HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1996-09-11, Page 611-11111 HURON EXPOSITOR. Sompteessibsor 11, 1994
News and Views
Council goes in -camera for 40 minutes
County employees afraid of losing jobs
BY BLAKE PATTERSON
SSP News Staff
A suggestion to have an
independent third party inves-
tigate the conduct of Huron
County's administration died
on the floor Thursday at
Huron County Council.
In responsc.to.a series of
anonymous letters alleged
misconduct by county offi-
. cials, Coun. Tom Cunningham
of Mullett Twp. requested that
the county consider support-
ing a motion passed by the
Goderich town council recom-
mending an unbiased third
party he askedto investigate
the allegations:
Cunningham has spearhead-
ed efforts to have the accusa-
tions and the county adminis-
tration investigated.. •
The Goderich motion was
based on a similar motion
issued by Cunningham's
township council.
"It isn't going to die until it
is dealt with properly," said
Cunningham.
So far, Colborne Twp.,
Turnherry Twp., Brussels,
Blyth, Bayfield and Goderich
councils have supported the
Hullctt motion.
. Cunningham said the talk is
on the streets is about the
county administration and the
['Huron County
Council
people with the most serious
concerns are county employ-
ees who are hesitant to come
forward for fear of losing their
jobs.
"They are afraid to come
forward, they feel it would
jeopardize their employment,"
he said adding that the issue
has gone far beyond the letters
and now deals with the public
perception of the council.
"Until we put that (concern)
to rest, even though there may
he nothing wrong, the public's
perception of us is that we -are
dithering and not looking after
their interests."
After listening to
Cunningham's comments,
Warden Bill Clifford asked for
further questions from the
floor. Cunningham's request
for an independent review was
never revisited.
Some support was offered
by Coun. Mason Bailey and
Coun. Bob Hallam, but the
council took no further action
beyond approving a recom-
mendation by the
Administration, Finance and
Personnel committee.stating
that any councillor who has a
Councillors think county
being `short-changed'
by province on highways
BY BLAKE PATTERSON
SSP News.Staff
`Give us more money, or
you can keep your highways.'
That was the message some
members of Huron County
Council want to make clear to
•the provincial government
regarding the transfer of
Highways 83, 84 and 87 to the
county.
At the regular monthly
meeting of Huron County
Council Sept. 5, council was
told the county will receive a
one-time only grant of $4.4 -
million from the province to
help compensate for the April
1 transfer of the highways.
Some of the councillors,
however, think the county is
being short changed.
In 1995, a county -commis-
sioned study of the three high-
ways indicated that $6.4=mil-
lion would be needed to
address the immediate needs
of the transferred roads, and
council wanted to know where
the county plans to find the
extra $2 -million?
Coun. Bill Mickle from
Exeter said increasing proper-
ty taxes to support the transfer
of provincial highways to the
county is unacceptable.
"I think we should fight the
increase," he said. "Tax pay-
ers are already up to the tops
of their heads with taxation."
Earlier this year, the county
sent a letter to Huron -Perth
MPP Helen Johns expressing
concern about the highway
transfer, but Micklc said the
time for words is past.
"1 think it goes beyond writ-
ten objections," said Micklc,
"we need to take action. It's
time for somebody to stand up
and say, 'No, find another
way.' It's time to take a
stand."
Mickle's comments opened
a flood gate of comment from
the other councillors.
Coun. Mason Bailey said he
was delighted that someone
had finally stood up and
called for action.
"It's time we stopped saying
please," he said.
Coun. Tom Cunningham
from Mullett Twp. said the
public needs to know provin-
cial downloading means tax
payers in the municipalities
will shoulder the burden of
provincial dept through higher
taxes and more inconve-
nience.
"The province will balance
their hooks," said
Cunningham, "hut the munici-
palities are going to have to
pick it up."
t
The highways to be trans-
ferred include Highway 83
from Highway 21 to the Perth
boundary; Highway 84 from
Highway 21 to Hensall; and
Highway 87 from Highway 86
to the Wellington County
boundary. The additional
highways represent a 70.6
kilometer increase to the
county road system. '
Maintenance on these high-
ways is expected to cost the
county an additional $367,120
per year.
The council deferred further
discussion of the highways
transfer until after the annual
road tour scheduled for Sept.
10. •
specific question or concern is
welcome to bring it forward at
any time.
The council then went into a
40 -minute closed session to
discuss the matter further in
detail.
MORRIS TRACT
The Friends of the Morris
Tract have made it. At the
Sept. 5 session of Huron
County Council, it was
announced that the Nature
Conservancy of Canada,
despite being $30,000 short of
their $185,000 fund-raising
goal, will purchase•the proper-
ty and close the deal on Sept.
20.
Huron County Council
agreed to the closing date.
The Nature Conservancy
also asked council for finan-
cial support in the ongoing
management of the nature
reserve. The request was
referred to the Planning and
Development committee for
consideration as part of the
county's tourism and econom-
ic development strategy.
TREE TRAGEDY
Port Albert resident Bill
Westbrook will get his forest
hack.
On July 17, a weed cutting
company contracted by Huron
County mistakenly mowed
down 1,000 baby trees in
Westbrook's hack yard, but at
Huron County Council Sept.
5, the Agriculture and Public
Works committee reported
the 'weed cutting' incident
has been addressed and retri-
bution will be made.
In minutes from the
Agriculture and Public Works
Committee meeting Aug. 6, it
was explained that the tree
damage was due to 'poor
communication' between the
contractor and his operator. It
also said the contractor has
accepted fault and replace-
ment of the trees will go
through the contractor's
insurance. The landowners
have agreed and. will co-oper-
ate with the replacement
process.
