarding the board's proposed involvement in the Work for Wel- fare program initiated by the provincial government, Joan Van den Broeck, trustee for Goderich and Colbome Twps. expressed seri- ous concerns regarding the ethical problems of becoming involved in workfare. "If someone gets cut off welfare because of a contractual problem with the board and they become angry, what is the risk to our staff and children?" she questioned. Noting that such a scenario may be unlikely, it still must be consid- ered, she said. Van den Broeck, also concerned about the administrative and super- visory cost to run the program, questioned Director of Education Paul Carroll on an estimate for par- ticipation in workfare. Stating he did not have an esti- mated cost available, Carroll, how- ever, said that, "Seen through my eyes and my past experience, this is a possibility to upgrade education for residents, which will be paid for by an outside source. This board has a long history of working with social services to provide work experience and training (for all ages). I believe the schools and the entire system would benefit from involvement." "I have no kinship to workfare as a punitive measure, but would take the opportunity to create a positive, helpful and educational experience to develop work place skills." Reiterating the board's long- standing position of being proactive with new policies and concepts, Carroll said he has no problem with opening a dialogue (with provincial representatives) for participation. By being proactive, the board can avoid the negative aspects and per- spectives of workfare, he said. "Provided the program created meaningful employment prepara- tion and training for the partici- pants," said Doug Gamiss, trustee for Morris and Tumberry Twps., "I agree with the recommendation." From the Executive Committee discussions, trustees said, "given the board's mandate and current training' for a large adult popula- tion, it would be most appropriate for the HCBE to explore a create new, meaningful and useful opi•nr- Continued page By Bonnie Gropp Let them run wild and they'll be treated that way. Animal Control Officer Bob Trick attended the Blyth Council meeting June 3, to ask councillors' feelings regarding the bylaw that would allow him to shoot any dog found running at large, that cannot be apprehended by him. A letter has been drafted to be signed by Reeve Mason Bailey re- iterating this fact. When asked if he had any reluctance about authoriz- ing the letter, Bailey said, "I have every confidence in Bob that he will use good judgement." response department for areas close to the village but to call in Wing- ham, if the fire is north of County Rd. 16, or Blyth if it is south of that road. , The amendment would have made it unnecessary for Brussels to call one of the other departments if the buildings involved were near fire hydrants. Councillors are angry that the Brussels department must now take the time to call Wingham or Blyth even if the homes are in the village in all but name. Morris has said it will not pay for fire calls by the Brussels department unless the call is made. Council is still waiting to see if Morris will pay the bill for a fire call earlier this year at the Bill King residence when the Brussels department forgot to call Wingham. "You have to make sure we have our paperwork in order," warned White. "You can't leave the (Brus- sels) fire chief hanging out to dry. The problem is that Wingham or Blyth must be advised before the (Brussels) truck rolls. As long as our fire department calls first, we've done what we've got to do." Councillors expressed concern for the safety of those homeowners at the edge of the village who can get better service from the Brussels department. "I can't understand it," said Reeve Workman of the Morris position. "Why would they insist on lfaving Wingham called and have them cruising all the way over here?" Eventually, grudgingly, council- lors agreed to renew the present agreement without the amendment. Councillor Seili suggested it will be up to those Morris residents who prefer fire protection from Brussels to put the pressure on their council to pass the amendment. Trick explained that of the esti- mated 500 dogs he has handled as an animal control officer for sever- al municipalities, he has only 'shot two. "Both cases, I questioned whether 'I waited too long." Also adding faith to the fact he will not be shooting indiscriminately' is the, difficulty in using a gun in a municipality. "You have to pick your spot, obviously. It's not some- thing you can do willy-nilly." Prior to leaving, Trick informed council that the dog which prompt- ed the action "has bitten another person. We are going back to court shortly." Trustee argues workfare Blyth okays shooting of problem pooches