HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-04-09, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2003. PAGE 7.
Huron E. mayor delivers emotional message
Continued from page 1
provincial government might take the
matter out of council’s hands.
“(Dalton) McGuinty has said the
Liberals would make the public
workplace smoke-free.”
“When we boil this down to a
health issue, it’s coming. So maybe
it’s more a matter of how we get
there,” said Shewfelt.
Councillor Rob Morley of South
Huron said he had concerns with the
exemptions already made and if there
were going to be more he wasn’t sure
he’d support the draft bylaw.
Bluewater Councillor Paul Klopp
reminded council that this was not a
win-win situation. “No one is going
to be happy on an issue like this.” He
said he had made a decision three
weeks ago. "I gave it a lot of thought.
You do better with honey instead of
vinegar and I think Bruce does that.”
Howick Councillor Norm Fairies,
however, said the time had come to
say no. “People are calling me and
asking ‘Where’s your backbone?’ I
think this bylaw is a good
one.”
Joe Hogan, councillor for South
Huron agreed. “I think we have to get
on with the bylaw as presented.
We’ve heard all sorts of arguments
and when we initially looked at it it
was going to have a start date of July.
Now it’s September. I’m surprised
we’re now talking of delaying it
almost two years. Let’s get on with it
and do the right thing. Let’s support
this and be a leader.”
Given the direction the discussion
was going, Huron East Mayor Lin
Steffler then asked for council’s
indulgence to read a statement, “one
that will be difficult for me to give.”
A smoker for 32 years, Steffler now
suffers from chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). “I won’t
see my grandchildren graduate. I
can’t even run, jump or play with
them now. When I die it will be in a
hospital bed gasping for breath. We
can talk about a child with cancer or
the elderly gentleman who has
smoked all his life. But these cases
are the anomalies, irregularities, the
glitches.”
‘The number of COPD cases is
growing each year. We are now
paying for the actions of our past.”
Saying that she and her council
support the bylaw, Steffler added that
she would be truly sorry if people are
forced out of business. “But in all
conscience I cannot and will not be
respons'ble for someone spending
their days tied to a machine.”
“I know today I am doing the right
thing. I am leaving a legacy of health
to my grandchildren.”
Voting in favour of the draft bylaw
were Councillors Bernie MacLellan,
Huron East; Neil Rintoul, Ashfield-
Colborne-Wawanosh; Fairies;
Shewfelt; Hogan; Urlin; Murray
Scott, North Huron and Steffler.
Opposed were Councillors Keith
Johnston, Morris-Tumberry; Ben Van
Diepenbeek, Ashfield-Colborne-
Wawanosh; Diane Denomme,
Bluewater; Morley, Ellen Connelly,
Goderich (who, like Layton, changed
her vote from the committee of the
whole); Klopp, Layton, Bert Dykstra,
Central Huron; Carol Mitchell,
Central Huron.
Overheard from the public gallery
Doug Gough,
R.I.B. (ONT.)
CAIB, Manager
following the vote were the
comments, “a bunch of cowards” and
“shame on this council”.
Back to square one
Layton then made a motion that the
health unit prepare a bylaw to go into
effect Jan. 1, 2005 with bars, pubs,
Legion canteens and private clubs
being given the option of paying
$500 to be exempt. This was
seconded by Mitchell.
Henning, however, said that as the
class A exemption sanctions smoking
the health unit would not be involved.
The matter would be referred back to
county.
Morley recommended that the
model for the Bruce bylaw be used,
as what can be exempt under class A
is clearly defined.
When Scott lat^r questioned
exactly where council went from
here, Urlin retorted, “Well, we can
definitely go for a smoke.”
Layton’s motion tabled the matter
for committee of the whole. Chief
Administrative Officer Larry Adams
said that council will now wait for
direction from the committee.
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The chequebooks were open Saturday at the Brussels,
Morris and Grey Community Centre when the Optimists
hosted a fundraiser for Jesse’s Journey. Not only did the
club and community raise more than $12,200 for gene and
cell therapy, but also $8,000 for community betterment.
Kevin Deitner shows off the goods while auctioneer Kevin
McArter encourages the bidders, (Janice Becker photo)
Donating to the cause
Brussels Public School students Kieran Blaney, left, Kayla
Bishop and Alyssa Gowing attended the Brussels
Optimists’ fundraiser for Jesse’s Journey Saturday night as
they donated $848.50 to John Davidson, Jesse’s father.
The Optimists matched that amount to bring the total
donation to $1,697. (Janice Becker photo)
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‘Thank you
The Brussels Optimists Club
Thanks again for your
continued support
russels Optimists
joS April Dinner
Sl&r & Auction
Thanks again to the Brussels Public School for
their support J
•12,200 was raised for
Jesse's Journey
s8,000 for Community Betterment