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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-04-12, Page 90 GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1979—PAGE 9 Two meetings a month not enough for town council r• BY JEFF SEDDON Goderich town council decided • Monday night that two council meetings a month just weren't enough. At its next meeting, Monday night, council will look at a recom- mendation to do away with its present system of two council meetings and one committee meeting and replace it with three council sessions. The move reverses a decision council made in the fall of 1978 after a 're- structuring study suggested that the monthly committee meeting be initiated. At that time council felt it could benefit from one session a month used to discuss issues with no pressure to make decisions. Most councillors still feel that the monthly committee meeting is beneficial but are con- cerned that too much time expires between council sessions. They felt that issues are either rushed o -r delayed because of the committee meeting thus undoing any benefits that committee session has. Deputy -reeve Bob Allen told council he felt -the committee system was placing pressure on council. He said he sometimes feels rushed at council's first meeting of the month. He said people are waiting for reactions or replies from. council knowing that if council does not deal with the matter at that first session it will not get handled for another two weeks. The committee system in operation for the past months• puts council in full session on the first Monday of every month. The second Monday of the month is a committee of council. At the committee meetings council discusses issues but does not make decisions. All that comes out of the committee meeting are recommendations for the regular council session on the third Monday of the month. Reeve Eileen Palmer told council.. the com- mittee session promotes procrastination. She said matters are referred to committee of council and in some cases weeks are lost. She pointed out that the month of April has five Mondays in it. She said there may have been a number of things council could have dealt with Monday night if that meeting had been a council meeting instead of a committee session. She said those items will be put over to the regular council meeting next Monday and if council has to table them for any reason a final decision will be delayed weeks. "Council would take five weeks to resolve one issue which is absolutely ridiculous," said the F of A supports drainage, erosion resolutions BY RHEA HAMILTON Several important resolutions concerning drainage and soil erosion were supported at the monthly meeting of the Huron Federation of Agriculture Thursday night. Three resolutions were presented to the mem- bers of Grey Central school by the F of A Drainage and Soil Erosion Committee. The first one concerned "over engineered" or inadequately designed municipal drains which showed no concern for erosion control. Members agreed engineers' qualifications should include soil conservation and erosion control. The provincial•government is to be pressured to ensure the courses be available. The second resolution passed called for co - ..ordination of government departments in the responsi.hi1i-ty---of- mains and soil conservation. The committee was concerned about the failure of the various department to "act in a co-ordinated progressive manner." The third resolution called for the ap- pointment of a drainage — Berri-mi•ssione> byh different-townshilps to be responsible for the• in- spection of ditches. The committee went further to have the commissioner take a training course in drainage and soil erosion to include more •in- struction on soil con- servation practises. All three resolutions were sent into the Ontario Federation of Agriculture with copies sent to local municipal councils for their information. Don Pullen from the Farm Safety Committee presented a resolution calling for the OFA to work with the Farm Safety Association to pressure the provincial and federal government to set up a research rogram....,to, ..deyelo.p._ a., suitable detector for poisonous gases. ine committee noted in their resolution that the number of fatalities from Contact with poisonous gases in silos and liquid manure tanks was on the increase. The resolution passed. SMOKE DETECTORS, In an attempt to keep Huron areas aware of what each other is doing, area directors reported on activities in their areas. John Van Beers, Huron east central, Gerry Fortune, north east, Brenda McIntosh west central, and new director Al Turnbull, Huron south all took part in successful membership drives. Mr. Turnbull, with the aid of other members, spent three days with fieldman Bill Crawford in Hay, Stephen and Usborne townships and 12 new members were signed. It was discovered that there are 100 eligible members in Hay town- ship. Already 12 have been signed up. Merle Gunby, Huron Northwest reported Rick Rathburn of CKNX TV had interviewed him fora ii `�+.'¢Y special feature on foreign ownership in Ashfield township. Tony McQuail invited members to a farm safety meeting. Both parents ' and children are encouraged to attend the two part meeting Thursday evening, April 21 at Brookside Public School. reeve. Councillor Elsa Haydon told council she liked the concept of the committee session but pointed out she was not adamant about the informal meeting and would abide by a majority vote. She said the committee session was different from ordinary council meetings because councillors come prepared to consult on issues with no demands placed on them to make final commitments. Haydon said if council did decide to abandon the committee session it may want to take a look at holding special sessions just for consultation. She said the informal com- mittee session could be a "give and take" situation where council can "review" matters before it. Clerk Larry McCabe told council the com- mittee session does have - an impact on council business. He said some issues never get to the council table because they require action quickly and council does not •have a meeting in time to' give that action. He added. that there may be eight or nine pieces of correspondence that could be ready for council's perusal at the committee session but those are held over a week. By the time council meets the amount of correspondence to be handled may have swelled to 30 or 40 pieces. Council will make a final decision on the meeting procedure at its final session in 'April. If the three council meetings are approved it would take affect in May. For all your building needs contact: Bere Bros. Construction CUSTOM BUILDERS Homes - Cottages - Additions Renovations - Farm Buildings 524-4217. or 529-7894 *Rolling •Fertilizing •Aerifying •Verticutting •Seeding & Sodding Mothers Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance 524-2401 The clothing stores in the Suncoast Mail .held a t e fashion show on 'Tuesday evening to promote eir del- s -how -s --off- a- jagging suit. Many- of 4 -hose spring and summer lines of fashion. The show was modelling in the show were employed at stores in well attended and here the audience looks on as a the mall. (Photo by Joanne Buchanan) A second resolution requesting the govern- ment to legislate the manditory government approved installation of smoke detectors in -Varies. _ homes.__ Some members were- concerned ereconcerned about the cost differences between different models. John Van Beers expressed concern for families. "This is the year of the child and mandatory smoke detectors- would protect• children while parentsare out" Mr. Van Beers said. The growing debate over dredging of Goderich harbour was brought up `at the meeting. Carl Hemingway, Brussels, had been asked if some support for the project could come from far- mers. Mr. Hemingway referred it to the meeting. At the urging of Gordon Hill that the members not slough it off, the matter was referred- to • the property committee for further study. Mr. Hill is chairman of the property -committee. • ��"n{fJ:Ah:4":>'GF.i:?�Aj::F:::}K:::}::::,':j:•�:i�:i:'L}'tivn':��'• ':i\i�:u;4•.� .�'1. \.}:\>Y�>ith.::•: :: M, • minor • Colour Television Choose from such makes as RCA-SANYO-ADMIRAL SAVE -SAVE -SAVE MAYTAG KELVINATOR ADMIRAL WOODS MOFFAT MUFFITT appliances &television 308 HURON ROAD GODFRICH 524-4391 SANYO RCA HOOVER WHITE- WESTINGHOUSE EUREKA •vy«f ;.. 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