The Citizen, 2002-05-01, Page 1„WELp,0Mt o ,
” '7 - ESTABLISHED 1877 f e Citizen
Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County
Volume 18 No. 17
Wednesday, May 1, 2002
75 Cents (70c + sc GST)
70 learn
about
NM bylaw
By David Blaney
Citizen staff
- Huron East's proposed nutrient
management bylaw was on the
agenda of the municipal council
April 23. Over 70 interested
individuals attended the meeting,
which was held at the Walton hall.
Scott Tousaw, a senior planner for
Huron County, explained the process
by which the county's model by law
had been developed. He explained
that in the interests of consistent
enforcement it was hoped that each
municipality would adopt the model
bylaw.
Tousaw explained that the bylaw
would eventually be superseded by
Bill 81, the provincial nutrient
management act. He said it was
principally intended to cover the gap
between the present and when the
provincial act was passed.
Tousaw said the intent was to find
a "balance between the environment
and farming."
Issues related to enforcement, the
definition of animal units and costs
of nutrient management plans
(NMP) were the major source of
questions from the audience.
Several audience members asked
for clarification on the relationship
between the term 'animal units' used
in the bylaw, and the number of
animals allowed on a farm. Tousaw
explained that the term should be
used as a comparison between the
amount of manure produced by
different types of animals. The actual
number of animals allowed on .4
farm operation was a function of the
capacity of the land to absorb the
nutrients from the manure as defined
by the NMP.
Fred Uhler wondered who would
police the bylaw. When informed
that the municipality had little
authority after a building permit was
issued he asked, "What is the use if
you can't enforce it?" Tousaw
suggested that in a •case of blatant
disregard the municipality could
initiate court action.
Huron East treasurer Brad Knight
mentioned the three-year renewal
Continued on page 13
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
You might say it's about sharing
your success.
Blyth in three years as a
competitor in the Communities in
Bloom contest has been a provincial
winner (in its first year) and a
national victor (last year). With that
recent success came a decision.
Chairperson Bev Elliott explains
that the committee was now given
three options. "We could go
international which is expensive, or
America in Bloom, in which we
mentor a municipality in the U.S. or
we could compete in the Canadian
Classic division. This is when a
national champion can invite a
community that has never competed
before to join them."
It was the latter that the committee
opted for. With the amalgamated
North Huron, • which comprises
Blyth, Wingham and East
Wawanosh, municipal councillors
had been interested in seeing Blyth's
success spread to the rest of the
community.
To that end, inviting Wingham to
compete in the Classic seemed a
logical step.
Elayne Rintoul agreed to co-
ordinate the efforts in Wingham. She
has been working 'with the Blyth
group to get ideas and co-operate on
such things as fundraising, as well as
acquiring tips on what judges' look
for and what Wingham's strengths
and weaknesses may be.
The judges will arrive July 29 in
Blyth then will be in Wingham July
-313. The marks are combined then
compared against other Canadian
Classics. Thus far the North Huron
wards are up against Williams Lake
and Langley, B.C.; Viking and
Tofield, AB; Birtle and Gimli, MN
and Meaford and Thornbury-
Clarksburg, ON.
While a loss wouldn't alter Blyth's
national status, should they win
Wingham would have the lessons
learned this year to help them try for
a provincial win next year.
To help them to a Classic victory,
the Blyth committee is hoping to stir
up a little patriotism this year with
their Canadian flag challenge. It is
hoped that the public school students
will be taking part in this as well. "It
is important to get them involved,"
said Elliott, "because they're the
ones who will be looking after Blyth
in the future."
The contest has six categories in
which to win for flying a Canadian
flag: in a front yard garden setting, a
backyard garden setting, with night
lighting, business/industry, church
and. institution.
The deadline is July 1 and entry
forms will be available at local
stores.
County
clerk
resigns
Ben Van Diepenbeck, warden o
Huron County confirmed last weel
that Clerk Administrator Lyni
Murray had resigned from he
position as of May 1.
Murray came under fire in th.
recent Thomas Report. The repot
contained criticism from som.
unnamed county employees any
council members several of whicl
had suggested that Murray should b.
removed from her position.
Van Diepenbeck has informed stat
that County Treasurer David Care.
will be handling the clerk's duties oi
an interim basis according ti
Murray's administrative assistant.
The reason for the resignation ha
not been made public. Deputy-Mayo
Bernie MacLellan of Huron East, ant
a member of county council said tha
he expected reasons would b
contained in the letter of resignation
which will be addressed formally a
the next councilA meeting oi
Thursday.
He said he had not been aware tha
Murray had been contemplatin:
leaving her job.
Overtime
hours
concern
Huron E.
council
By David Blaney
Citizen staff
The April 23 meeting of the Huroi
East council had to deal once agaii
with the issue of accumulate(
overtime for road crews. As o
March 23 municipal public work
employees have worked 1,44:
overtime hours, which has not bee]
either paid out or taken off.
A substantial number of the hour
in question are attributed to th.
foremen who undertake most of th,
early morning road patrols in th,
winter. Council has requested actioi
to reduce the large accumulation o
hours on several occasions.
The number was sufficiently larg.
enough that Deputy-Mayor Berni.
MacLellan asked, "Are we getting ti
the point where we need anothe
employee?"
The general consensus was that th.
number of hours was connected ti
winter road patrols as well a
plowing and grading operations, nc
a lack of employees.
During the discussion councillor
indicated that solving the curren
problem was only part of the task a
hand. They wanted a system in plac,
to ensure it does not re-occur
Councillor Larry McGratl
Continued on page 11
A national update
Shaun McCarty, left and Pat Strauss of Cox Signs in Walkerton installed the new signs,
sponsored by Sparling's, at the edge of Blyth, proclaiming the village's national and provincial
victories in the Communities in Bloom contest. This year the village is moving into a different
category having invited Wingham to compete with them in the Canadian Classic division. (Bonnie
Gropp photo)
Wingham to Bloom with Blyth
Inside this week
Pg.
6 Trustee argues for
te one-system funding
Pg. Hi NASA engineer
speaks at seminar
I AAA Midgets play
Pg. 1-41 in tournament
Pg. 22
Pg. 23
Finances ongoing
worry for HE
Amos to appear in
Blyth productions