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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2017-02-15, Page 22 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, February 15, 2017 Looking to Volunteer at IPM 2017? There are many different opportunities for all ages and abilities. Tens of thousands of peo- ple will soon descend in Walton, Ont. as the Interna- tional Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) hosts its 100th Match, September 19-23 2017. Volunteers have been organizing this event for four years; organizing the infra- structure to welcome exhibi- tors and visitors to "Tented City, booking entertainment acts, and organizing an edu- cational program for school children, to name a few of the many activities. Further still, IPM 2017 will need the support of 1000 volunteers in the month of September to help ensure a successful event. "There are many volun- teers needed to run an IPM because we want to be able to reinvest all the monies made back into our local 'community and community groups" says Mary Garriock, Co -Chair of Volunteers. "You can volunteer as a group or volunteer as an individual on behalf of a community organization. We will be tracking the number of peo- ple worked and the number of hours worked, and if IPM 2017 generates a profit, we will redistribute a portion of those dollars back to the community groups that helped us during the Match. It's a win-win for everyone!" There are many different opportunities and activities that one can help volunteer with no matter the age or ability. Before the Match begins there are opportuni- ties to get the site ready, directing exhibitors to their locations and landscaping the activity tents. When the Match is open, volunteers are needed to direct traffic and help people to park, drive tractors, meet and greet at the gate, receive tick- ets, share knowledge at the information booths, and make lunches for the plow competitors, just to name a few... Volunteers can sign up online by going to plowing- match.org/volunteer- ipm-2017 or by attending one of the IPM 2017 lead up events throughout Huron County: Seaforth Library Thursday February 16th 6 - 8pm Bayfield Arena Sunday March 5th 1- 3 pm REACH Huron, Clinton Sunday April 2nd loam - 5pm For additional informa- tion, email Mary Garriock and Lori Vanstone, IPM 2017 Volunteer Co -Chairs ipm- 2017volunteers@gmail.com The lawyer, Matt Chapman, representing two Seaforth residents who have created a fruit orchard on municipal property, told council his clients are willing to maintain the area if it was allowed to stay. Behind the stop sign is where Seaforth residents have planted more than a dozen fruit trees on municipal property. At the last Huron East council meeting Feb. 7, they voted in favour to remove this orchard by July 1. Huron East instructed residents to remove fruit trees off municipal property Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor The council of Huron East has put the brakes on a fruit orchard growing on munici- pal property in Seaforth. Upon purchasing a house in 2014, two males were under the impression that if they performed landscaping duties, along with the overall upkeep at 94 Coleman Street, they could use the land. At the October 4 2016 council meeting, Brad Knight, CAO of Huron East and Huron East Mayor, Bernie MacLellan said those commitments were not fol- lowed appropriately. During the meeting, coun- cil developed a report with a choice of three options for ATTENTION ADVERTISERS: EARLY DEADLINE EARLY DEADLINE FOR the February 22nd Seaforth Huron Expositor ALL ADS must be in by loam on Thursday, February 16 NGron Expositor 8 Main St., Seaforth PH: 519-527-0240 www seaforthhuronexpositorcom tri r' EAS R Y future consideration of the land - rental of the land, share use of the land or no use of the land. "With respect to no use of the land, it is obviously an option for council to consider, but some thought would have to be given to the fruit trees that have been planted on the property," Knight stated in a background document he had prepared. Before the Feb. 7 meeting Knight also formulated a potential lease for council to reflect on. Some of the main points highlighted included limiting use of the garden or maintaining the grass and the allowance of existing fruit trees with no further tree planting. This would need to be looked at by council and only then be granted if they agreed with such demands of the lease. However a signed petition from about 30 concerned residents within the area played a role in this decision. One resident in a wheelchair wrote a letter, saying she was not able to leave her house much. Seeing as the two men were using the property for their own use, the current situation stopped her from using the green space. "Wheeling across the road with my dog on a good day (is) essential to my quality of life," she said in the letter. Bob Wright has lived on George Street - directly across the street for the past 27 years; he opposed the suggested lease saying the lot should be accessible to the public. He said the men had already installed fence posts without permission. "Where do we start and where do we stop." Matt Chapman, the lawyer who represents the two gar- den owners said his clients are not able to install a fence on their property due to insurance reasons. Otherwise they would have put the garden on their own acreage. Chapman disclosed that a recent break-in at the two men's home has only made the matter worse, from his understanding it is being investigated by the OPP and at the moment there are no leads to who the perpetra- tors are. Along with the garden, he said this has also put a damper on his clients. NOTICE MID -HURON LANDFILL SITE The Mid -Huron Landfill site will be closed on Wednesday February 22, 2017 due to staff training for health and safety requirements including the handling of hazardous materials. Larry J. McCabe Secretary ea orthhuronex ' ositor.co Brussels councillor, John Lowe admitted although he was sorry for the crime, he would still be voting to remove the fruit garden. "People are worried about the grass, I think with the fruit trees, there will be pruning needed and that becomes a mess," Lowe directed his statements to Chapman. Even if half of the. property is taken up by the house, that's 5,000 square feet, (which) is a lot of garden," — said Seaforth Coun. Bob Fisher Since the gentleman have about 10,000 square feet, Seaforth Coun. Bob Fisher directed them to move the garden to fall on their prop- erty line. "Even if half of the prop- erty is taken up by the house, that's 5,000 square feet, (which) is a lot of garden," said Fisher. "I think they have plenty of room." Council voted in favour of removing the fruit trees, they advised that they also are not leasing the property to be used as a private garden; the two men are instructed to have this mission accom- plished by July 1. Kevin Wilbee, councillor for the McKillop Ward rec- ommended that the munici- pality build a fence to pre- vent any future problems.