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The Citizen, 1998-12-02, Page 11BABYS)IDS YO COMMEMORATE THE NEWEST FAMILY MEMBER'S 1ST NEW YEAR Join the gallery of faces in The Citizen's baby photo display January 6, 1999 Send or bring a picture of your little one born in 1998 along with a writeup which includes full name, birth date and parents' names, to be featured in The Citizen's Gallery of Faces on January 6, 1999, for only $15.00 (GST included). Please send picture (with name on back), along with a cheque, to The Citizen, by Dec. 22. Photos may be picked up after January 7. This must be pre-paid. Please Complete Baby's Full Name Birth Date Parents' Names $15.00 Enclosed q DEADLINE - DECEMBER 21 (2 p.m. in Brussels & 4 p.m. in Blyth) - Sample - Emily Croft September 26, 1998 daughter of Ian & Jennifer THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1998. PAGE 11. Reps fear amalgamations won't pass Continued from page 1 office. We would like to start, but have flexibility for the future." Bailey commented that he some- times believes the county agreed to let municipalities work together, assuming it would not work. Though he initially believed they were wrong, he is now questioning that belief. McLellan also feared the mixture of sizes might not pass triple major- ity for approval or receive the provincial stamp. A triple majority includes the majority of councillors involved in the amalgamation and a majority of county councillors who represent a majority of the county's popula- tion. Any plan would then have to be approved by the province. East Wawanosh Councillor Judy Gaunt wondered about the viability of Morris and Tumberry Twps. on their own. "The government might say they are not self-supporting and tell them to join in." Wingham Deputy-Reeve Ron Beccroft commended Brussels and Grey Twp. and Morris and Turn- berry Twps. for taking the first steps. "We may never get bigger than three or four (municipalities)," he said. "We have to get along in the sharing of services or we' will never get along to make amalgama- tion agreeable and workable." McLellan said, in an interview after the meeting, that a grouping decision had to be made so that for- ward movement could start. "We took the first small step On beginning restructuring with Brus- sels) in hopes that someone would take the next large step. We arc sick and tired of (the issue)." Though McLellan said they would prefer not to amalgamate as they are running things well, he said the time is coming to get things done. "The government wants fewer people to talk to. Everything is get- ting bigger, it is a sign of the times," said McLellan. Reiterating a statement made by McGowan earlier in the evening, McLellan said slowing amalgama- tion in anticipation of the next provincial election is not an option. "It is going to happen. It doesn't matter who is elected, they will fin- ish the job." Council representatives were also White resigns from safety bd. Continued from page 10 McNeil Municipal drains were approved. Melody White informed council that she is resigning from the Farm and Home Safety Board. Council- lor Edna McLellan will fill the position if required. Council reviewed quotes for township flags and amended it to say 10 to 12 flags. The township will purchase 400 dog tags from Sterling Products, at a cost of $32 per 100 for natural aluminum and 0 rings. A donation of $50 will go to Wingham Palliative Care. Deputy-Reeve Keith Johnston attended a fenceviewing seminar along with Ross Procter who was paid a per diem of S45 plus mileage. Warren Knight will be asked if he will allow himself to he nomi- nated for the Trillium committee. Council received a letter, plaque and shovel from Wescast for dis- play, as a thank you for the town- ship's work on the new project. asked to consider hiring a consul- tant to help them put together amal- gamated areas. During a lengthy discussion, scv- of his council while Turnbcrry Twp. Reeve Brian McBumey said his council's position had not changed "so no". In summing up, Wingham Coun- cillor and meeting Chair Archic McGowan said there seemed to be a general consensus from the group gathered that they were looking for a larger grouping. He also said this would improve the saving with economics of scale noting that particular savings could be found in insurance costs. However, due to the preference by Morris and Tumberry Twps. to stay in a group no larger than four, and Howick Twp.'s solo stance, Brussels and Grey are cut off from the rest of the municipalities. Bailey questioned the sensibility of having such a mixture of sizes in a restructured Huron County. "It is stupid for Huron to get into such a mess," he said. Councillors fought hard with the county to sustain a two-tiered sys- tem and to have municipalities develop new areas, said Bailey, fearing the group was on the verge of throwing away the opportunity to make it work. "We have to think of the next 50 years, not just the next five. We have to think beyond our term of eral councillors questioned the cost of a professional consultant as the figure $50,000 was bantered about. Others believed input could be gathered from neighbouring munic- ipalities who had already proceeded with the process. Blyth Councillor Doug Scrim- geour made a motion asking that tenders be sought from three pro- fessional consultants, to be inter- viewed in early January. East Wawanosh Reeve Don Schultz seconded the motion which was later passed by a large majori- ty. East Wawanosh Councillor Mur- ray Scott agreed that a professional should be called in to get some- thing down and "get on with life". Bailey voted against the motion, saying a specific group should be determined before hiring a consul- tant to aid in the restructuring. Gaunt also wanted confirmation on the number of municipalities who would be sharing the cost of a consultant. Councils were asked to confirm their inclusion in the consultation process following their first December session. Blyth Clerk-Treasurer John Stewart said a consultant could be hired, as in the PUC amalgamation, and could be stopped at any point of the process if it appeared progress was not being made. On a very practical note, Brussels Reeve Ralph Watson said in a later interview, that any restructuring should be done in the next year as many municipalities are looking at a $25,000 expenditure to deal with the Year 2000 problem. "Why should Brussels and Grey Twp. both buy the software?" he asked. SHARP DEALS ON QUALITY - CLEAN READY-TO-GO USED CARS Great Savings on These Used Cars & Trucks. 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