HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-06-17, Page 8'age A8 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Goderich well prepared for worst case scenario Restaurant,
signal -star staff
Emergency!
The cruise ship Nantucket has collided
with the freighter Algosoo in Goderich
Harbour.
Two dead.
The resulting oil spill threatens waters
in Central Huron and Bluewater munici-
palities.
What do you do?
That was the scenario presented to God-
erich's emergency response team Friday,
as exercise "Hard Ball" tested the town's
preparedness in hard times.
Emergency management coordina-
tor Linda Rotteau walked politicians,
town staff, coast guard and fire officials
through the mock scenario, adhering to
a real-time schedule, complete with in-
dividual and departmental duties should
disaster strike.
Since the cyclone of 1995, where in
only 20 minutes, 1 ,000 trees were downed
in Goderich, the town has been extremely
diligent in the way it handles emergency
situations.
The role-play activity worked through
the scenario from the first phone call
reporting a loud noise at the harbour to
managing expenses for the emergency.
By definition, a county emergency is
called when three or more municipalities
are affected.
In the event of disaster, the network-
ing needed for a properly coordinated
response is immense. Rotteau said com-
mand of the emergency. situation can
change hands a number of times as rescue
personnel arrive and depart on the scene.
For Friday's exercise, the Canadian
Coast Guard were the guys in charge, and
Cpt. Chris Armour said the Cape Discov-
ery would serve as the command vessel in
that type of situation.
Lines of communication are vital in
emergencies, and Rotteau said she, the
mayor and the town CAO each have
Blackberry contact should the power
fail.
It is the mayor's decision whether or
not to call an emergency, as well as to
call it off.
In those times, the mayor is the deci-
sion-making body, and ultimately the
head of the response.
The police, the fire department, the
coast guard the town and the Knights of
Notice of Open Houses
for a Five -Year Review of the Huron County
Official Plan
TAKE NOTICE that the Corporation of the County of
Huron will hold a statutory open house under the
provisions of Sections 17 of the Planning Act, RSO
1990, as amended, to provide members of the public
an opportunity to review the materials and ask
questions about the proposed amendments to the
Huron County Official Plan.
ANY PERSON may attend the open house and/or make written or verbal representation.
Five public open houses will be held across the County in:
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GODERICH, on Wednesday, June 17th, 6:00 - 9:00pm at the Huron County Museum
(110 North St.)
WINOKAM, on Thursday, June 18th, 6:00 - 9:00pm at the North Huron Wescast
Community Complex- Hot Stove Lounge (99 Kerr Dr.)
BAYFIELD on Saturday, June 20, 9:O0am - 12:00pm at the Historical Bayfield Town Hall
(11 The Square)
EXETER on Wednesday. June 24, 6:00 - 9:00pm at the South Huron Municipal Office
(322 Main St.)
SEAFORTN on Thursday, June 25, 6:00 - 9:00pm at the Huron East Municipal Office
(72 Main St.)
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: You are invited to attend an Open House to review the
proposed text and mapping changes to the Huron County Official Plan and to speak with
County staff, about any questions you may have regarding the proposed revisions.
The Huron County Planning and Development Department is required to undertake a
5 -year review of the County's Official Plan, a land use planning document that is a
statement of where and how development should take place. The Pian includes vision
goats and policy directions for development of the County. as established by the
community in 1998 and 1999.
MORE INFORMATION is available:
• At the Huron County Planning and Development Department, Goderich,
(519) 524-8394 ext. 3 or
• On the County website: www.huroncounty.ca
DATED AT THE COUNTY OF HURON THIS
20th DAY OF MAY, 2009
Barbara Wilson, Clerk
County of Huron
1 Court House Square
Goderich, ON N7A 1 M2
(519) 524-8394
Columbus would all be notified as to their
response and responsibilities, as would
Veolia in cases where water was an is-
sue.
The Colbmbus Centre on Parsons Court
is the town's emergency shelter, and just
before the new year, that too was put to
the test when power was knocked out af-
ter a severe winter storm.
Gathering the survivors in one place is
crucial, said Armour, as any unaccounted-
for passengers on the Nantucket would
have to be presumed still on board.
It takes Coast Guard rescue workers
about one minute per person to assess and
tag for triage. A green tag means walking -
wounded, and those people are treated
first as they may be able to help out in the
situation.
Yellow requires some medical assis-
tance.
Red means a stretcher will be needed
and black means dead.
While this year's exercise didn't in-
clude a live scenario, the real-time reac-
tions of all the players involved should
help Goderich rest easy their emergency
coordination is in well-prepared hands.
FACH SHAVED HEAD! `10 \Vtt.t. PF DONATED
a
country club
lose signage
Gerard Creasesignal-star staff
The Goderich Harbour Restaurant is not
alone in their fight to maintain signage atop
the hill at North Harbour Road, and as of
Monday night's meeting, will not be the only
one going without.
At issue are the placement of signs - one
from the restaurant and one from Maitland
Country Club - in Samuel Platt Park at the cor-
ner of North Harbour Road and Highway 21.
Town signage bylaws dictate no commer-
cial signs be placed in a public park, and for
months Goderich Harbour Restaurant (GHR)
has been fighting to keep their sign in place.
That fight turned into one for an equal play-
ing field, as GHR owner Vonnie Haner wrote
to council saying while the restaurant received
angry calls from the building committee tell-
ing them to remove their signs or have them
removed, the Maitland Country Club was still
permitted to maintain their commercial sig-
nage in the same park.
"I cannot believe that after a bylaw is passed
to remove all signage, that the town council
would allow the (country club) to maintain
their sign at the parkette," Haner wrote. "What
are you going to do about it?"
Councillor Paul Elgie called for a recorded
vote on the issue, adding the Maitland sign
was a part of Goderich history, while the
GHR, which has been at the bottom of North
Harbour Road for years under different own-
ership, was not. •
In favour of disallowing the GHR sign but
keeping the Maitland Country Club sign were
Coun. Elgie, Deputy -Mayor John Grace and
Mayor Deb Shewfelt.
Voting against the motion were councillors
Ray Hurd, David Yates, Miles Murdock and
Heather Lyons.
"It's tough, but fair," Lyons said of the final
decision to remove both signs.
Board Trustee Vacancy
Due to a recent trustee resignation representing
the area of central east Huron, the Avon Maitland
District School Board welcomes applications for the position of trustee. In accordance with the
Education Act, Section 219 (1) specifies the qualifications necessary to be a member of a board.
The person must be i) qualified to vote for members of the board; and ii) a resident in the area
of jurisdiction of the board.' Disqualifications are outlined in Sections 219(4), (5) and (7).
The Trustee vacancy begins July 1, 2009 and will end on November 30, 2010 following the
school board elections through the municipal election process.
Persons interested in the position please submit an application in writing to the secretary of the
board. Applicants will be required to provide the following information: why they are interested
in the position; their background, qualifications, interests, experience, and concerns regarding
the position; and other information they think is pertinent.
Any person expressing interest in applying for the position shall be offered a package of
information to be picked up from the secretary of the board containing: Avon Maitland
District School Board facts folder; Policy No. 5 Trustee Code of Conduct; schedule of board
and committee meetings; committee membership lists; and the OPSBA learning.centre.
Please submit your application by Friday, July 10, 2009 to
Chuck Reid
Director of Education and Secretary of the Board
Avon Maitland District School Board
62 Chalk Street North
Seaforth, ON NOK 1W0
Avon
DISTRICT
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