Huron Expositor, 2016-12-28, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Council accepts Vibrancy Fund for more than $2 million
The municipality of Huron East
is now a willing host for the
St. Columban Wind Farm
Shaun Gregory
Huron Expositor
Usually when a motion is
passed or rejected, the
municipality of Huron East
simply moves forward
according to the number of
hands put up, but not this
time as the topic at hand
involved one of the most
controversial topics to date -
wind turbines.
Three years ago council
was offered a Vibrancy Fund
Agreement from the St.
Columban Wind Farm,
which operates 15 wind
turbines.
In the contract, it speci-
fied that they were prepared
to give Huron East $115,000
annually for 20 years, but
this significant contribution
of funds would come with a
catch, council must agree
that they are a "willing host."
Council turned down the
offer.
However, these past
qualms would never be
thrown under the rug per-
manently. CAO of Huron
East, Brad Knight admitted
that numerous councillors
have asked if the option
could possibly be brought
back to the table, since that
initial decision.
During the traditional bi-
weeldy December 6 meeting,
the Mayor of Huron East,
Bernie MacLellan presented
coun- cil with a motion con-
cerning the previously
declined proposal.
Two weeks later he
requested it to be reviewed
in the council chambers dur-
ing their last meeting before
the holidays.
Huron East Against
Turbines (HEAT) was on
hand in anticipation and
hoped that the political
assemblage would once
again turn down the more
than $2 million agreement.
Knight propelled the
recorded vote.
Tuckersmith Councillor
Larry McGrath voted no,
Seaforth Coun. Nathan Mar-
shall said yes, the Mayor
voted in favour, both Brus-
sels Councillors John Lowe
and David Blaney were in
favour of being a willing
host, Seaforth's ward rep,
Bob Fisher voted no, Dianne
Diehl and Alvin McLellan
from Grey Ward approved
the motion, McKillop's
Brenda Dalton voted no and
her fellow ward rep Kevin
Wilbee voted yes and Dep-
uty Mayor Joe Steffler also
voted yes.
The motion carried and
the HEAT members gath-
ered outside of council, dis-
appointed with council's
decision.
"The Mayor was wrong on
two issues, the province did
not pass (a) moratorium on
wind turbines, they are sim-
ply suspended," explained
Gerry Ryan after the motion
was passed.
"He's misinformed and
now he's misinforming the
public."
Ryan also said he is more
than disappointed in Stef-
fler's actions seeing how he's
on the health board.
With a crackle in his
voice that seemed to come
from a place of emotion,
Ryan said that to the best of
his knowledge the deputy
mayor is the one who put
the motion on the floor for
the health board to conduct
an investigation.
Steffler's reason for being
in favour of the motion
stemmed from numbers
provided by the Mayor. Cal-
culations estimated that
the wind turbines yearly
payments would cover
roughly three per cent of
the municipal taxes per
resident.
"That's equivalent to a lot
of property taxes," he said.
Submitted Photo
Huron East voted 9-3 in favour of the Vibrancy Fund that will
annually give the municipality $115,000 for the next 19 years,
which initially was 20 years.
"The turbines are going to
turn whether we accept it or
don't accept it:"
The Mayor promised if the
contract ever did go sour in
the future and they did not
Shuffleboard scores
Shuffleboard scores from Dec.
21.
Men's high: John MacDonald,
James Davis, 3 wins, Erich Mat-
zold, John Coleman, Norm
Dawe, Red Vantyghem, Hugo
What if one company
could solve all your
business needs?
We can connect all the pieces
in more ways than ever before.
agree with what St. Colum -
ban was asking, they would
basically just end the
contract.
"We can walk there is no
stopping us:'
Menheere 2 wins.
Women's high: Marian Pull-
man and Grace Dawe 2 wins.
rp] POSTMEDIA
For more information, visit postmedia.com/advertise
JJflUJRC'H
(CM
You are invited to attend these area churches
ST. THOMAS ANGLICAN
21 Jarvis St., Seaforth
Church Office
519-527-1522
holyspirit@tcc.on.ca
Rev. Shaun Eaton - Priest -in -Charge
Sunday January 1
Worship at 9:30am
Blessing of the Doors
Happy New Year!
Everyone Welcome
EGMONDVILLE UNITED CHURCH
New Year's Day
No Worship Service
January 1, 2017
May God Bless you
as always in this New Year
Like us on facebook
www.egmondvilleunitedchurch.com
BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH
An Associated Gospel Church
126 Main St. Seaforth
519-527-0982
Interim Pastor: Rev. Laurie Morris
January 1 - 10:30 am
"Testimony Sunday"
January 8 - 11 am
"Honour in Song"
Sunday School - 9:45 am
Tuesday Evenings:
Youth Group - 6:30 - 9 pm
NoB&GClub
(1---\ EVERYONE WELCOME
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth
519-527-0170
Rev. Dwight Nelson
Lorrie Mann - Organist
Sunday, January 1 -11 am
"Happy New Year"
Sunday School
Nursery Provided as Needed
�� ALL WELCOME
"The Mayor was wrong on
two issues, the province did
not pass (a) moratorium on
wind turbines, they are sim-
ply suspended," explained
Gerry Ryan after the motion
was passed.
"He's misinformed and
now he's misinforming the
public."
Ryan also said he is more
than disappointed in Stef-
fler's actions seeing how he's
on the health board.
With a crackle in his
voice that seemed to come
from a place of emotion,
Ryan said that to the best of
his knowledge the deputy
mayor is the one who put
the motion on the floor for
the health board to conduct
an investigation.
Steffler's reason for being
in favour of the motion
stemmed from numbers
provided by the Mayor. Cal-
culations estimated that
the wind turbines yearly
payments would cover
roughly three per cent of
the municipal taxes per
resident.
"That's equivalent to a lot
of property taxes," he said.
Submitted Photo
Huron East voted 9-3 in favour of the Vibrancy Fund that will
annually give the municipality $115,000 for the next 19 years,
which initially was 20 years.
"The turbines are going to
turn whether we accept it or
don't accept it:"
The Mayor promised if the
contract ever did go sour in
the future and they did not
Shuffleboard scores
Shuffleboard scores from Dec.
21.
Men's high: John MacDonald,
James Davis, 3 wins, Erich Mat-
zold, John Coleman, Norm
Dawe, Red Vantyghem, Hugo
What if one company
could solve all your
business needs?
We can connect all the pieces
in more ways than ever before.
agree with what St. Colum -
ban was asking, they would
basically just end the
contract.
"We can walk there is no
stopping us:'
Menheere 2 wins.
Women's high: Marian Pull-
man and Grace Dawe 2 wins.
rp] POSTMEDIA
For more information, visit postmedia.com/advertise