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Home My WebLink AboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-08-10, Page 9Wednesday, August 10, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 9 Central Huron Councillor seeks answers Cheryl Meath OMI Agency County Councillor Brian liantim wants to talk about the relationship. At Huron County's Aug, 3 committee - of -the -whole session, Barnim (Central Huron) sought an answer as to why five booty municipalities - Goderich, Blue - water, Morris 'lltrnberry, Ashfield Col- borne Wawanosh and 1lowick - have Joined forces in a court action that will force a review of an earlier county deci- sion to allow Central !futon, limn East, South Huron and North Huron to keep an extra seat at the county table, "It was my understanding that we reached a compromise hack in January. Obviously, that is not the case," says Barnim. The challenge stems back to a 1999 county bylaw that sets the guidelines for how municipalities are represented at the county table. In essence, each munic- ipality is allocated one representative per 4,000 voters, meaning according to Municipal Property Assessment Corpo- ration (MPAC) data provided last fall, Central Huron, Iluron East and South Huron should have each lost their third representatives while North Huron should have lost its second voice at the county level. However, when the impacted municipalities questioned the validity of the MPAC data, and the proce- dure surrounding the bylaw was itself questioned, the county's legal advisor recommended keeping things status quo for this terns, Ultimately, that proved to be a deci- sion five county municipalities did not appreciate. "1b ale, this is a frivolous action," says Barnim, who suggests that the munici- palities' suit, if successful, puts every decision the county has made so far in jeopardy. "Everything) we dealt with so far would probably be subject to an appeal" While Barnim sought answers, county Chief Administnttive Officer [.torte Adams noted discussion on the bylaw was tabled and, according to procedure, the issue cannot again be brought forward before council without two-thirds of its support. Barnim later drove hint his point by suggesting every vote at the county level should now be recorded. "111 the hest 1IIte'tt'sts of ratepayers, werythitig should bea recorded vote," yttid Barnim to which Coun. Deb Shew- felt (Goderich) expressed his displeasure by remarking that liarnim's argument was a: "Joke. 11's a big joke," EXETER ecGahm CLINTON EMI. liarninl then asked for two recorded vote's before noting, "1 have made Illy point. 1 multi ting this meeting out" What ft? Who will fan the flames if a turbine catches fire proved to be on the mind of Coun. Bernie Maclellan (Huron East). At issue, he says, is whether the county has an Emergency Plan in place in the event that a turbine catches fire or a wind energy worker suffers a mis- hap while working in a cell. "Does the county have the ability to get him down?" he asked. County CA() Larry Adams pledged to delve further into that query with EMS Chief Dave I.ew. TO SON? To sell or not proved to be the question as the county's public works department is recommending the sale of a patrol yard, which is currently rented out to Lambton County. In noting the yard is home to dilapidated buildings and a damaged salt dome, public works director Dave Laurie suggests now may be the time to part ways with it. Coun. Joe Steffler (Huron East), however, says having a patrol yard in that portion of the county snake sense. "1t may be a short-term gain for a long-term loss," says Steffler. In contrast, Conn. George Robertson (South I lump) saw merit in the proposal. "Selling it is a good idea, it's going to cost us a fortune to keep it" he says, noting the patrol yard lands are likely contaminated. Councillors agreed to declare the property as sur- plus, and to have it appraised before selling it. New Buffer Plans are moving forward with a 150 -metre buffer area for the proposed Grand Bend sewage plant despite conceals expressed by one landowner. In appearing before the committee, landowner Mor- ley Eagleson says his concern sterns from the requisite change in zoning. Ile adds the other abutting property owner also likely has comments given his land is even more impacted. "It is likely going to decrease his property value," says Eagleson While county planner Claire Dodds notes the other prop- erty owner in question already received rumple notice of the buffer project, Goon. Brian Burlin (Central 1 luron) sug- gests some compensation might be in order for the impacted pair of landowners. Ultimately, councillors agreed to approve the buffer, which is a decision that must be ratified by council before the project moves forward. Rae Un Willy-nilly trete chopping is Need Mortgage Money? Farm S Resrdt'ntla. 1 & : Moltq,lge $ 3.25 Interest or Less • No upfront fees • Personal loans/mortgages • Consolidate your debts • Problem mortgage specialist Head Office Ph 519.744.6251 Llc. I/ 10163 If you qualify, payments: Mo Payment 5,000 ' 13.55 '10,000 ' 27.08 '50,000 '135.42 '100,000 '270.83 ASTRAL FUNDING INC. 1-800-387-1932 81 10th Sir .tet, H,Inover I he link* sweats Iha hag, s..w1•I1vl HER,ITAG 1 • All Things Allis Chalmers • Antique Tractor Pulls • Women's and Chlkiren's Programs 2 k1Io•iwtrus South of Peltiey 1,1% ,V Irl u, 01,1 d,lyr PIrl e • --a am .&I1 tJ August 19, :'11..' 1 HOW Ewntl lxhibits, Food • • not a crime that will go unpunished reports county foresty officer Dave Pullen. h1 presenting a report to the commit- tee, Pullen says a $2,000 fine was recently levied on tt contractor who cut down a swath of trues, including cherry, hickory ash and ample, without permission. In addition to the fine, says Pullen, the contractor has been ordered to allow the forest to regenerate, "Albeit it might take 60 to 70 years to be what it could be considered an important woodlot" adds Pollen. "I think it's great that we've taken this action," says Coun. Deb Shewfelt (Goderich). In another report, Pullen is attempting to educate woodlot owners about the potential value of their goods. "1 see landowners who are not getting good value for woodlots because land- owners often accept the first offer front a log buyer." Asb Borer Update Forestry conservation officer Dave Pul- len reports a recent meeting with stake- holders and I iuron-Bruce MPP Ben Lobb reveals there is a "real collaborative effort" under way in establishing guide- lines to mitigate the impact of the emer- ald ash borer. Pullen also adds his thanks to local industries for their voluntary compliance on ash products. More Money calling it a "good news" item, County Warden Neil Vincent (North Huron) reports the Federation of Canadian Municipalities recently announced it would be presenting the Take Action for Sustainable Huron project with a $24,901.31 grant. Vincent also encouraged fellow coun- cillors to attend the 1 iuron County Fed- eration of Agriculture's celebration of agriculture dinner on Aug. 25 in Belgrave, and the Iluron County plowing match near Winghatn on Aug. 26. LAMBTON COUNTY RESIDENTS DISPOSE OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE at this Special Mobile Event (Commercially Generated Hazardous Waste Will NOT be Accepted) CORROSIVE Batteries Drain Cleaners Oven Cleaners TOXIC Pestkides Rat Poison Pharmaceuticals Cleaning Fluids REACTIVE Poor Chemicals Ammonia Bleach Aerosols FLAMMABLE Gasoline, Paints BBQ Starter Oils, Solvents Propane Cylinders In every hoar there are products that need special care. 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IN.y\te Depot Mobile Event ',Nu, day August 27. 2011 ” 1114 .1,11 2 100 pin Publk Works Forest Depot, 6958 Townsend Line, LAMBTON SHORES, Ontario ClluNty nt LAMBTON For more information call the County of Lambton Public Works Department at 519 845-0801 / 1.866.324-6912 or visit www.Iambtononline.ca