HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-05-03, Page 3News and Views
County opposes gun law
By David Scott
Lakeshore Advance
Huron County Council offi-
cially took a stance against the
proposed federal legislation on
gun control at its April 27
meeting.
Councilor Bob Hallam of
West Wawanosh presented a
signed petition to county
council with signatures of
Huron County residents
opposed to Alan Rock's bill on
firearm registration.
"We, the undersigned wish to
propose that the County of
Huron send a letter to the
Minister of Justice stating that
as a government body we are
opposed to further legislation
in regard to gun control. We
feel that more emphasis
shblild be placed on crime
control and tougher sentences
for law -breakers rather than
asking law-abiding citizens of
this county to be burdened
with the cost of implementing
this bill which will have no
effect on the criminal ele-
ment," read Hallam to county
council. He made a motion to
support the petition, which
was seconded by Donald
Schultz of East Wawanosh.
Councilor Bill Clifford of
Goderich was opposed to the
petition.
I don't believe that this is a
matter that should be
addressed by this particular
council. We all have our own
opinions. And I think the
Ashfield
continued from front page
ing.
"You have the opportunity to
correct this situation today,"
Simpson told council. He said
the Planning and Development
Committee's response of hav-
ing a representative from
Ashfield sit on the committee
as a non-voting member was
unsatisfactory for two reasons.
"Firstly, it leaves Ashfield
Township residents without
' the basic democratic'privilege
of a vote. Secondly, once this
proposal had been reviewed
by Mr. Murphy, the county
solicitor, he made it very clear
in a letter to the county clerk -
administrator that under the
Planning Act county council-
lors have no jurisdiction to
appoint a non-member of
county council to this commit-
tee. Where does that leave
Ashfield Township?"
Simpson said he isn't asking
for a voting member so that
person can vote 'no' on every
issue involving this site.
"The citizens of Ashfield
have many concerns about the
process and the way it is being
handled. We intend to make
certain these concerns are
dealt with and the neighbours
of the landfill site and sur-
rounding landowners are
treated in a fair and up -front
'manner. We realize Ashfield
Township was part of the pro-
cess from the beginning to
find and develop a county-
wide landfill site. To try to
stop the process just because
one remaining qualifying site
is in our back yard would be
irresponsible," said Simpson.
Despite a letter requesting a
postponement of drilling by
the CCAT (Concerned
Citizens of Ashfield
Township), test drilling began
at the Ashfield site last
Monday. Two 50 -foot bore
holes were completed at the
time of Thursday's County
Council meeting. Seven holes
in total will be drilled; three to
the bedrock and four 50 -foot
holes.
A few councillors were con-
cerned that perhaps they
should wait for the results of
the drilling tests before any
decision is made on a voting
member for Ashfield.
"is this voting member on a
committee worth changing a
procedural by-law?," asked
Councilor Pat Down of
Usborne Township, a member
of the Planning and
Development Committee.
There was also the concern a
precedent might be set that
would open the door for all
special interest groups if the
procedural by-law is changed
for Ashfield.
County councillors didn't see
the necessity to set up a sepa-
rate committee if a representa-
tive from Ashfield was given
voting privileges on the
Planning and Development
Committee.
Member of Parliament (Paul
Steckle), it was part of his job
to express the concerns as he
read them. I think we're step-
ping into deep water here.
We'd be better not to polarize
this again," said Clifford.
What followed were com-
ments of support for the peti-
tion. Jack Coleman of Stanley
Township voiced his support
for the letter, as did Mason
Bailey of Blyth.
"I think in view of the fact
that our Member of Parliament
went well out his way, risking
his career to represent us as
well as he did, the least we
could do is support him in his
endeavors," said Bailey.
In clarification Warden
Bruce Machan replied, "I'm
not sure that we're talking
about the same thing. It's one
thing to support our MP, it's
another thing to support this
gun control law." The petition
and motion from Councilor
Hallam were read again.
Councilor Pat Down of
Usborne Township offered an
alternative to the petition.
"I think the legislation (new
federal gun control) is past
first and second reading. It's
up for changes. If we want
changes, that's what we should
be sending - some constructive
criticism," said Down. She
pointed out the urban differ-
ence of opinion regarding gun
control.
"The majority of the popula-
tion of Canada live in urban
centres and they feel threat-
ened. We have to show some
kind of constructive way to
get around this. Just saying
this is bad is not going to do
anything,,' said Down.
Councilor Hallam spoke to
his motion prior to a vote.
"I realize the urban and the
rural might have different con-
flicting views on this proposal.
But in the rural (areas) we
have rabid animals we have to
destroy and we need it (guns)
for our protection, for pest
control. Hunters, they're using
their guns responsibly. I think
it's time the government acts
responsibility and go after the
criminal elements that misuse
guns. This (new federal) legis-
lation will encourage smug-
gling of illegal weapons
because the criminal element
will make sure they have a so-
called 'clean gun' if they are
going on a critne," said
Hallam.
In a show of hands there was
a considerable number of
votes both for and against the
petition but the motion was
passed without a recorded
vote.
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, May 3, 1995-3
TEM CUM?n1.J 3 PHOTO
CREATURES OF THE EARTH - Mike Bieber, a fourteen -
year -old student at Seaforth Public School, found this snake
in the field as he and his classmates were planting trees at
Hullett Conservation Area.
Hullett Township
NOTICE
Rentors or Ratepayers are requested by the
Hullett Township Council, not to dump or
throw stones or other waste material on the
Township roadsides, in order to avoid damage
to the Township mowers during grass cutting
operations.
If any stones or other waste material are found, the
owner will be contacted to remove or it will be
done at the owner's expense.
Jim Johnston, CAS (Intermediate)
Road Supt.
Township of Hullett
Londesborough
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