HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-12-23, Page 15Councillors want their say on schools
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Huron County councillors are seeking alternative
ways to have their voices heard at the Avon Maitland
District School Board after resolutions requesting a
temporary moratorium on Accommodation Reviews
(ARC) were noted and filed without debate.
Coun. George Robertson (South Huron) first
addressed the issue at the county's Dec. 15 committee -
of -the -whole session after noting resolutions from
both the county and Huron East were dismissed by
board trustees.
Coun. Joseph Seili (Huron East) says it would make
more sense for the board to look at closing a high
school rather than negatively impacting the county's
villages by closing their only pubic schools.
"We're looking at drafting a motion that way," he
says.
While Robertson suggests writing a letter asking
the board to discuss the county and Huron East's
resolutions, Coun. Deb Shewfelt (Goderich) says the
board's hands are likely tied since the province's per -
student funding formula is mandating change.
Coun. Seili, however, notes the Bluewater school
board stopped the ARC process at the request of its
member municipalities, which indicates change is
possible if the political will is there.
"We're going to fight to keep our students in our
areas," says Seili.
Coun. John Bezaire (Central Huron) says perhaps
it would be wise to ask County Warden Bert Dykstra
(Central Huron) to address the board on behalf of the
county.
"I have a lot of confidence that he could plead the
social and economic devastation that could be done."
Dykstra agreed to take up the charge at the behest
of council.
"I think getting on the agenda is a process that needs
to happen," says Dykstra.
The AMDSB is conducting two ARCs that impact
the southern and eastern portions of the county.
Among the schools that could face possible closure
are Brussels, Zurich, Hensall, and Usborne Central
schools.
PAPER TRAIL
Coun. Ben Van Diepenbeek (ACW) wants to know
if the rumours are true.
In reportting to the COW, Van Diepenbeek reports the
county's animal -control officer has been told a series
of new protocols at the Ministry of Natural Resources
level is making it more difficult to orchestrate coyote
hunts. -
"That's news to
me," says Larry
Adams, the county's
ChiefAdministrative
Officer, who pledges
to further check into
the matter and report
back to county
council in the New
Year.
WHERE THERE'S
SMOKE
Coun. John
Bezaire (Central
Huron) finds it
disturbing that more
youth, and especially
females, are picking
up the tobacco habit.
Part of the reason for that, argues Bezaire, is the
availability of cheap cigarettes on the black market.
While acknowledging enforcement is a provincial
issue, Bezaire says it nonetheless makes sense for the
county to address the issue through the Huron County
Health Unit.
The county's CAO agreed to take the issue back
before the board of health for discussion at its January
meeting.
NEW CHAIRS
County councillors chose their new chairs for the
committee -of -the -whole's second monthly session.
Both councillors Neil Vincent (North Huron) and
John Bezaire (Central Huron) were nominated for
chairman, though Bezaire turned down the offer after
the first vote on Vincent's candidacy revealed 11 county
councillors supported his nomination.
"I think you've got your majority," says Bezaire, who
had been nominated by Coun. Tim Collyer (Central
Huron).
SEASON'S GREETINGS
Huron County's new warden took time out to extend
Christmas wishes to fellow county councillors and
staff.
"Don't forget the reason for the season," says Warden
Bert Dykstra (Central Huron). "It's time to reflect on
all the good things we have in this country."
OMPF ANNOUNCEMENTS
The county's CAO is reporting that there doesn't
appear to be any "good news" forthcoming from the
Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund grants announced
Dec. 15. In all, say Adams, the county is losing one per
cent of its grants, totaling about $300,000, for 2010.
MCGEE COLLECTION
The county is prepared to take a step forward in
addressing the long -outstanding issue of whether
the county museum can accommodate a Port Albert
resident's expansive Port
Albert air force memorabilia
collection.
Beth Ross, the county's cultural
services director, notes several
issues need to be addressed
before the collection can
be accommodated. Yet, she
says, it makes sense to begin
working with interested
stakeholders to create a space
See COLLECTION, Page Al 7
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PURSER'S PUTTY
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Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, December 23, 2009 - Page 15
MID -HURON LANDFILL SITE BOARD
Please be advised of the following dates
for the 2010 Mid -Huron LandfillSite
Board meetings to be held at 3:00 p.m. at
the Gocierich Municipal Office.
January 20 June 16
February 17 September 15
March 17 October 20
. April 21 November 17
May 19 December 15
Meeting dates may be subject to change, please
contact t Town Hall at 519-524-8344 to confirm
the meetings of the Mid -Huron Landfill Site Board.
1 Larry J. McCabe, Secretary
P
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