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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2003-11-12, Page 7News Seaforth Masons collecting winter apparel but local distribution uncertain By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor While they're already collecting coats and other winter apparel for Huron County kids in need, the Seaforth Masons aren't sure whether local distribution will be possible this year. "It surprised me that the United Way has gotten out of the business this year," says Bruce Whitmore, organizer of the Seaforth Masons' Care for Kids program. "We'd like to make sure the coats we collect stay in the county but we're not set up to do the distribution here," he says. The Huron United Way announced recently that it does not have the room or the volunteers to run its Coats for Kids program this year since moving its head office from Clinton to Goderich. The Huron United Way collected coats from throughout the county, cleaned and distributed them. Because the Masons' Care for Kids' program covers Huron, Perth and Middlesex Counties, Whitmore says distribution points are still set up in Stratford through the Salvation Army and in London through the Memorial Boys and Girls Club. "There's a huge need in London. We took a vanload to them last year and they were so delighted. But, the need here is just as great and I'm not sure how we'll be getting the coats to kids here," he says. Coats, hats, mitts and scarves are already being donated to the Seaforth Masons and dropped off at Tremeer Printers. Whitmore says some local people have been knitting specifically for the Masons' coat program. He says when the program began in 1996, he was told that there are at least 1,000 kids in Huron County without adequate winter wear. Over the years, the Masons have collected from 600 to 900 coats and have never had anything left over. "They all find a home every year. There's never anything left lying around," he says. "I suspect there are families who are counting on it. It's a good program and I'd hate to see it end." Whitmore says the Seaforth Masons are going to continue the program this year and discuss at a regional meeting what to do about distribution in Huron County. "We're going to carry on as if it's a go," he says. Donations will be accepted at Tremeer's until Dec. 1. Huron East given mark of 75 per cent on consultant Thomas's `report card' By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor Huron East has been given a mark of 75 per cent from consultant Hugh Thomas, who was hired by the municipality earlier this year to determine if the three-year- old amalgamated community is working well. "I was quite pleased with that mark," said Mayor Lin Steffler in a telephone interview. Thomas's report was intended to be a "report card" for council which would involved interviewing everyone on council and the municipal staff and outlining any improvements that could be made. Since the report was released close to a month ago, council has had several closed sessions discussing and reacting to the report, once during a special meeting of council and once during a full-day strategic planning session for council and staff. A full public discussion of the report has not be held. "We have had a couple of personnel issues we had to deal with in closed session," said Steffler. She said the major problems identified by the report were concerned with communication between council and staff. Thomas's organizational review says the communication problem is a result of both councillors and staff members used to working in a smaller organization before amalgamation. "This has had a significant effect on the employees who were part of everything that was taking place in the former municipality, to now being involved in one sector of the operation. The result has been growing pains for the staff, who do not feel that the communication is as direct as it was previously," said the report. The report also said a number of employees had a difficult transition to the amalgamated municipality but now feel "the organization is coming together." Similarly, the report said council members have had a difficult transition since they were more actively involved in the details of the operation in their former municipality. "There is a feeling that the staff do not convey all of the detailed information that the council members feel they should be aware of," said the report. A series of 13 motions were recently passed by council to address those problems. "We wanted to make sure everyone is aware of what's going on," said Steffler. During the strategic planning session - attended by council and close to 40 staff members - the roles of councillors and staff were outlined, as were causes of conflict between the two. The causes of conflict included council micro - managing, council overriding policy, staff not following up on council's decisions, council and staff doing each other's jobs and a breakdown in communication. During the series of motions, council agreed to identify and rank its priorities for the current year before the budget process, include the department head and an Quoted 'Iwa please that Hur Mayor L s quite d with mark,'-- on East in Steffler Council considers tree planting suggestions Planting a smaller quanity of older trees and spending time every five years pruning them would be a better way to spend Huron East's tree budget, Paul Vander Molen told Huron East council at its Nov. 4 meeting. Vander Molen, who runs a local landscaping