Huron Expositor, 2007-12-12, Page 7The Huron Expositor • December 12, 2007 Page 7
News
Councillors veto committee structure changes
Cheryl Heath
CEBEEMEEM
Some county councillors
had a change of heart.
After voting 11 to 8 in
favour of a committee -struc-
ture change during a record-
ed vote in a November com-
mittee -of -the -whole session,
some councillors did an
about-face in order to veto
the proposed change at
Wednesday's county -council
session.
Coun. John Bezaire
(Central Huron) was the
first to speak out in opposi-
tion to the proposal, which
was being touted as a way
to save the county money in
staff time and councillor
honorariums, as well as a
way to streamline opera-
tions and prevent rehashing
the same debate.
"In theory, it's probably a
logical thing to do," said
Bezaire, adding his experi-
ence as chair of the Health,
Social Services and
Ambulances Committee has
shown him the other side of
the argument.
"The one thing that struck
me is I'm very proud of the
work the committee did," he
said. "I guess what I'm say-
ing is, if I may, is I have
equal faith and confidence
in my fellow members."
Coun. Bernie MacLellan
(Huron East) identified him-
self as one of the councillors
who'd had a change of heart
since the last session.
MacLellan said part of the
rationale for the change is
eliminating five committees
in favour of two committee -
of -the -whole meetings each
month would lead to seven -
hour long meetings.
"I'm not ready yet, either,
to scrap what we have
been doing," he said.
Coun. Bert Dykstra
(Central Huron) also
identified himself as a
representative who'd
changed his mind.
"It's quite onerous to
be sitting here as a com-
mittee of 20," said
Dykstra, adding elimi-
nating the present-day
committee structure
might prove intimidating
to members of the public
who currently present
their arguments to com-
mittees comprised of
about six people.
Coun. Joe Seili (Huron
East) reiterated his
opposition to the the pro-
posal.
"I hope it's only my
perception, but after we
have lunch I feel some of
the stuff gets rushed
through because people
want to get going," he
said, adding it is his fear
some areas will suffer
because the topics will be
quickly dealt with.
"I know it works in
other counties but
they're not making it
work with 20 members
around the table," adds
Seili.
Meanwhile, Coun. Bill
Dowson (Bluewater)
counts himself among
those favouring the
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"I have to speak again in
favour of this motion," he
says, adding he'd like to try
participating in the new
committee structure on a
year-long trial basis.
Coun. Ken Oke (South
Huron) also supported the
change.
"I've seen this work in the
county south of us," he says.
Ultimately, the motion was
defeated in an 11 to nine
recorded vote.
0
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
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If you know a young person, aged 6 to 17, who is involved in worthwhile community
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