HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2012-10-24, Page 210 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Trailers a temporary solution, says Mayor
Cheryl Heath
Clinton News Record
They might not look the best but they get the job done.
That message was delivered to Huron County Council Nov.
9, care of Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt after Bluewater
Mayor BIll Dowson reported the "coffee shop talk" is some
county residents are less than impressed by the vision of the
county courthouse grounds littered with trailers where trees
once stood.
While County CAO Larry Adams notes the issue is not a
county one given the Town of Goderich leased the land to the
Ministry of the Attorney General, Godcrich's Mayor reports
the move was a necessary one given the backlog of court
cases and hearings.
"There is pushback from other courts," says Shewfelt,
noting at least one murder trial has been moved to London
because of the Aug. 21 tornado that resulted in the closure of
the courthouse after asbestos was detected at the site, requir-
ing a large-scale provincial government -ordered cleanup.
"I believe that justice served is part of the system," says
Shewfelt, noting county residents who must attend court
expect to do so on their home turf.
In noting Goderich town hall and even the mayor's office
have been used for court sessions in the past weeks, Shewfelt
says the court system is a busy one.
"It's imperative to have justice offered to Iluron County,"
says Shewfelt, who adds trial dates are set six months in
advance so a temporary remedy was urgently required.
The courthouse grounds were leased to the ministry for $1,
and the trailers could he on site through till April, says
Shewfelt.
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Almost Done
County CAO Larry Adams reports the goal is to ensure
Huron County Council's traditional inaugural session is held
in Goderich on Dec. 7.
At present, reports Adams, reconstruction work is ongoing
at the courthouse where broken windows, furniture and
equipment are being replaced, as are ruined carpets.
Adams notes he has met with the Attorney General's Office
and insurers with regard to ongoing concerns related to the
costly provincial government -mandated asbestos cleanup at
the site, though further talk on those discussions will he held
in closed session at council's next committee -of -the -whole
session.
Rare Talk
Coun. James Ginn (Central Huron) is
encouraging fellow councillors to keep
the heat on the Fire Marshall's Office
when it comes to a 30 -year-old regula-
tion that requires fire chiefs to shut down
parties and events that are held in barns
and buildings that are not up to building
occupancy standards and the fire code,
'the issue, which first came to light this
summer when Central Huron Fire Chief
Steve Cooke learned the office was
renewing a push to shut down barn par-
ties, is an important one, argues Ginn,
because such events are an integral part
of the rural culture.
"We have to keep the heat on them to
get the regulation changed" says (jinn.
Coun. Ben Van Diepenbeek (Ashfield Colborne Wawanosh)
notes that he recently attended a session in Meaford, where
participants learned the Fire Marshall's Office plans to
require the same set of standards and training for volunteer
firefighters as that seen in places where fire departments
work full-time, Among those expectations, says Van
Diepenbeek, is those rural departments employ full-time fire
chiefs.
Further, says Van Diepenbeek, the Fire Marshall's Office
acknowledges there has yet to he an issue related to barn -held
events.
"Be ready for a lot more rules and regulations," adds Van
Diepenbeek.
Upon questioning from Coun. Bernie MacLellan (Huron
East), councillors learned the Fire Marshall's Office did
ii
receive county council's October letter of concern with regard
to barn events, but has yet to reply to it.
Eye the ARC
Councillor Brian Barnim (Central Huron) is encouraging
his county counterparts to take an active role in the Avon
Maitland District School Board's ongoing Accommodation
Review of two county schools, Holmesville Public and
Colborne Central.
Barnim says the key issue to be driven home to the board is
that i luron County does not want to see another rural school
closure.
"It's the rural option we don't want to lose," says Barnim.
1 Ie adds that while board superintendent Mike Ash is argu-
ing the schools' closures will result in a
$470,000 savings for the board, Barnim
argues that in the end only $50,000 is
saved because about $4(X),IXX) of the first
figure represents salaries and those
positions will he accommodated
elsewhere.
"1 got Mike Ash to admit that," says
Barnim. "'There really isn't a huge
savings on this."
We have to keep the
heat on them to get the
regulation changed."
— Conn. /antes (:inti
(Central Iluron)
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On the List
Coun, hill Siennon (1luron East) is
encouraging the county to take a look at
its present day business registry as there
have been complaints lodged about it
being out of date.
Voting l)rged
Huron County Warden Neil Vincent (North Huron) took
time out at November's session to urge county residents to
cast their votes for Seaforth native Rood Devereaux and his
partner, Tanith Belbin, in the ongoing Battle of the Blades
program on (:B(: TV. Devereaux, a retired N111. player, is
taking part in the reality show that pairs hockey and figure
skating stars with partners in an on ice dancing competition.
Vincent notes Devereaux's charity of choice is the Epilepsy
f luron Perth Bruce Association.
Unwelcome Sighting
Coun. Dave Frayne (South Huron) reports spotting an
unwelcome sight last week.
"1 saw the first snow plough."
ge4
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