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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1996-07-17, Page 2Letters totttor A quiet patriotism "Hoisting flags and bursting into song every time the strains of '0 Canada' are heard won't alter the quality of Canada dr Canadians..." Dear Editor: A letter decrying the lack of Canadian patriotism appeared in The Times Advocate July 10. Allow me a few comments. Canada Day does not celebrate independence. July 1, 1867 marked the implementation of the Brit- ish North America Act, and the confederation of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec into a new land, the Dominion of Canada. In the 129 years since there have been many changes - Canada has grown in size and reputation; the BNA act was replaced by a new Canadian Con- stitution in 1982; and July 1, old Dominion Day, is now Canada Day. Nevertheless, Canada is still a Dominion maintaining close ties with Britain, and is a nation forged by negotiation and discussion, not by bloody revolution. Canadians tend to be low key - we admire people like Karen Kain, Dr. Roberta Bonder and Kurt Browning, rather than the super rich. Canadians know about Juno Beach, peacel:e aping, Dr. Banting, the Canadarm, residential schools, the Grcup of Seven, Lewis MacKenzie, Dieppe, Terry Fox, the Somalia Inquiry and two Referenda. We understand our history, and acknowledge the achievements of our count!) aid fellow citizens. usually with pride, sometimes with regret - this is more emblematic than any flag or anthem. During celebrations commemorating the 50th an- niversary of VE Day, Queen Elizabeth's words, apropos Canada's role in the defense of Britain, and Europe - liberally paraphrased here - bespoke this nation's character and identity: "When we needed you, you were there, we did not have to ask for your help, you gave it willingly." This is a proud and patriotic country, and we man- age this without periodic displays of jingoistic fer- vor. Hoisting flags and bursting into song every time the strains of '0 Canada' are heard won't alter the quality or Canada or Canadians - it will simply mean we are celebrating Canada ..American style. Respectfully, Barbara van Haarlem, Exeter Council accepts Hodgert petition USBORNE TOWNSHIP - Coun- cil passed a motion at its July 2 meeting to accept the Hodgert peti- tion subject to the approval of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority and appoint Bill Deitrich, P. Eng., from W.E. Kelley & As- sociates to prepare a preliminary re- port. Jack Hodgert and John Norris at- tended the meeting to present the petition for improvements to Branch #2 of the Passmore drain as it affects Lots 15 and 16, North Thames. Road Concession. In other business council carried a motion to accept the mutual agreement between Norman Earl Thomson and Huron Motor prod- ucts for sharing drainage assess- ments as per the Drainage Act, Sec- tion 65. The mutual agreement will share municipal drain allocations on recently severed land. Usborne Township passed a mo- tion supporting resolutions from the Township of Hullett and the Town- ship of Edwardsburgh and will ad- vise the Minister of Municipal Af- fairs and Housing of this motion. Hullett's resolution points out to the minister the provincially ap- pointed 'Who Does What" pate* does not fairly represent rural and small town Ontario. Hullett coun- cil asks the minister to review the appointments to ensure the con- cerns of rural Ontario are ad- equately represented and addressed. The Township of Edwardsburgh also forwarded a resolution to the minister in which it expressed dis- satisfaction with the lack of rural representation on the panel to re- view the roles and responsibilities of provincial and municipal govern- Ilderton Heritage Show mints. Council was advised by the Road Superintendent a stop sign will be required to replace the yield sign at the Usborne-Biddulph boundary road curve. This is to by done the;; lgt• a new byl,:w. Maitland Valley not willing to discus amalgamation EXETER - According to the minutes of the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority Board of Directors June 20 meeting, Mait- land Valle) Conservation Authority has indicated it is not willing to discuss amalgamation or attend a meeting of both authorities' mu- nicipalities. MVCA has offered to host a meeting to discuss sharing services with ABCA, however the board unanimously indicated the author- ity will decline this invitation. The board felt discussion has al- ready taken place regarding areas where services could be shared. ABCA staff have been directed to prepare a report for the August 15 hoard meeting comparing maintaining the status quo with amal- gamation or service sharing with a neighboring conservation author- ity. A meeting of area conservation authorities will be hosted by the Upper Thames River C.A. at the end of July to discuss consolidated services foi program delivery. In other board business a study has been undertaken to pursue the feasibility of establishing a sawmill in the Huron Tract area. The Huron Tract Conifer Study indicated there would be ample lumber in the area to support a sawmill. The board received correspondence from Clare Regier objecting to Hay Township's approval of a minor variance. Regier is concerned the variance allows the construction of a hog barn and manure tank on a 25 -acre parcel of land which will affect water quality due to an insufficient land base for spreading manure. The board received a resolution from the Township of West Wil- liams requesting the authority reconsider its decision to allow scheduled group activities on the Sadler Tract property. Director ban Brebner requested that motion #BD65/96 include in- put from local landowners regarding formalizing agreements with organized groups. Director Bill Waters suggested the Sadler Tract Committee have one representative of local landowners attend