Loading...
Clinton News Record, 2016-04-27, Page 11Wednesday, April 27, 2016 • News Record 11 County staff says tree bylaws encourage neighbourhood feuds J The Ontario Association of Responsible Tree Management asked county council to consider adopting a new tree management bylaw Laura Broadley Postmedia Network The Huron County council cham- bers' gallery was filled with a crowd at the April 20 committee meeting to hear what council had to say about tree management in the county. The Ontario Association of Respon- sible Tree Management (OARTM) formed a year ago to explore whether there were alternatives to tree cutting bylaws in Huron County. In her presentation Moyer said the current tree bylaws encourage neigh- bourhood feuds. She also said the current system promotes penalties and sanctions, whereas it should encourage rewards and benefits. People are resorting to desperate measures, which have an economic impact on the community when there are legal costs involved. The alternative is to look at trees as a crop. Working together to solve problems before they develop into legal proceedings can benefit every- one, Moyer said. OARTM produced a sample bylaw that it says will help create a system of incentives and coopera- tion among landowners, contrac- tors, consultants and the munici- pality. The bylaw includes the introduction of a new staff position whose role would be to play an advisory role for landowner -based forest management. Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn said that to replace a volunteer organization, like the woodlot asso- ciation, with a paid position was mis- guided. Instead, there are several resources already at the county level. The OARTM requested that coun- cil ask for a staff report that look at its sample bylaw and see if there it holds any merit. A review of the Huron County Forestry Services Program revealed that between 2001 and 2015, the number of property owners using professional foresters for commer- cial harvest advice had increase by 30 per cent, a press released stated. "We're continuing to see an increase in calls from woodlot owners who want to get general advice and information on forest management," forest conservation officer, Dave Pullen, said in a press release. "These numbers demon- strate the commitment of Huron County landowners to managing their woodlots in a sustainable way„ Huron County council passed the first tree bylaw in 1947. Afghanistan Community Monument gets boost from the county Laura Broadley Postmedia Network At the April 13 meeting, county treasurer, Michael Blumhagen pre- sented on the report of the Huron County Afghanistan Community Monument campaign's request for in-kind services to build the base the monument would sit on. Blumhagen said the services would have to be outsourced at a cost of $20,000. MeighanWark, director of Cultural Services, said the monument would be the responsibility of the county and that it was up to council to deter- mine what the terms of the agree- ment would be between the museum and the Legion. She also pointed out that the Afghanistan Monument campaign had also requested a grant of $5,000 from the heritage committee. Some councillors voiced concerns that the campaign was trying to get funding from the county by going through two different avenues. CAO Brenda Orchard said the original request to county council was for in- kind services, so it had to come to county council as no one else can determine what staff does. The request to the heritage committee was for a grant, which is different. Joe Steffler, Huron East Deputy Mayor, said he supported the request because the Legion doesn't ask for funding very often. Afghanistan is just like any other war, it was fought for our freedom, he said. Council approved the request to provide up to $20,000. Orchard said staff would try to reduce costs through in-kind services as much as possible. Bluewater Mayor Tyler Hessel sug- gested it was time for the county to review its grant policy. He said he was concerned that anyone could become a delegation before council and request funding. The county has strategic plan and a grant policy, and it's important to make sure they are aligned, he said. Council voted in favour of having the finance policy group review the grant policy and bring any suggestions for change back to council. Paul Thome said a few people have approached him about the monu- ment, and the response has been posi- tive. There has been a lot of commu- nity support; the Legions in Bruce and West Perth have all donated to the campaign. The county has approved the mon- ument site at the Huron County Museum, and so the public campaign has started. The monument is living history, something we are all a part of, Thorne said. "We were there, we witnessed it It's our generation." The monument is another way for people to remember our troops. Can- ada has lost 158 soldiers in Afghani- stan, and people feel they know the soldiers. There's a very personal con- nection, Thome said. Afghanistan is still on the minds of a lot of people," he added. Donations can be made to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 109, care of the Huron County Afghanistan Com- munity Monument. Charitable tax receipts are available. OFFICE HOURS The Office Hours for The Clinton News Record are as follows Mondays - 9am - 5pm Tuesdays - CLOSED Wednesdays - 9am - 5pm' Thursdays - 9am - 5pm Fridays - 9am - 5pm 53 Albert St., Clinton, ON PH: 519-482-3443 • www.clintonnewsrecord.com POSTMEDIA JJ_J�JJJJJJ JJJiJJJ4thJ -Due to the Victoria Day Holiday Monday May 23 OurdeadbneJqr Ibe May 25111 is • e will be TlUursdav May 19th a pm 4ImIws_Record 53ltbert St., Clinton www.clintonnewsrecord.com djohnston@postmedia.com if you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call at 519-482-3443