HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-06-23, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2005.
Honoured
Council discusses editorial
North Huron reeve Doug Layton presented Murray Gaunt
with a certificate acknowledging his induction into the
Agricultural Hall of Fame. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
Gaunt inducted
into Hall of Fame
Murray Gaunt was inducted into
the Ontario Agricultural Hall of
Fame, located in Milton. at a
ceremony on June 12.
For over 40 years. Gaunt provided
a strong voice for the agriculture
community in his roles as farm news
broadcaster, member of the Ontario
legislature and agricultural
commodity group leader.
Gaunt was elected to the
provincial legislature in 1962.
During his 19 years in the legislature
he served in a number of key
leadership positions such as
chairman of the Ontario Liberal
caucus, chairman of the standing
committees of general government
and social development and was a
member of select committees and
two special standing committees.
During this time he was
instrumental in enacting legislation
that seuhe course for agriculture. In
the 1960s. he was an advocate of the
Capital Grants program for farmers.
He persuaded the Liberal caucus to
support the 1966 Milk Act that led to
the establishment of the Ontario
Milk Marketing Board. He used his
position as agricultural critic to add
support of other supply management
boards such as the Ontario Egg
Producers' Marketing Board and the
Chicken Producers’ Marketing
Board.
As farm director at CKNX radio
and television for many years,
Gaunt served rural communities and
agriculture through his vibrant and
cheerful personality. He was
instrumental in the redevelopment
if several broadcast programs and
media material and he carried the
agricultural message across the
province and nationally.
Through his daily news, market
and special reports he kept the issues
of agriculture and rural communities
before decision makers and in so
doing was a catalyst advancing the
health and well being of rural
people. He left a legacy in the
industry by serving as mentor to
many professionals in the
agricultural media today.
As chairman of the Ontario
Broiler Hatching Egg and Chick
Commission, Gaunt steered the
organization from conception to
maturity with competence, skill and
leadership. His honest forthright
manner, sense of humour and
conciliation skills guided the pepiple
and resolved the issues of the day. In
.’002. at the end of his 16 years as
chairman. the commission
represents 106 farmers producing
208 million hatching eggs annually,
or 31 per cent of the national
market. He wrote a history book on
the first 25 years of the commission.
He has also served agriculture by
his work on the Ontario Beef
Marketing Commission in 1984 and
the Ontario Federation of
Agriculture's special task force
studying the effect of high interest
on farm families and role the
provincial government should play
to lessen the impact
Gaunt has served rural
communities in other ways. As an
agriculture diploma graduate, class
of 1956A of the Ontario Agricultural
College, he has acted as a volunteer
fundraiser for the University of
Guelph. He served as a director and
president on the Ontario
Agricultural Hall of Fame Board
and is a director of Country Heritage
Park. In addition, he has served on
boards and fundraiser for the
Wingham and District Hospital
Foundation and several rural
organizations including the
Federated Women’s Institutes of
Ontario, the Huron County United
Way, the Wingham Lions Club and
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in
Wingham.
Gaunt has received recognition
awards for his writing, including
twice receiving the Tom Leach Gold
Award from the Canadian Farm
Writers Federation. Among his
many honours, he was the recipient
of the Queen’s Guineas at the 1955
Royal Winter Fair and was awarded
Ontario’s Bicentennial Certificate of
Merit in recognition of his
contribution to agriculture and
related activities.
(Information is from the Ontario
Agricultural Hall of Fame website.)
By Bonnie Gropp
C 'itiz.cn editor
North Huron councillors
responded to a recent editorial in Hie
Citizen al their Monday night
meeting
Deputy-ieeve Murray Scott noted
that the editorial suggested the
township was not keeping the
sidewalks as clean as in the past and
asked director ot public works Ralph
Campbel) for his views on this.
Campbell said that his staff is
extremely busy, particularly with the
preparations lor the 2006
Water rates will increase
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
Blyth waler fates will be
increasing by $10 a month.
North Huron's director ol
I inance/lreasurcr Donna White,
explained at the Monday night
council meeting, that the water rates
in Blyth had not changed since
1992 “So they are well. well, well
overdue for a raise. " she said, adding
Council gets project update
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
With unexpected costs continuing
to pop up for the C'ampvenlion
preparations al the Blyth
campgrounds, it's expected the
budgetted figure of $ 1 ()().()()() will
be exceeded.
North Huron council was told at
its Monday night meeting that the
costs to date were $83,000. Director
Aux. plans veteran tribute
at Blyth Memorial Hall
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
A special tribute will replace the
water fountain at Blyth Memorial
Hall.
At Monday’s night meeting North
Huron clerk-administrator John
Stewart told council that
suggestions had been made about
replacing the fountain, which has
been broken for some time, with
some type of display. “The idea was
to use the base and the Festival and
('ampvention. "1 think sometimes
that the sidewalks were washed
because they didn't have as much to
do then '
He stated that they do plan to wash
the sidewalks at some point and that
the rural employees will be coming
in to help
Councillor Edgai Daer asked
when the holes on the street were to
be patched. Campbell said it's a
matter of the contractor gelling
there, adding that township stall had
been patching the “small stull"
Clerk-administrator John Slew art
said some of the onus lor keeping
that now it was unfortunate a big hit
was in order to bring them in line.
White said there would probably
be a $5 per month increase effective
July I. then the other $5 as of Jan. I.
“The costs ot water since
Walkerton have quadrupled, so
that's what's driving this. We don’t
like it. but it has to be.”
Councillor Murray Nesbitt said
that he felt many residents had not
paid attention to the water ban. “I
of public works Ralph Campbell
said that there had been many things
they hadn't counted on such as
building the hydro into the
park.
To this point, he said, everything
that's there now has been paid for,
but the water still has to be
completed. Material costs for this
are $2,500. Most of the labour
for this will be done by staff,
however.
Legion tossed around a few ideas.”
The Auxiliary has come up with a
statue that would honour the
veterans. The Festival, said Stewart,
is in agreement.
Though the original intention had
been for the work to be done next
year, the person building the statue
has indicated he would like to
proceed this year.
There were no designs available
for council to view, however, the
motion to approve the work carried.
“It sounds like a good idea and
the town tidy needs to fall on the
business owners.
“If I may put my two cents in. to
me the responsibility still goes back
to the property owner. If I owned a
business and 1 saw litter on the street
in front of it, I think I’d take two
minutes and clean it up. I don’t know
why people won’t do that. There
comes a lime when they have to take
responsibility for their own
business.”
Reeve Doug Layton agreed. “I
remember when every business used
to clear the snow in front of their
own store. We’ve spoiled them.”
don’t mind at night, but when you
sec them in the middle of a hot
afternoon with the sprinkler going,
it’s just a waste.”
Director ot public works Ralph
Campbell said the situation is
different in the. Wingham ward
because their water is metred “We
may have to bite the bullet and do
the same in Blyth. People see how
much they're using and are more
careful.” he said.
Councillor Archie MacGowan
noted that an overspending had
been somewhat anticipated when
the budget was set. And with the
event, set for 2006, expected io
generate considerable revenue in
the township there was no concern
expressed.
However, a meeting has been set
for 3 p.m. June 22 to update
everyone and take a look at some of
the costs.
I m sure it s going to be done
tastefully.” said councillor Murray
Nesbitt.
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