all committee meetings. A motion from Brebner "that a representative of adjacent landowners have the opportunity to provide input into the agreements" was withdrawn. A subsequent motion to table fur- ther discussion in order to better define "representative of the ad- jacent property owners" was voted on and carried. Community centre's future topic at upcoming meeting ZURICH - At its July 11 meeting Zurich Council set the date for a public meeting on recreation. On Sep- tember 24, the public is invited to attend the 7:30 p.m. meeting at Zurich Arena to discuss the future of the community centre. Although Hay Township recently approved, a 1996 operating grant of $10,000 and $5,000 in capital funding for recreation, the grant amount for next year may be reduced. As u result, council is seeking additional recreation funds through fundraising or increased user rates. North /West Drainage Works In other business, council received a notice from Hay Township asking Zurich to notify them about any objections regarding the North /West Drainage Works. Hay passed a bylaw recently authorizing drainage work near the village but before they proceed Zurich councillors want to evaluate any work on the three branches of the village's municipal drain that may be required. Council will be sending out letters asking hopte owners if they have problems with the mu- nicipal drain system. Bill 26 regulations Among the corresponden.,e received by council was a 30 page report from the province on Bill 26 regu- lations. The much -anticipated document explains in detail the terms and regulations pertaining to the new law which allows Zurich to pursue amalgamation with Stanley Township, Bayfield, Hensall and Hay Town- ship. Councillors are currently reviewing the regu- lations, but have not yet set a date for further talks. Zurich stipports Hullet Council passed a motion to support the Township of Hullet's resolution on adequate representation of rural area on the "Who Does What" panel. Hullet is con- cerned smaller rural areas do not have a strong voice on the panel. A letter from OPSEU (Ontario Public Service Employee Union) asking council not to pri- vatize information on Property Tax Assessment in On- tario was tabled after a failed motion to support it was defeated. Cobble Designs from Zurich is one of many area landscapers and designers that are partici- pating in the first Home Tour presented by the Huron Country Playhouse. The event will run from July 27 until August 5 at Oakwood Park In Grand Bend. The tour will be a fundraiser for the Playhouse. Although most of the interior construction work is completed, designers are still putting the finishing touches on custom window and wall treatments before setting up the furnishings. The 20th Annual !Merton Heritage and Antique Show was held July 13 and 14 at the llderton Fair Grounds. Exhibits included steam engines, tractors, gas eriglrras, cars a,,d trucks, flea market collectibles and crafts. Rick and Marion Wolfe of Alise Craig displayed a history of cycles. The couple am pictured above In period dress with a Columbia 54" 1885 Light Roadster made in Boston Mass. and an unknown tricycle likely manufactured in the late 1890's. George and Ruby Truax of Mount erydges had a Keynote two -hole com shelter working for the show. The machine was manufactured In Sterling, Illinois by Wisconsin Motors in 1897. Page 2 Times -Advocate, Jul 17, 1996 T L' NTF TAT C Regional wrap up Goderich Council reduced by two GODERICH - There will be fewer chairs to fill by the next Goderich municipal election, re- ported the Goderich Signal -Star. Council voted recently to re- duce the size of council two members and town employees have be reduced by 22. The savings from the reduc- tion in the number of councillors is expected to be approximately S20,000 annually. This includes a yearly remuneration of $6,000 per councillor in addition to ad- vertising, conference fees and remuneration for extra meetings. Fire coordinator position vacant HURON COUNTY - It ap- pears there is no one to fill the position of Mutual Aid Fire Co- ordinator, a county position that has been vacant since Clinton firefighter Dean Reid resigned at the end of May. According to the Huron Ex- positor, without a coordinator, the county does not have an of- ficial mutual aid system or per- son who could coordinate de- partments in an emergency. A poll of the county's fire chiefs recently taken shows that no chief would be willing to take on the role under the present conditions. There is also a concern that municipali- ties that have passed mutual aid bylaws, enabling their fire de- partments to leave the limits of their fire areas, require the fire- fighters work under the direc- tion of a coordinator. Brussels seeks follow-up meeting BRUSSELS - After a disap- pointing county strategic plan- ning meeting held in Clinton on June 20, the Village of Brussels will seeks a meeting with five north Huron municipalities. According to the North Huron Citizen, the village hopes a meeting with Blyth, East Waw- anosh, Hullett and Morris will encourage discussion of where to go next in looking at munici- pal restructuring. Brussels Council would also like to see Grey Township in- cluded in the next meeting. The county meeting lacked in- formation about what is going on with restructuring under Bill 26 which gives the province the power to dissolve boundaries and create larger municipal units. To date no guidelines on how large the municipalities must be have been released. Mitchell councillors not - working together MITCHELL - According to the Mitchell Advocate, a town councillor feels the working re- lationship between councillors is breaking down. At the July 2 council meeting, Councillor Dorothy Beuerntann said there is "definately" a breakdown. She denied howev- er that the cause of the break- down is a result of a dispute be- tween her husband Roger and the town. 41, 1