HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-04-05, Page 88
Exeter Times—Advocate
Wednesday, April 5, 2006
Readers unhappy with councils' decisions and comments
We have been asked repeatedly by the Bluewater
Council, over a variety of subjects, to give them a chance
to work through our concerns of the Bayfield area, and
for us to use due process to achieve our goals. In accor-
dance with their wishes, and a true democratic course
of action, we watched and participated with the
Municipality of Bluewater Official Plan development,
then followed its progress and subsequent passing into
law.
Now, only months after the Official Plan came into
being, and the first time a significant project developer
wants to contravene it, a number of councillors appear
to be buckling under the pressure.
I, along with many others within Bayfield, am simply
asking that the Official Plan be respected, and that dol-
lars are not seen as progress, and the life balance within
Bayfield is adhered to and protected. That's why we
have a Bluewater Official Plan, so that every single time
a building variance is presented, there is a yardstick
against which it can be gauged.
Homecraft President pin
At the 160th O.A.A.S. Convention held at the Royal
York recently, Dolores Shapton received her hon-
orary Homecraft President pin. Shapton was O.A.A.S.
Homecraft President in 1987. The theme of this
year's homecraft division was "Mini Fair and Sale."
Shapton was crowned "Homecraft Embassador
Honorary President". Her two daughters, Sandra and
Janet along with Betty Lester opened the fair.
Rumour has it she wore her crown to bed.
Congratulations Dolores! (photo/submitted)
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Is it possible that the current council is simply bowing his `true' beliefs or resign.
to pressure to ignore the Official Plan, and rushing this And if the mayor refuses to justify his comments, he
to a vote in order to get this process advanced far should resign immediately for a number of reasons.
enough, so that it is in place before the next election? Firstly, if the mayor truly believes the "economy is in
Do they somehow sense that they may be facing an elec- the toilet," then he counters all the hard and selfless
tion issue they cannot win? work that members of the Chamber of Commerce and
If this issue is rushed to a resolution in other civic groups have performed over the years.
favour of the developer, and leaves the Lett Their tireless efforts have been to promote the
residents of Bayfield and other areas of t ers economic and social welfare of Exeter and region
Bluewater powerless as to what hap- o the and if the mayor stands by his argument then he
pens in their communities, who and Editor insults all the dedicated business people labour -
what other neighbourhoods will be ing to enhance the economy of South Huron.
next? ® Furthermore, if the mayor refuses to add context
The initial deferment, instead of a rejection, to his judgement he is unwittingly admitting failure on
and the immediate re -submission of the project propos- behalf of council and the mayor's office to encourage
al, seems to cast a considerable shadow over the council businesses to relocate to this community. Elected repre-
and its ability to see past the dollar signs, to the legiti- sentatives have a more important job than to just raise
mate and lawful wishes of their constituents. taxes, it is to be an instrument of encouragement to new
In this case, the developer's proposal does not come businesses and those seeking new and vibrant commu-
close to measuring up to the Bluewater Official Plan. nities to relocate. The mayor's comments are an admis-
This proposal not only affects Bayfield residents, but sets sion of failure of council to do their job.
a precedent throughout Bluewater, affecting all its resi- If the previous observations do not motivate the
dents and their lifestyles. The only potential effect it has mayor to set the record straight, then he should consid-
on the Municipality of Bluewater is to increase its rev- er the number of 'out-of-towners' who picked up the
enue tax base. March 29 edition of the Times -Advocate to search the
GEORDIE & OLGA PALMER tBayfield, ON.
It was certainly disappointing to read that Mayor Rob
Morley is quoted as saying that, "the economy of this
whole community is in the toilet" (Times -Advocate,
March 29/06). His declaration was reported to have
taken place at a recent council meeting and at first
glance his remark would be considered irresponsible
and just a destructively foolish thing for a political leader
to say in public.
However, upon reconsidering the venue in which the
Mayor Morley's comment is quoted, we are reminded
how political adversaries often misquote and remove the
context from politicians' musings for a variety of rea-
sons. It is `context' that makes statements meaningful
and the mayor should be given the opportunity to
defend what he said in that council meeting.
The statement seems uncharacteristic of Mayor
Morley and he should be given the benefit of the doubt
to offer the context in which he made his statements; his
comments must be framed in context for the purpose of
ensuring meaning and significance to his public oratory.
Mr. Morley should set the record straight by confirming
March Exeter court
EXETER — Oliver Dub
pleaded guilty to a charge
of ability impaired March
23 in Exeter court.
Before Justice RG
Hunter, Dub was sen-
tenced to a
$750 fine
stemming from
an incident
Jan. 15.
Theft
Francis
Lansbergen of Zurich
pleaded guilty to a charge
of theft stemming from an
incident Dec. 21 with a
keychain valued at $2.99
taken from an Exeter
business.
Lansbergen was given
an absolute discharge.
Bradley M Beirling of
Parkhill pleaded guilty to
a charge of theft stem-
ming from an incident at
an Exeter business Jan. 3.
Bierling
was given
a $250
fine for
the theft
valued at
$3.
Ryan R.
Cheyne of Exeter was sen-
tenced to 90 days in jail to
be served intermittently
and two years probation
Cheyne was charged
with break, enter and
commit stemming from an
incident May 24.
EXETER COURT
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real estate pages in search for their dream home only to
read the leading public figure declaring, "the economy
of this whole community is in the toilet" and logically
dismissed Exeter as a town with a future and a place to
move. In one foolish and ill -thought episode, the mayor
may have depressed the demand for real estate in this
community.
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, Mayor
Morley was quoted as making a truly negative and
destructive comment about the state of Exeter's econo-
my. Either he 'did' make the statement or he `didn't'
say such a thing. Whether he did or didn't is secondary
to his obligation to put the quote in the proper light sim-
ply because his revelation is now part of the public
record. If Mayor Morley 'did' make this announcement
of the economy being in the toilet — he needs to be
given the benefit of the doubt and the opportunity to
defend his beliefs by adding context and meaning.
However, if Mayor Morley refuses to defend his behav-
iour — he needs to resign immediately and by way of a
byelection; make way for a leader who will promise to
promote the economic and social welfare of this historic
community.
BOB PATTISON, Exeter
fame'd Pater -prey
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