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Home My WebLink AboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-03-16, Page 9Library board's size matters to county Cheryl Heath OM Agency As the Huron County Library Board seeks to begin a new chapter in its meeting schedule, Huron County i Hunch is eyeing a proposal 1'.t would see the board's niembership cut by more than half. At Huron County Council's March session, library board chairman Brian Barnim inad- vertently brought the issue to the forefront while noting some library board trustees find the time allotted for their monthly sessions, at about 45 minutes, does not give them a chance to fully debate issues and instead, renders the board's duties as little more than a rubber-stamping session. "They want to be more involved," suggests Barnim, who upon questioning from councillors, notes trustees would like to see "somewhere in the neighbourhood of three hours" allotted for the meet- ings, which are held 11 times per year. Coun. Bernie MacLellan (I baron East), who has sat on the board in past years, notes he would be "surprised" if the current time allotment is not adequate. But, he says, the board could consider meeting earlier if more time is required. Or, suggests MacLellan, the board could meet at 11:30 a.m., after the county's second monthly committee -of -the - whole session. "I bet they won't go three hours," adds MacLellan. Barnim s presentation com- pelled Coun. Ben Van Uiepenbeek (Ashfield Col- borne Wawanosh) to question both the minimum and maxi- mum number of library board members as per provincial legislation. Upon learning from cultural services director Beth Ross that five members is the mini- mum while 13 is the maxi- mum, and the current compo- sition for I luron County, Van Uiepenbeek suggests perhaps it is time to shrink the board. "Front what 1 see, I don't believe we need 13 people sit- ting there discussing libraries," he says. Van Uiepenbeek's motion earned the unabashed sup- port of Coun. George Robert- son (South 1 iuron), who notes he trade the same suggestion a few years ago. While the cultural services director reports any change to the library board's composi- tion will have to come at the Wednesday, March 16, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 9 heels of the next municipal election in 2014, MacLellan says the county would be pru- dent to ask the county solici- tor to "start the process now since there is a common per- ception there are too many people sitting on the board." Coun. John Grace (Goderich), however, suggests a report should be brought forward for council's review before moving ahead with such a drastic cut. "Should it Just be 13 to 5, boom!" he asked. Grace's suggestion earned the support of Coun. Art Vers- teeg (Iiowick) and, ultimately, council itself as the motion to shrink the board was tabled pending further review. The move led Barnim to joke that "once again, I've proven if you want to reduce a board or get rid of it com- pletely, put me on it" since such seems to be the popular course of action in Central I lumn. As for the tinge -constraint concerns, Barnim has been directed to bring back coun- cil's suggestions to the board for its consideration. As it stands, the Huron County Library Board is com- prised of six county council- lors, six members of the public and the county warden. Manufacturing efficiencies project, presented by Sustainable Huron Lakeshore Advance The Sustainable I luron cant- paign is pleased to present the Manufacturing Efficiencies Project, an early win project for the County of Huron's Sustain- ability Plan. The project, devel- oped in partnership with Huron County's Sustainable Huron Plan, the Huron Manu- facturing Association and the Midwestern Green Jobs Strat- egy, offers manufacturers the opportunity to improve their triple -bottom line for free! Companies are encouraged to submit an application by March 31, 2011 for the chance to participate in this exciting initiative. Selected companies will receive free consultation with a sustainable business expert on integrating cost-effective sus- tainable solutions, such as identifying eco and energy efficiencies. Participants will also receive a sustainable busi- ness toolkit equipped with the tools and tips for increasing efficiencies, reducing environ- mental impact and contribut- ing to the local community, all while striving to reduce overall costs. Companies who partici- pate in this project will also be featured on the LIMA website. The Manufacturing Efficien- cies Project is an early win project for the Iluron County Sustainability Plan. The Sus- tainability Plan is a long-range plan designed to provide a framework to address environ- mental, social, cultural and economic issues in the County and its 9 individual munidpali- ties. Me Plan builds upon the results of Take Action for Sus- tainable Huron. As a part of the Plan's comprehensive strat- egy, the County of Huron and its partners will implement a Cathy Needs a Home! 011924912 11111111=111110111111111101111111101111 ROYAL LEPAGE Ask Marje about Cathy and Real Eatate at 98 ONTARIO STS in Grand Bend (next to House of Flags, Sears & No Frills) Marje Crowe* is helping Sarnia-Lambton SPCA find adoptive parents for Cathy, who has been at the Shelter since November! If you can give Cathy a loving & happy home, please call Marje for more information or go online to 011924912 on the SPCA website at luipla arm ah mane ociety.com Helping You is What I Do! 37 Years of Caring Experience! If you're buying or selling your home or cottage, please call Marje Crowe* at $19-661-0380 ... and don't forget to spay or neuter your pets. series of pilot projects to build momentum, foster sustainable initiatives, and lewd by exam- ple. This pilot project relates directly to the economic goal identified 111 alike Action, call- ing for the creation and distri- bution of a sustainable busi- ness best practice guide. '1'o learn more visit http://www. huroncounty.ca/sustainable- huron/. Any questions can be directed to takeaction@humn- county.ca or by phone to (519) 524-8394 ext. 3. For more information on the Manufacturing Efficiencies Project and to download the application fonts, visit the Sus- tainable 1 iuron blog at http:// sustainablehuron.wordpress. com/. Interested parties are asked to submit their applica- tions of interest by Thursday, March 31, 2011 to takeaction@ huroncounty.ca, by fax to 416- 536-3453 or by mail to: Lura Consulting c/o Lindsey / 4/ food item to be donated to the Food B..ak THE Garden Gate GIFTS & FLORALS Please join us for our... "Spring Open House" Saturday, March 19th 9:OO am-5:OOpm 15% Off Storewide when you bring in a non-parishabk • Door Prizes (Sale Excludes - Greeting Cards, Gourmet Foods, Fresh )'lowers & Potted Plants) 15 Ontario Street South, Grand Bend 519-238-1701 www.thegardengate.ca Goodchild, 515 Consumers Road - Suite 201, 'Toronto, ON M214Z2. For up-to-date information on the project and what events Sustainable Huron Project 'Warn members will be attend- ing, find us on 'Twitter and Fac ebook. Choices for Seniors Information on Independent Living Managing Heart Health at Hosie February is Heart Month! Over a million Canadians are living with heart disease today, and the cost to the economy in more than $22 billion per year. Last year, the Canadian Heart Health Strategy and Action Plan expressed new resolve to improve the nation's heart health through increasing cardiac research, creating built environments that encour- age more physical activity, promoting healthier dietary choices, and training more physicians. For Canadians who are living with heart disease today, effective management of the condition is often a town effort between patient, healthcare provider, and fiunily caregivers. Most people with heart disease prefer to remain in the comfort of their own home rattler than move to a nursing home or other care community. Families want to honor the senior's choice—but they worry about whether their loved one is sant living independently. And caregivers should also be mindful of their own health. Carogiving can be stressful and physically challenging. As we saw in the February 2009 issue of Choices, a study from Columbia University showed that fiunily caregivers may themselves be at higher risk for heart disease. So it's important to take advantage of available support services, including the help of in-home cau'e professionals. For more information 00 this and other topics. please visit "Choices' online at littp://choices.rotireathome.com 8poneor•d by: Land p Colette Executive Director Retire -At -Homo Service: Tel: 511x -884-88x0 www, retlreethouwhpm.ccnn R1:I'IIrl: AFI lO l YourH•alth. YourHome. YourChote•.