HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2015-01-14, Page 13To register or volunteer with Minds in Motion contact:
The Alzheimer Society of Huron County
(519)482-1482 Toll Free: 1-800-561-5012
email: admin@alzheimerhuron.on.ca
REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR THIS SESSION IS MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015
L J
r VOLUNTEER TODAY! Minds in Motion®
The Alzheimer Society of Huron County has a variety of volunteer opportunities including
the Minds in Motion program. Minds in Motion Assistants receive free training from the Alz-
heimer Society. Volunteering with this program helps you contribute to a healthy aging
community and add vital experience for future volunteer and employment opportunities.
L
12 News Record • Wednesday, January 14, 2015
How can we make Huron County better?
CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 11
These are my suggestions for
urgent review:
1. The way we cannot seem to
work together. (Inter -municipal bick-
ering,
ickering, urban -rural, local -county, etc.
annexation issues, shared services,
joint ventures such as storm drain-
age plans and financial support for
regional facilities such as recreation
complexes and medical facilities)
2. Our unwillingness to join new
realities in a timely way. (informa-
tion age - our most profound omis-
sion - ill-founded political amalga-
mations, absence of preparation
after unpopular but inevitable sen-
ior government mandates, making
provincial "boards" into "council
committees," such as the decades -
long feuding about the independ-
ence of the County Board of
Health, or earlier challenges about
the decision-making rights of the
Huron County Library Board, etc.)
3. Too much linear thinking in a
world that demands multi -tasking.
(Administrators blocking multi -fac-
eted problem -solving, tunnel vision -
cannot see the forest for the trees.)
4. A fear to become transparent.
(Huron County long-term "close to
the vest" mentality, inappropriate
"confidentiality," misrepresentation of
spending and incomes example: How
much of the supposed large expendi-
ture on culture and heritage is actu-
ally in "rent" paid back to the County;
perceptions about back room plan-
ning and deal making, etc.)
5. Administrator dominance (a
failure to share control, an unwill-
ingness to empower others and
permit their mistakes)
6. A dastardly inability to get any-
thing done in a timely way. (Lakeshore
services, broadband access, skate
parks that take more than "3" decades,
land use conflict resolution that takes
40+ years, planning for agricultural
parks, performing arts proposals roll-
ing on forever, healthcare facility co-
ordination amongst agencies, etc.)
7. Our predilection for building
layers of bureaucracy and red tape.
(Planning and development restric-
tions that kill business efforts and
double, then re -double costs; com-
plex access to info: "permission
forms, especially at the county level;
going absolutely by the book, etc.)
It behooves us to examine how
these "seven deadly sins" might fit
current political realities at the
municipal level.
I have been active in all of my com-
munities within Huron County from
the time I was a teenager. My observa-
tions are built on 50 years of commu-
nity involvement. As noted, I have
served my time, early on, at a council
table, locally, and the county level. My
intention is not to "damn" anyone,
but rather to plead for an objective
and meaningful review of how we
conduct our municipal affairs.
For the collective benefit of the
entire Huron County community,
we need to get at it now.
Red Tape Is Becoming an
Insurmountable Barricade
In particular I believe that "red
tape" and bureaucracy issues are
becoming more and more of a barrier
to progress. Whether it is a simple
matter of seeking copyright clearance
to write a history book, or whether itis
the interminable sets of barriers that
slow down, or kill, residential devel-
opment or business expansion, there
is surely room to act
One final thought as the new
councils set up community com-
mittees and seek volunteers to sup-
port local needs. Bluewater Council
is struggling with whether to accept
requests from a couple of local sup-
port groups to be recognized as
extensions of the municipal struc-
ture as a means of being protected
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under municipal liability insurance
policies. They will likely say "no." It is
another potential mistake.
There is a gross over -concern with
liability. It has been generated in part
by litigation attitudes which are invad-
ing our country from points elsewhere,
but in reality, the over -concern is gen-
erated by insurance companies and
many municipal and school board
administrators whose unfounded fears
of liability have far surpassed the
bounds of reality. Common sense has
been forgotten. The groups seeking the
role of Bluewater Council Committee
status are like dozens of others in self-
less service of community. They
should be welcomed and taken under
wing by Mayor Hessel and Council.
They are not a major liability risk. The
same denial was given to the small and
hard-working group to which I
belonged, the Great Lakes Storm of
1913 Remembrance Committee,
whose actions generated county, pro-
vincial and federal recognition for the
Town of Goderich. The decision, by the
Town's administration, or by its legal
advisors, was shortsighted and showed
the same lack of common sense.
Never, not once, did any such denial
which had merit, occur under my own
administrative leadership with the for-
mer Huron County Board of
Education. Yes, times have changed,
but not nearly so much as the liability
fear -mongers seem to claim. Such
actions by today's councils and school
boards discourage volunteerism and
are changing the very nature of our
precious Canadian society.
In Closing
Ignoring the realities that I have
raised in my commentary will con-
tinue to stifle sustainable growth.
Inaction will continue to limit the rea-
sonable influx of newcomers. We will
keep on driving our young folks away.
The situation may not be as entirely
bleak as the 2014 Labour Market
Report suggests, but we do have a
problem. It is surely time to act.
And it is not a simple matter of
suggesting that only the business
community and agencies of gov-
ernments have a role to play. The
newly -elected councillors and their
municipal administrators have key
roles to play in addressing the chal-
lenges that our communities face.
Huron County and our collective
wellbeing will be the better for it
Paul Carroll is a retired educa-
tion administrator, author, artist,
historian, and community activist
who resides in Central Huron.
Minds in Motion'
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The Alzheimer Society of Huron County
and
One Care Community Support Services
are pleased to introduce
Minds in Motion®
for persons with early to mid -stage dementia
and their care partners
This innovative program combines
physical activity, therapeutic
recreation and an opportunity to
connect with others living with
similar experiences.
For more information about
Minds in Motion visit:
www.mindsinmotionontario.ca
Minds in Motion®
at the
Betty Cardno Memorial Centre
317 Huron Rd., Clinton
8 Weekly Sessions
Tuesdays, 1:30 - 3:00 pm
February 3 - March 24, 2015
Each Weakly Sa€slan Inclsidcs;:
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