County Clerk -Administrator
Lynn Murray informed the
council that she thinks the
operator of the tractor which
mistakenly cut down the trees
was a young person who is no
longer in the employ of the
contractor.
Call Dave or
Gregor at
527-0240.
with your
news tips!
FITNESS IS FUN
with Drusilla Leitch
TUESDAY - THURSDAY MORNINGS
Slower paced Aerobics but still a great
workout"
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. - Aerobics
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. - Line Dancing (Tuesdays only)
- come dance to the oldies
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS
"Choose between Step or Floor Aerobics or
Both" , ..
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Step Aerobics with Body
Sculpting
8:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Floor Aerobics
All above classes will be held at the Seaforth
& District Community Centres
Beginning Tuesday, September 17, 1996
This will be a 10 Week Session
and Fees are as follows:
1 Class per week: $38.00
2 Classes per week - $55.00
3 Classes per week - $70.00
4 Classes per week - $100.00
Call 527-0882 for registration or information
AN Deposits
Insured
Within Limits
Rates subpd
To Verification
606%
S YEAR
ANNUAL
Meet - .
5.1 6.1 3a6.11-,
WailCom" rOsys
lnuestmeriGentre
Investment & Tax Planning
Secure Investment Products ... from people you an trust
SEAFORTH 96 Main St. 521.0420
OOPS!
MANUFACTURER GOOFS
Due to an error in colouring on front panel, WHITE Sewing Machine
Company has just released for sale to the public a limited number of
new 1996 HEAVY DUTY FREE ARM WHITE ZIG ZAG SEWING
MACHINES MODEL 1955. No tension adjustment needed, and
sews on all fabrics: denim, canvas, upholstery, nylon, stretch. vinyl,
silk, EVEN SEWS ON LEATHER! No attachments needed for but-
tonholes (any size), monograms, hems. Sews on buttons, satin
stitches, overcasts, darns, appliques, overlock and more. Just set
dials -and see magic happen without old-fashioned cams or pro-
grammers. These machines are suitable for home, professional or
school room sewing. 20 year warranty. Previously priced at 5579.00.
Free service and lessons. Terms available. Lay -A -Way. PAYMENTS
AS LOW AS $25.00 PER MONTH.
ONLY $288°°
�P OICiP ;Tab& oz'hDppP
23 Albert St., Stratford Hours: Mon. -Sat. 9:30-5
273-5773
S.D.H.S.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
GENERAL MEETING
*Do I have any say on how the education of
my child is handled?*
If you have asked youself this question, now is the.
chance to become involved, educated and a part
of your child's future!
FIND OUT:, -
WHO will be on S.D.H.S. Advisory Council
WHAT will the council's role be
WHEN do the meetings occur
WHY is the government looking to the
community for advice
-WHERE—
SEAFORTH DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL
OCT. 18/96 -
7:00 p.m.
—QUESTIONS?—
Contact The School 527-0380
rn
a
a
•
C/)
-J
0
0
a
•
w
0
w
C/)
•
to
to
•
N
-J
0
0
a
•
w
0
> .INDOORS
CC r OR OUT
w
to
• SPAS • SERVICE • • POOLS • SPAS • SERVICE • POOLS • SPAS • SERVICE • POOLS • SPAS • SERVICE • POOLS • SPAS •
Sunday
& Evenly;
appointments
v
t �
Model 320
Model 350 M 5 person 13 Jets
79" x 87" x 36"
FUN
SPA
110 V
10 person 15 Jets
93" x 92" x 40"
OUR BIGGEST SPA
'569900
OUR
BEST
SELLER
$3499®
6 person
15 Jets
78" x 89" x 36"
$499900
Model 520
Q.
Cr)
•
C/)
J
0
0
•a
w
0
cc
w
•
to
to
a
(1)
•N
-J
0
0
•a
•
w
0
a
w
t
(J
a
m
•
FITS
DO'.'/N
STAIRS
Model 580
NEC•
x -4
SHOULDER
JETS
3 person '459900
8 person
25 Jets or only s240?"
per month
89"x89"x36" was'eer
to
•
m
33
m
•
•
0
0
(J)
•
to
-o
to
•
(1)
m
•
m
0
0
0
1
•
m
-D
(1)
to
al
i7
1 YEAR OF FREE SPA CHEMICALS
(S302 Valu..) V/ITH ALL SPAS PURCHASED t3EFORE SEPT. 30 76
Model 720 6 person 20 Jets
We're Open
Monday :500 pm
g•.00 am
Saturday Pm
g,� S • SERVICE POOLS • SPAS • SERVICE • FOOLS • SPAS • SERVICE • POOLS • SPAS • SERVICE • POOLS • SPAS •
OUR !.•OST
r, omf OWAE.I E
` . '62990°'7299. *% ,
i •' ('• or or • 7t,,,:
`� s-.
:e '-= '',1., • • only'24or• only'2sor. --
...? I per month per month
was'6oea'• was Mier,
80" x 88" x 36"
Model 740
TOP
.7F THE
LINE
6 person 32 Jets Model 730
89"x89"x36"
•Rased on 36 months.
Rates may vary.
Monthl r a ent Includes all taxes, chemicals, Installation. Cash & carr • rice - add taxes, chemical & installation.
6 person '8199: °
174 Mile North of Wingham on Hwy. #4
1-800-716-8685
•
v
0
0
r
•
to
-a
to
to
m
F)
•m
v
O
0
t—
tn
•
to
v
to