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Home My WebLink AboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-12-07, Page 11Wednesday, December 7, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 11 County learns insurance won't pick up the tab Cheryl Heath OM1 Agency Huron County Councillors that were hoping their insurer could pick up the tub for an asbestos -laced courthouse received some unwelcome news at the Nov, 30 session in Clinton, Derek Sarluis, vice-presi- dent of the Frank Cowan Insurance Company, was on hand to report that the coun- ty's insurance policy is broad enough to state that whether asbestos was blown in or was on site in the wake of the Aug. 21 tornado is irrelevant given that any type of asbestos cleanup is excluded from pol- icies as an industry -wide standard. "That is the message we have to deliver," says Sarluis. During a question period with councillors, Coun. Paul Knopp (Bluewuter) suggested it semis unfair that the county could not tender out which company would be entrusted to tackle the asbestos cleanup protect at the courthouse, but Sarluis says the county could have chosen another contrac- tor though given the mature of the work, the costs would've been about the same. "We had to act quickly. We had to get that courthouse cleaned up;" says Sarluis. Meanwhile, Coun. Deb Shewfelt (Goderich) says it seems ironic insurance com- panies won't insure busi- nesses as an industry -wide standard given there are com- panies in Quebec that still ship asbestos, "flow did it become such an issue?" asked Shewfelt. me, I think, it's gone over the top," While noting the Ministry of Labour sets the standard for asbestos cleanup, Sarluis said asbestos became a concern after a number of claims were settled in the U.S., relating to cancers caused by asbestos. "The Ministry of Labour said it can't be in the work- place," says Sarluis. "Has it gone over the top? It's like any situation when you're trying to correct a situation that's gone on for years" In questioning whether the originator of the asbestos con- tamination could be handed the bill for the cleanup, Cour. Joe Sterner (Iluron East) says it could be a liability issue. "'That he the needle In the haystack, I think," says Sarluis, adding even if the culprit was found, they would be unlikely to pick up the estimated $990,000 tab since their insur- ance would not cover It either. County CA() Larry Adams notes the county has applied for Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program funding to help pick up the cleanup project's tab. 'Organizational Review' After holding several ses- sions that excluded county administrators, including CAO Larry Adams, county council endorsed a call to hire On a consultant at a cost "not exceeding $100,000" in order to conduct an "organizational review." County solicitor (;reg Stew- art acted in the capacity as clerk in accordance with min- istry rules guiding such sessions. In an interview with The News -Record, Coun. Bernie MacLellan (l1uron East) said the purpose of the review is to provide a "report card" on both county council and its administration. MacLellan says though the process is not one, that is regu- larly followed, councillors are considering implementing regular reviews for all of the county's operations. "It's something that maybe should be done every full term of council," he says. '1'he consultant, George (:tiff, halls from Alberta, and was picked from a handful of consultants that %Vel'e 1'et'Otll- mended by a consultant, For Ilumanity Habitat for humanity's Huron County chapter is Need Mortgage Money? Fain) f srdentral t Mortgag S 3.25 Interest or Less • No upfront tees • Personal loans /mortgages • Consolidate your debts • Problem mortgage specialist Hood 011k. Ph: 519.74414251 Lk. 10163 If you quality, Amt AWOL ' 5,000 '10,000 '50,000 '100,000 payments: Mo. Payment ' 13.55 ' 27.08 '135.42 '270.83 ASTRAL FUNDING INC. t4 10th Street 1-800 Ha novei -387-1932 receiving a financial boost care of the proceeds of the second -annual Iluron County's Warden's golf tournament fun- draiser held in the fall. In making the presentation of more than $5,000, Iluron County Warden Neil Vincent says he opted to follow in the footsteps of the fundraiser's creator, last warden Bert Dykstra (Central Huron, as I iabitut is a noble organization. In accepting the donation, Ilabitat's volunteer treasurer Glenn 1layter reports the chapter is in the process of building its seventh house in the county. I layter encouraged county councillors to seek out families to apply for the pos- sibility of purchasing a habitat home since there is often a dearth of applicants. Another Habitat build is planned for Clinton in 2012, Fond Farewell Huron County Warden Neil Vincent (North Iluron) took time out at county council's last official session for 2011 by saying what was promising to be a quiet year proved to be anything hut. With a year punctuated by challenges, including a devastating 1:3 tornado and a court case, Vincent thanked his peers for their support. "'Thank you for the opportunity of being the warden this year. 1 hope I've represented your views," said Vincent, who notes he made a donation in coun- cil's nurse to the Goderich and Area Dis- aster Relief Fund. In paying tribute to Vincent's efforts, Coun. Deb Shewfelt (Goderich) said, "'There has been some rocky roads, but you've handled It well:" County CA() Larry Adams also thanked Vincent for his leadership on behalf of county management and staff. The November session is the last one scheduled for the I heron County health Unit auditorium in Clinton, as the next session of Council, its inaugural, will take place at the county courthouse in Goderich at 1 p.m., Dec. 7, where a new warden will be elected. As it stands, only Coun. Bernie Mact.el- Ian (1 luron East) has expressed interest in the post. Ilurt Feelings The Avon Maitland District School Board Is not amused. According to Coun. John (race (Goderich), board officials were not pleased by a recent county -fuelled reso- lution that asks the board to consider keeping schools rural when possible dur- ing the Accommodation Review process, While County Warden Neil Vincent (North Huron) notes this isn't the first time [lemon County Council has provided its input, Grace says the board made note that it was "disappointed" in the county's comments. 'l'he board also noted Perth County didn't ask for any special considerations. Finding Aid County Housing Manager Barb Hall reports the county is looking at ways to help find renters snake ends meet. Hall, who was addressing a question first posed by Coun. Ben Van 1)lepeiitwek (Ashfield Colborne Wawanosh), says the county is looking at ways to access more upper -tier funding designed to help low - The New Office Hour's for The Lakeshore Advance will be as fi)lltlws... Mondays - 8am - 4pm Tuesdays - CLOSED Wednesdays - 9am - 4pm Thursdays - 9 am - 4pm Fridays - 8am - 4pm 58 Ontario St. N., Grand Bend PH: 519-238-5383 FAX: 238-5131 EMAIL: ladvance(Nbowesnet.com income people with things like rent supplements. !hill notes while there are programs already in place in the county, they are all cit capacity. Giving Back County CAU Larry Adams reports that while the 'town of Goderich has paid out $29,000 to the county for services ren- dered in the days following the Aug. 21 tornado, the wish is to forward that money onto the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP) so that it can benefit those in need. County councillors approved that plan. Giving Thanks In giving thanks to one county coun- cillor who recently lost his seat at the county table, Art Versteeg (Howick) notes Central Huron's Brian Harman, who acted as the library board chairman until a recent court ruling put county council composition *016, (ltd a com- mendable Job and proved to have "pas- sion" about library -related issues. Forget Google... Search Travel Safely! www.ettravel.com Ellison Travel & Tours Ltd. Our. Lire to 100 s o� tAC gee rtdapd 4414r4e/ riNr. Is Proud to Announce... Jamie Sandwith has passed his course of Level I Sommelier. He has acquired this through the prestigious International Sommelier Guild. 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