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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-04-30, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2003. PAGE 7. Huron East councillors meet to address impasse By David Blaney Special to The Citizen April has not been particularly kind to Huron East council, but the April 22 meeting provided some small indication the month may end better than it began. Brussels Councillor Joe Seili and Seaforth Councillor Richard Burgess, two of the main opponents in the ongoing dispute over the allocation of policing costs, which has wracked council for the last several meetings, met privately prior to the April 22 meeting in an effort to address the current impasse. The councillors’ meeting came about after a two-part announcement by Mayor Lin Steffi er, at the April 15 meeting. Steffler began by stating she would not seek re-election during the upcoming November municipal election. Although the announcement was made within the context of the increasingly bitter debate Steffler was specific in stating that the time requirements of the mayor’s job had been the determining factor in a decision she said was made earlier in the year. Steffler commented that the job had changed from two half days each month to a minimum of a full day each week. She said, “Regretfully, I cannot continue that time commitment and do a good job for either my employer or this municipality. One of you has got to go, and at this time, Huron East is the one.” Steffler did however use the opportunity presented by her announcement to deliver the type of tongue lashing that most councillors had probably not received since leaving school. Accusing the councillors of sniping and bickering she stated. “What I’m seeing in April 2003 can almost be termed Grade 1 recess.” She said she was “...truly saddened by the actions of this council.” Steffler spoke about “dark and sinister hints” about ending amalgamation, about flaring tempers, reactive demands and ill-considered motions lacking proper research or an understanding of the consequences. At one point she stated, “If it was within my power, and still socially acceptable, there are people sitting in this room tonight that I could quite cheerfully take out behind the woodshed and give a damn good lickin’ to.” The mayor went on to state, “There hasn’t been much respect shown at this table recently... That is unacceptable and it will not be allowed to continue. You will act as adults and in a civil and collegial manner while you sit at this table or you will be asked to leave.” The mayor’s carefully crafted outburst appeared to have been triggered by the increasingly bitter split, which came to light during earlier meetings when the Seaforth councillors demanded mediation or arbitration (under the amalgamation order) to release them from a political agreement regarding the cost of policing to the Seaforth ward. This was followed at the April 15 meeting with a motion, which Grey Councillor Alvin McLellan acknowledged was close to a parody of the Seaforth original. In this motion the councillors from Brussels and Grey wards demanded mediation or arbitration to roll back the Brussels and Grey tax levies because Huron East was subsidizing day care in Vanastra and Seaforth and thus the northern wards were being forced to pay for a service they were not receiving. Later McLellan admitted that the second motion was presented, “basically out of frustration.” He said that he had been in at the beginning of amalgamation and commented, “I still feel amalgamation will work but it requires a lot of give and take. It is a step backwards what the two Seaforth councillors are doing.” At the April 22 meeting Seili and Burgess jointly suggested that an attempt be made to resolve the problem by having a representative from each ward meet, either with or without a mediator. This suggestion was immediately beset with problems as several councillors indicated they felt all representatives should participate while others CHSS club hosts festival The Global Village Club at Central Huron Secondary School (CHSS) in Clinton will be hosting a film festival on Saturday, May 3. The Youth For Global Awareness Film Festival takes place on May 3 at 7 p.m. at Museum London, 421 Ridout St. N. Admission is $7 per person. The film festival will include two films. Global Village Club member Stephanie Bokhout explained, “One is about the plight of children who are sold on the black market, and the second about the unseen side of foreign aid - when it doesn’t always work to help a country.” Along with the two films two discussed the names of potential mediators if one was to be used. The ensuing debate featured several councillors flatly refusing to serve on the ad hoc committee of five and Deputy-mayor Bernie MacLellan suggesting the mayor should forgo her right (by virtue of her position) to sit on the commit­ tee. Eventually the composition was established as the idea’s originators, plus Councillors Larry McGrath, Sharon McClure and McLellan as visibly reluctant draftees. The discussion concerning a mediator saw Burgess suggesting Charles Smith and Alf Ross, both of whom have Seaforth connections. Suggesting a complete outsider, McGrath commented, “I think it (impartiality) is very important and I trust Charlie Smith and Alf Ross, but it is. a perception issue.” The final decision was eventually left for a later date. In answer to repeated questions concerning a legal opinion about the issue Clerk Jack McLachlan said he had not yet asked for an opinion from a lawyer. He continued however, “There is a provision (in law) for an individual or a ratepayer to take the matter to court.” He also reminded council of an earlier letter from the regional office of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs indicating that in their opinion the dispute resolution clause in the amalgamation agreement was no longer operative. The clerk was eventually instructed to seek a legal opinion about the status of the amalgamation order. The deputy-mayor also requested that council, “Seek a legal opinion about whether there is an avenue for a ward to challenge a Doug Gough, R.I.B. (ONT.) CAIB, Manager representatives from Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan (CASS) will be the guest speakers. CASS is a London-based development and human rights organization that supplies resources to struggling people of Sudan, Africa, the main focus being vocational and educational assistance. The CHSS Global Village Club is an extra-curricular student club that works to raise awareness of global issues within the high school and the community. For more information or for advance tickets call 482-8844 or 524-9081. All proceeds go to Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan. council decision.” decided to hold a special meeting on In order to get current information the next Wednesday and invite with regard to policing councillors several senior members of the OPP to IVES INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. - BLYTH OFFICE 184 Dinsley St. W. Box 428 Blyth, ON NOM 1H0 Tel: (519) 523-9655 Fax: (519) 523-9793 , All Classes of Insurance WWW.IVESINSURANCE.COM ■ ’I f Friday, Saturday & Sunday May 2,3 & 4 9 am to 6 pm ‘Refreshments, Ttoor Prizes $ Giveaways! Plants from Te-Em Farm have been Beautifying Huron County Since 1981. It's the Must Stop for the Gardener who Appreciates Quality and Selection. Jlome of Ted’s Tasty Tomatoes! 77688 Orchard Line, R.R.#1 Bayfield 519-482-3020 „ NOTICE OF THE PASSING OF ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENTS BY THE TOWNSHIP OF ASHFIELD-COLBORNE- WAWANOSH TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Township of Ashfield- Colbome-Wawanosh passed By-law 25-2003 on the 15th day of April, 2003 under Section 34 of the Planning Act (RSO 1990). AND TAKE NOTICE that any person or agency may appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board in respect of the By-law by filing with the Clerk of the Township of Ashfield-Colbome-Wawanosh, not later than the 20th day of May, 2003, a notice of appeal setting out the objection to the by-law and the reasons in support of the objection and accompanied by payment of the fee prescribed under the Ontario Municipal Board Act. AMOUNT OF FEE payable on appeal is $125.00. AN EXPLANATION of the purpose and effect of the by-law and describing the lands to which the by-law applies, are provided below. The complete by-law is available at the Municipal Office during regular office hours. Only individuals, corporations and public bodies may appeal a zoning by-law to the Ontario Municipal Board. A notice of appeal may not be filed by an unincorporated association or group. However, a notice of appeal may be filed in the name of an individual who is a member of the association or the group on its behalf. DATED at the Township of Ashfield-Colbome-Wawanosh this 30th day of April, 2003. Mark Becker, Clerk-Treasurer Township of Ashfield-Colbome-Wawanosh RR 5 Goderich ON N7A 3Y2 (519) 524-4669 PURPOSE & EFFECT: This by-law amends Zoning By-law 13-1991 for the Township of West Wawanosh regarding zoning requirements intended to address the lot pattern in Dungannon and to create consistency between the three zoning by-laws which make up the new municipality. As a text amendment, this by-law affects all lands in the Wawanosh Ward of the Township of Ashfield-Colbome-Wawanosh. 1. Minor lot boundary adjustments between certain zones do not require a rezoning of the severed parcel. The appropriate zoning will be deemed to extend to the new lot boundary. 2. The zone regulations for sleeping accommodation in a tourist or travel trailer is amended by reducing the permitted time frame from a period of six months to fourteen days. 3. The zone regulations of the Village Residential (VR1) zone are amended by reducing the side yard minimum from 3 metres to 1.5 metres where the lot width is less than 20 metres. 4. The minimum lot area required for existing undeveloped lots to construct a residence in the Village Residential (VR1) zone is increased from 809.3 square metres to 1000 square metres. 5. The minimum lot size requirement for lots in the Village of Dungannon is decreased from 1850 square metres to 1600 square metres where two or more contiguous lots are owned in common and where Health Unit requirements can be fulfilled. 6. As a text amendment to the Township of West Wawanosh Zoning By-law 13-1991, this by-law applies to all lands in the Township of West Wawanosh.