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The Times Advocate, 2004-12-22, Page 2N 2 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, December 22, 2004 Regional wrap up Ethanol plant CLINTON — Huron County was recently invited by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) to be consid- ered as a potential site for one of Ontario's five pro- posed ethanol plants. The Clinton News - Record reported Huron County planner Carol Leeming said the Ontario govern- ment recently man- dated that by 2007 five per cent of all gasoline in the province be produced by ethanol followed by 10 per cent in 2010. Leeming the CRFA is looking for sites that have access to to the railway, natural gas, water and electricity. New warden BLYTH — North Huron reeve Doug Layton was acclaimed Huron County warden at the inaugural meet- ing of county council in Goderich Dec. 7. The Citizen reported Layton was nominated by Coun. Ben Van Diepenbeek of Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh. Layton said he made the decision to put his name forward for the position after he had been approached by some people a couple of years ago about the possibility. Auctions a hot topic at SH coundil By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — It's fair to say those large fur- niture auctions that have occurred at the South Huron Rec Centre won't win any popularity con- tests among Exeter busi- nessmen. Council held a public meeting Monday night to discuss its proposed busi- ness licensing bylaw, which applies to transient traders, hawkers, peddlers and refreshment vehicles. First and second reading of the bylaw eventually passed after more than an hour's discussion, but the large furniture auctions (one of which took place a few weeks ago) dominated the conversation. Jon Dinney of Dinney Fine Furniture said the large furniture auctions that have been held at the Rec Centre are deceiving the public by overvaluing no -name furniture. "A real injustice is being done to the taxpayers of the municipality," he said, explaining customers often pay up to three times the value of products sold at such auctions. Dinney said auctioneers have staffers who sit in the audience, driving up the prices of items. Dinney Fine Furniture has been in business since 1887. Dinney told council he's not afraid of competi- tion, but the auctions that have recently occurred in Exeter offer unfair compe- tition. He said it hurts his store, his employees who work on commission and local customers. "I've never seen anything like this in my life," he said. Dinney said the large- scale auctioneers can make up to $40,000 to $50,000 in one afternoon of work. "This guy is making a killing," Dinney said, not- ing three such auctions have been held at the Rec Centre. "There's an injustice happening in this commu- nity ... you guys need to help," he said to council. Dinney noted auctions have caused "an uproar" in the furniture business across Ontario and respectable furniture com- panies won't allow their products to be sold at them. He said other businesses in town will also be hurt when auctions selling dif- ferent items are held. "Eventually, the results will be devastating" if the municipality does nothing, noted Dinney. "These guys are without a doubt shysters," he said. "They're here to rip peo- ple off." Gary MacLean of MacLean's Home Hardware said he has also been hurt by the auctions and tool sales held in the past. He wondered if the municipality could set higher rental fees at the Rec Centre for out-of-town retailers. MacLean added that he, like Dinney, isn't afraid of competition on a level playing field. He also said 41* Grand Bend students enjoy a turkey dinner Grand Bend School students Public enjoyed a turkey dinner Dec. 16.On the left, Ryan Brown gets ready to take the last bite. Above, Kristopher Brown, Josh Rouse and Jake Bewsky hang out after finishing their meal. (photos/Mary Simmons) the auctioneers in question "don't leave a dime in this community." MacLean spoke of the importance of the local business community. "If you keep chipping away at the business com- munity, you're going to see more empty stores." Mayor Rob Morley said he sympathizes with local businesses and added the community needs to be educated about what goes on at the auctions. He said education is something the South Huron Chamber of Commerce can take part in. Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin said there is no legis- lation in Ontario to deal with auctions. Chairperson of the local police services board, Urlin brought up the issue at a recent meet- ing in Orangeville and said many other municipalities are also dealing with the issue. From a policing standpoint, he said right now there's nothing that can be done. Coun. Ken Oke echoed Morley's remarks about educating the public, but said, "It's almost like peo- ple don't mind being ripped off at an auction. It's like a game." He com- pared auctions to casinos, where people know when they walk in that they're going to lose money. Council will consider third and final reading of the business licensing bylaw at a future meeting. The bylaw, which sets out fees to be paid by hawk- ers, peddlers, transient traders and refreshment vehicles, does not apply to South Huron taxpayers or residents, non-profit chari- table organizations or a consumer or trade show, such as the annual seniors' trade show held at the Rec Centre. Other details of the bylaw: • fees are $344 per day of a licensed event of no more than seven days for hawkers, peddlers and transient traders; • refreshment vehicles will pay $344 per refresh- ment vehicle season (there are two in a year); • there is a $2,000 deposit to cover costs such as policing, security, dam- ages and any municipal costs such as prosecution and court proceedings. If there are no problems, the businesses get their deposit back; • refreshment vehicles on municipal sidewalks are required to have $2 million in public liability insurance. Such vehicles must also show proof that the Huron County Health Unit is aware of its activi- ties; • South Huron residents operating refreshment vehicles will need a license, but won't have to pay the license fee. Added into the bylaw will be a statement that non-compliance will result in the business not being granted future business licenses. As clerk Sandi Strang explained, the municipali- ty can only charge fees which cover charges to the municipality — in other words, South Huron can't charge exorbitant fees simply to keep some busi- nesses out of the munici- pality Also, Morley said the municipality isn't allowed to simply say "no" to auc- tioneers who want to hold auctions here. Ron Bogart of RSD Authentics, who previously spoke to council about his concern for outside busi- nesses selling products in Exeter, said he noticed someone at Exeter's Santa Claus parade selling candy floss out of a buggy. Would such a person require a business license? Strang replied if the man was from out of town he would. She asked the pub- lic to give the municipality a heads -up on any such activity happening in South Huron. 21DAYS HUNDREDS OF CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS & TOYS :o50%SAVI GS & Other In-store Super Specials WED. & THURS. 8:30 A.M. -11 RM. • FRI. 8:30 A.M. - 5 P.M. OPEN BOXING DAY 8:30 A.M. TO 5 P.M. 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