The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutClinton News Record, 2015-05-13, Page 22 News Record • Wednesday, May 13, 2015 County council mulls future in SWEA Marco Vigliotti Postmedia Network Huron County council remains divided on the future of its membership in a regional economic development organi- zation that one member slammed as a "mess" and wamed would likely "implode" in the near future. Council voted to table a vote at its May6 meeting appointing South Huron mayor Maureen Cole as the new representative to the Southwest Economic Alli- ance (SWEA), after mem- bers were unable to reach an agreement on the appointment. Council members ultimately decided to revisit the debate fol- lowing the organization's annual general meeting next month. Cole had withdrawn herself from consideration prior to the motion being tabled, requesting more time to become familiar with SWEA before potentially assuming the role. She did promise to attend the general meeting but only as a member of the public. Huron East's mayor Bernie MacLellan moved for the motion after raising concerns about the possible extension of former county council member John Grace's term as representa- tive on the SWEA board. He said the committeeweigh- ing Grace's re -appointment failed to have a substantive dis- cussion about the impact of appointing a member of the public to the board and only asked one question to Grace, which was about whether or not he would have a conflict of interest. "We pay $600 to $700 amonth for a member of the public to sit on this and they don't have to be accountable to anyone," MacLellan said of his opposition to having an unelected official serve as representative. "We don't get any informa- tion back - I don't know if any- body from this board that has heard a report from former councillor Grace about what SWEA is doing for Huron County:' If Huron County is going to send a representative to sit on the board, it should be a mem- ber of council who can "report back" and keep council "informed;" he said. MacLellan also took aim at SWEA itself, accusing the nine- year-old regional body, which counts as members 15 counties or single tier municipalities and seven separated cities, including London and the Waterloo Region, of lacking clear direction as it hurls towards yet another round of significant changes in the coming months. "Unfortunately, SWEA does not have a good track record with Huron County - this is the third time they are doing amajor shake-up," he explained. "Even John (Grace) had admitted to the economic development board that he's not sure in six months from now they'll even be a SWEA:' Grace, who was allowed to address council during the debate, said planned changes would transform SWEAs mem- bership from mainly elected officials to members of the pri- vate sector and academia. The board of SWEA would then be reduced from its current level of 21 to either seven or nine members, with perhaps only one representative being an elected official, he said. "We recognize the private sec- tor has to play a large role in THE LIONS CLUB OF CLINTON FUNDRAISING GOLF TOURNAMENT Proceeds to the CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL FOUNDATION Saturday, June 20th, 2015 WOODLANDS LINKS GOLF CLUB ***COST: $80.00 PER GOLFER- includes GOLF, DINNER and Draws, Dinner Only $20*** Register Single or Foursome by May 20t'' and get in the Early Bird Draw -Win Free Golf for the day 10:30 am Shotgun start if 120 registration reached, otherwise tee -off times will be advised starting at 10:30 Call Woodlands Links to Reserve a cart 519-482-7144 For more information please contact, Charles Bodle, at 519-482-5934 or Peter Rowat, at 519-482-8180 ',a7 i s • s ski iTii. regional economic develop- ment, so we're asking the private sector to step up and play that role;' Grace explained. SWEA, he said, would also look to become a research body for the Western Ontario Warden's Caucus. When asked by council what accomplishments SWEA has won for the region and county, Grace pointed to the southwest development fund, a sustaina- ble foods scheme and the "engagement of the intelligent region initiative," which is described on the organization's website as "bringing fast and reliable information communi- cation technology" to promote "sustainable economic development" SWEA describes itself on its website as "a forum to promote economic cooperation through- out the region and across key sectors of the economy: Its listed objectives include "promoting regional economic cooperation" and `signalling the benefits for improved coopera- tion among key sectors of the economy." Brenda Orchard, Huron County's chief administrative officer (CAO), told council that the future of SWEA would be discussed at next month's gen- eral meeting in Oxford County, saying the group has to "find what they're true calling is going to be in service to the counties: Kevin Morrison, mayor of Goderich, though, speculates that SWEA will "probably implode" in the near future and accuses its board of "drawing at straws" after repeatedly failing to plot a clear path forward. "I believe we've already pro- vided them with the extra (sup- port) of our own CAO and they still don't know where they're going," he said, commenting that the group hasn't "had their feet on the ground since the day they started." "They're a mess," Morrison added. The end of the organization could come sooner rather than later, according to Grace, who said a proposal to terminate SWEA will be floated at next week's meeting if the member- ship rejects its latest reconfigu- ration plans. The move, he explained, is necessary because SWEA "cannot exist the way we've existed the last year:' "We will put something for- ward. If the membership doesn't like it, we're more than happy to wrap it up," Grace said. St. Anne's says thank -you to co-op supervisors Laura Broadley Supervisors put in their time to Clinton News Record help develop the students' skills they need to be successful. St. Anne's held a breakfast last St. Anne's students went to Wednesday to show apprecia- placements in a wide variety of tion for the supervisors of its co- businesses, from hospitals to operative education program. auto -repair shops all over the All Ontario school boards county. offer co-operative education Some students had a chance programs as a way to give stu- to speak about the impact the dents the opportunity to expert- program had on them. Austin encehands-onleaming.Partici- Armstrong spoke about his pants in the program are able experience at Foodland in Clin- experience what working -life ton. Armstrong's supervisors would be like in a chosen career. were so impressed they offered They can develop the skills while him a job. building their resume for future Keyonia Johnston is starting employment. Students are able school in the fall to become a to apply two co-op credits to dental assistant after her place - their high school graduation ment at the Clinton Dental requirements. Clinic. The program is for students St. Anne's co-op placements headed to university, college, often return each year to take apprenticeship or the workforce. part in the program. This year 31 Co-op supervisors are placements returned tohost stu- responsible for overseeing the dents, while the program added students while on the job. 22 new placements. ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm Views Record 53 Albert St. S, Clinton PH: 519-482-3443 www.clintonnewsrecord.com OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm CLOSED TUESDAYS