business, was invited to speak to council by McKillop Coun. Ferg Kelly about ways to improve tree planting in Huron East. "We don't know what we're doing when we plant trees," said Kelly. Because Vander Molen has worked under contract planting trees for the City of Stratford, he said he'd be willing to share • with Huron East his expertise on trees including the best species to plant in the area and the best way to maintain them and keep them healthy. "I drove up and down the country roads and a lot of the trees would benefit from a two -minute prune job," he said. Vander Molen said many Municipalities plant tree species that do not have a high survival rate, many of them from Europe that begin to decline when they are only 50 years old. "We should be planting a lot of sugar maple. In 1885, there was a government program that gave $25 to every farmer that could take a sugar maple to the roadside and keep it alive. That's why you see a lot of them today," he said. He also said he'd be able to help council find grant money through groups like the Trillium Foundation to create "a more aggressive" tree planting program. When asked by Seaforth Coun. Dick Burgess if he was hoping to market trees or be hired as a consultant by the municipality, Vander Molen said he is not looking for work. "We just like to help people requesting our help," he said. Deputy -Mayor Bernie MacLellan said Huron East staff could gain some knowledge from Vander Molen. "I'm not convinced I want to hire a contractor but a bit of knowledge and training from Paul would take us a long way," he said. Mayor Lin Steffler said council should advise the incoming council after Nov. 10's election to look at its tree planting policy. By Susan Hundertmark employee -chosen spokesman during budget discussions and advise staff of council's priorities within 30 days of its budget completion. As well, council agreed to adopt a standard report for each agenda item, have senior staff present at council meetings when their reports are discussed, develop a follow-up system providing the status of outstanding items, adopt a committee structure, define the role and responsibilities of all boards and meet with area municipalities once a year. The staff will hold department meetings within one week of meetings between department heads and the clerk administrator, tour all the municipal facilities in Huron East and use an established policy for their concerns. The report also suggested that current ward boundaries create an urban -rural or "we - they" split. "The council should give consideration to a future redefinition of the ward boundaries to include rural and urban areas within a ward. This•will change the perception that individual councillors are representing an urban or rural area only," said the report. It also suggested that council rethink the number of representatives per ward with a view to decreasing council's size. -_ - THANK YOU `- --St. James School Local School Council wishes to thank ; Ithe donors to our 2nd annual Halloween Dance/Silent - Auction held November I, 2003. We appreciate your generosity! Also, thank you to the families of St. James .School and area residents for your continued support! ;Ken & Lorraine Devereaux Metropolitan Toronto Zoo Sportsworld, Kitchener Western Fair London IMAX Theatre Kathy Lorentz Hare, RMT, CST, Goderich The Delchiaro Family - Knechtels Gwen Hugill Needful Things - Rob Walsh Maureen Wildfong - Culligan Real Estate Total Image II - Karen Ryan Brittany. Matt and Jacob Nigh Sherry Hugill Goderich Canadian Tire Wayne & Melita Cronin Marg Pavkeje Brad & Brenda Campbell Tom, Lynn, Connor & Kalen Devereaux Pat & Cathy Melady Ed & Sue Anne Van Miltenburg Paul & Lori Parsons Steffler Family, Huron Concrete Supply Michelle Henderson Brian & Janet Keys Paul Vander Molen - The Lawnmaster The Van Dieten family John & Joyce Devereaux The Marcy Family Larry McGrath Plumbing & Heating Mary Jean MacLeod Coca Cola Murphy Bus Lines John & Marian Van Dooren suLane Lettering Marineland, Niagara Falls Storybook Gardens, London Wheels Inn, Chatham Ontario Science Centre Canadian National Exhibition Sandra Jansen Winthrop Bus Lines Ltd. Pizza Train Marty & Anne Marie Bedard Terry & Fran Craig Brian & Sandra Melady RosrRibey Steve & Tracey Eckert Susan Janmaat Brian & Shelley McGavin Janice Moms TIE HURON EXPOSITOR, NOVEMBER 12, 2003-7 "4se4ted im Ate Weever sira wa esuaAp" ALBERT ST `.EST DENTURE CLINIC Denture Specialist Dean R. McTaggart D.D. Complete and Partial Dentures Denture Repairs Relines - Additions 482-1195 50 ALBERT STREET CLINTON CLINTON AND DISTRICT SNOWMOBILE CLUB A full season OFSC Trail Permit enables you to ride your sled on any open OFSC trail at any time during the winter. One annual fee buys you unlimited usage for an entire season, it also enables you to take part in club events and Regional Activities. • • JOIN TODAY Deadline Date December 1, 2003 FEES Until Dec. 1 - $160.00 After Dec. 1 - 6195.00 For more Information call 482-7138 after 6 pm • CLINTON Harold's Shell 482-9612 Clere-VU Auto Wreckers 482-3211 Edward Fuels 482-7381 PERMITS AVAILABLE AT: SEAFORTH Middegaal Pools and Sports 527-0104 Archies' Service Centre UPI Gas Bar 527-0881 Vincent Farm Equipment Ltd. (ski-doo) 527-0120 LONDESBORO Radford's Farm Equipment 523-4519 Membership Chairperson Jack Armstrong 482-7138 MAPLEWOOD MANOR Retirement Home 13 Church St., Seaforth At present we have Private and Semi -Private accommodations available. 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