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Times -Advocate, April 30, 1997
COMA/1111\111T
our Views
Letters to the editor
Committee of the Whole
"The Committee's discussions
and the development of
recommendations take place
in a public forum.
Dear Editor:
Recent T.A. articles state that Exeter Council is
holding too many in -camera meetings, That conclu-
sion is based on incorrect information.
To begin with, let's be clear about what Council
has done:
• 1. Exeter Council has made changes deliberately -
designed to make local government more effective
and more accessible.
2. One move was to streamline the work of six •
Committees into one called the Committee of the
Whole. Result: Discussion on issues involves all of
the Council and the decision-making process is now
much more efficient.
3. Before the Committee of the Whole system was
adopted, all regular Committee meetings were open
to the public. Now, the same amount of business is
conducted in public at fewer meetings.
4. Exeter Council has been very clear, in its writ-
ten reports, that the Committee of the Whole meet-
ings are open to the public. When the new system
was being presented for adoption, Councillor Rider
emphasized the open nature of the system. At a sub-
sequent meeting, Reeve Mickle presented the first
Committee report under the new system to -the
Council and he re-emphasized the open nature of
the meetings.
5. The Council agenda includes a schedule of all
Committee meetings. •
-. 6. Council has concluded it would be beneficial to
deal with some "under reported" issues in a column
called "Civic Corner." We hope to use this column
as another means to reach the public.
To summarize, we have greater Council involve-
ment, more effective decision-making and better .
public access to meetings and information: .
The issues identified in the newspaper as being
handled "in camera" were actually dealt with' et
public Committee and Council meetings.
So what went wrong in these reports. There may
be four explanations.
I. Although it was explained in writing and in a
verbal presentation, it appears the T.A. and others,
mistakenly believe that a Committee of the Whole
meeting is, by definition, "in camera" or "in pri-
vate." The term is sometimes used that way. How-
ever, that is not the meaning in this case. Council
has decided to meet two times a month as a Com-
mittee (of the Whole Council) so it may thoroughly
examine issues, without the time constraints of a
Council meeting, and cosine to a recommendation.
The Committee's discussions and the development
of recommendations take place in a public forum.
2. Over the past term, Exeter Council (and other
Municipal Councils) have had to deal with real and
anticipated financial problems from Provincial
downloading and other changes to an extent never
seen before. Council and staff have had to attend
more meetings than at any other time. The work is
long and tedious. (And, I might add that the taxpay-
er is not billed for these extra meetings.) The press
cannot hope to attend all meetings and we cannot
possibly do all of the work at Council meetings
alone. As a result, some issues are not well under-
stood by the press and public.
3. Press coverage is generally good. But, the same
reporter does not always cover all of Council's busi-
ness. Some important facts seem to be falling
through the cracks.
4. Finally, the fact that the reality and the p. op-
tion are in conflict regarding the openness of Coun-
cil meetings tells me that we, on Council,' need to
find ways to be more effective in getting our meet-
ing timetable and our open government policy it
front of the public.
iTo conclude, ['know I share with the Town Coun-
cillors a feeling of disappointment. We have worked
Lard to come up with a more effective and more ac-
cessible local government system. It is very difficult
to watch our plan described in a way that is quite
opposite to its purpose.
Yours very truly,
Ben Hoogenboom, Mayor on behalf
of the Corporation of th'e Town of Exeter
Aga OnOnib `)ODOn 6RnA)OnOnOnOD itaODA) +a4JAAiita `non zAtn
Official Plan
meeting to be
held
These meetings are your
opportunity to comment on
the proposed direcitons
which have been estab-
lished by your fellow resi-
dents....
Dear Editor:
Within this newspaper you will
find a schedule of meetings to con-
sider the proposed new County of
Huron Official Plan. These meet-
ings have been scheduled to en-
courage you and your neighbors to
discuss a variety of topics. This
plan will affect many aspects of our
every day lives, such as the loca-
tion of businesses, environmental
protection, economic development
strategies, and agriculture, just to
name a few.
The County Official Plan repre-
sents a concerted effort by the resi-
dents of Huron County to chart
their future. Huron County resi-
dents have been involved in a num-
ber of ways throughout the devel-
opment of the draft plan -
completing Community Action
Kits and participating in a number
of focus groups, workshops, public
meetings, and discussions within
their interest groups. Huron County
residents have said what they like
and dislike about the community,
what they see for the future of their
community, and have indicated ap-
propriate actions to achieve their
visions for the community.
These meetings are your opportu-
nity to comment on the proposed
directions which have been estab-
lished by your fellow residents.
This Official Plan is important to
your future and the future of your
community.
Please come out and participate
in any one of the meetings which
are scheduled throughout May and
.lune.
If you have any questions, or
would like a copy of the plan
please contact the Huron County
Department of Planning and Devel-
opment (519-524-2188) Court
House Square, Goderich, Ontario
N7A 1M2.
Sincerely,
Laurie Cox, Chair
Huron County Planning and
Development Committee
McGillivray Fun Fair very successful
Dear Editor:
On Friday, April 11, McGillivray
Central Public School held it's first
Fun Fair in a number of years as a
fundraiser for playground equip-
ment. Besides enough activities to
keep all of the children busy,
McGillivray's Fun Fair boasted a
huge Penny Sale where 46 items
were up for sale. As well, over 75
items were up for bids in a Silent
Auction which received close scru-
tiny and ever changing bids. Items
ranged from autographed Grant
Fuhr jersey, a plane ride over
McGillivray Township, to a jet ski
rental. McGillivray Central's Home
and School Association would like
to thank the many businesses from
McGillivray Township, Exeter, Ail-
sa Craig, Parkhill, Arkona, London,
Lucan, Strathroy, Grand Bend, Zu-
-rich and Forest for their generous
contributions to this well attended
event.
The Home and School also wish-
es to thank the school's teachers,
support staff and parents for all
their efforts before and during this
evening. A lot of time went into the
organization of this Fun Fair and
McGillivray principal Mary Anne
Brown was once again most help-
ful. The end result was a spectacu-
larly successful event, raising
$5,000 for playground equipment.
This has made it possible for the in-
stallation of.Phase One and Two of
the Playground Committee's Four
Phase plan beginning before Sep-
tember 1997.
At a time when schools must
[RnPOIR11
TIRE
CORRECTION
NOTICE
C1
We wish to draw your attention to the
following in our '75 Year Giant Savings
Spring Sale - Final Week' Flyer
Page 4, Item Il. Mono Line• 78-
3765X . Copy reads 6 to 40 lb. test,
should read: 6 to 12 Ib. test. Page 14:
Garnet' Sandpaper. 54-2114X. Copy
reads: pkg. of 4 or 5, should read:
pkg. of 3,4 & 5. Page 23: Cellular
Phone Accessories. Copy reads: save
25 to 40%, should read: save 24-40%.
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A Staost et ISMILL1+aca•
reach out to the surrounding com-
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ticket items such as these, McGil-
livray Central's Home and School
(and the staff) were gratified to
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Sincerely,
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Playground Committee Member
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
for the citizens of
Bayfield, Hay, Hensall, Stanley,
Tuckersmith, and Zurich
Public meetings will be held on the following dates for
presentation of the restructuring report:
Wednesday, April 23
Wednesday, April 30
Saturday, May 10
Saturday, May 24
7-9 p.m.
7-9 p.m.
1.3 p.m.
1-3 p.m.
Stanley Complex, Varna
Brucefield United Church
Bayfield Arena
Zurich Arena
Please attend. Your input is important.
Copies of the restructuring report are available at the
municipal offices after Thursday, April 17th.
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