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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-05-27, Page 8Page A8 Godench Signal -Star, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 Taxpayers won't have Thanks to a motion by Coun- cillor Deb Shewfelt (Goder- ich) during Huron County's committee -of -the -whole ses- sion May 19, county council is Cheryl Heath_ signal -star publishing There may soon be no such thing as a free lunch in Huron County's council chambers. Interior & Exterior Painting Dump Run • Yard Work If you have a dirty job you don't want to do, call us! Local Manager Kara Sloetjes 1-877-889-3760 We are proud to welcome... West Harbour Insurance and Investments Ltd. is proud to welcome Norris Peever as an Insurance and investment Broker. Norris comes to us with 20 years experience in the banking industry and as former 'manager of West Wawanosh Mutual Insurance Co. for 12 years. Norris can assist you with your investment needs, life and mortgage insurance, drug and dental plans and Norris Peever disability insurance. For a free consultation or quote call Norris at 519-524-7772 ext. 208 or visit our website at www.westharbour.ca INSU RANCEWest .6.1tiev4o6ottet- & INVESTMENTS LTD. 54 West Street, Goderich to foot $19,000 council lunch bill looking at doing away with picking up the tab for coun- cillors' lunches during their thrice -monthly committee - of -the -whole and council ses- sions. That resolution was ap- proved after some debate sparked by Coun. Joseph Seili (Huron East) who had earlier asked county administration to provide a breakdown on lunch cost's. According to stats provided by Chief Administrative Offi- cer Larry Adams, the tab will come in at about $19,00( for 2009, with a breakdown of about $15 per plate. That expense, argues Seili, is something that shouldn't he borne by the taxpayer. Indeed, says Seili, he makes it a practice to forego the coun- ty supplied lunches and instead patronizes Goderich business- es. It was Coun. George Robert- son (South Huron) who. origi- nally proposed foregoing the lunches and instead allocat- ing a one-hour lunch break at county sessions. "This seems to he an awful lot of money to pay for one person's lunch," he says. "I can't see why anyone here can't afford to buy their own lunch." However, his resolution, which also called for a one- hour lunch break, left some councillors worrying that such a break would mean fewer councillors at the table once meetings resumed. Coun. Bill Siemon (Huron East) says perhaps a better so- lution is to have councillors pay for the catered lunches through donation boxes that will benefit area food banks. "1f' the county is still buying it, it's coming out of taxpayers' money," says Robertson. County Warden Ken Oke, however, says the county. chose to pick up the tab in the "spirit of saving time." "What you have is anarchy at 12," he says in reference to a plan for an hour-long lunch break. "Yes, it's expensive, hut it was continuity we were go- ing for." Robertson, however. notes councillors are paid a full-day honorarium regardless of how long the meetings run. Robertson's motion lost by a nine -to -five vote. However, Shewfelt's motion to elimi- nate lunch entirely passed by a 10 -to -five vote. "He means no free lunch," says Siemon, who then moved a resolution to eliminate free beverages from council ses- sions. That move, however, found t'ew fans. "If the county can't afford coffee that's getting fairly ri- diculous," says Coun. Bert Dykstra (Central Huron). Coun. James Fergusson (Bluewater) wondered whether a "little bread" could he in- cluded with the water -only plan but that request raised the ire of Seili. "If you try to bring up some goal to the benefit of the tax- payer, you're ridiculed for it," says Seili. "In 18 months, per- sonally. I'm gone." The next municipal election is set for November 2010. The water -only motion was soundly defeated. County council must endorse the elimination of the lunch plan before the move is made. Author Kevin Morrison guest speaker at Chamber of Commerce annual meetin Denny Scott signal -star .staff Kevin Morrison, motivational speaker, corporate trainer and facilitator, and author will highlight the coming Chamber of Commerce's annual general meeting May 28. The evening promises to be a fun -filled night, ac- cording to Chair Judy Crawford with a lot of great, exciting news, a speaker that everyone can learn something from, and a very little bit of business. The night, which is exclusively sponsored by 104.9 The Beach, will serve as a social event, a launch -pad for several chamber initiatives, and a chance to hear a unique speaker. Morrison has spoken to thousands throughout North America. His self-proclaimed "down-to-earth and tell -it -like -it -is" approach and presentation style are what make people look to him for events. His book, Get Happy, Get Simple, highlights the importance of moving forward in life and focusing on key factors. The book provides anecdotes and stories from Morrison's life that he hopes will help individuals 'pull out all the stops and truly live.' The evening will serve as an official laun4 for many different products, including the long-awaited business directory, and the Chamber's brand new web site. According to Crawford, the directory is the most up to date, with all the businesses in Goderich and others from the area. The directory is bundled with the Huron County Vacation Guide, BIA map, Blyth Festival informa- tion, Emergency Preparedness Information, the Buy Local, Buy Fresh Map and the Perth Vacation postcard and hand -delivered to all the cottages from Amberley to Bayfield. "This is quite an undertaking," Crawford ex- plained in correspondence to the Signal -Star, "But we believe by providing this information about our services and products to the cottage community, it encourages our seasonal residents to shop in our businesses and use our service industry for all their needs. The chamber's new web site is going to be an ex- citing unveiling, according io Crawford. "It was a huge job," she said. "There's a lot of new enhancements, and I believe all the members will really like it." WALK for Those Who Can't and Help Fight ALS! Goderich WALK for ALS June 6, 2009 Imagine being in a wheelchair, unable to move. Imagine being unable to speak or eat. Imagine having ALS - Lou Gehrig's disease - a fatal illness devastating more than 1,000 Ontario families. Join the ALS Society of Ontario and hundreds of our clients and supporters at the 1st Goderich WALK for ALS, one of 28 walks across the province. Money raised funds equipment, support services and research for a cure. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Goderich Beach, or register online at www.walkforals.ca. Show your support and help people with ALS in Goderichl For more Information, contact: Karen Baldwin 1-866-611-8545 x220 karenealsont.ca www.alsont.ca