Huron Expositor, 2013-12-11, Page 22 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Controversy erupts once again at Huron East council
Whitney South
Huron Expositor
Things got heated once again at Huron
East council, as members of the public made
their opinions known on issues surrounding
the impending installation of wind turbines
in the area.
Spectators poured in to council chambers
throughout the Dec. 10 meeting, resulting in
a packed house.
The agenda featured several issues involv-
ing the St. Columban Wind Farm, including
items surrounding a potential study as well
as road use and vibrancy fund agreements.
The crowd became agitated during discus-
sions involving McKillop Coun. Allison
Delcroon's motion to seek out a professional
acoustician's estimate for a baseline noise
study.
Dekroon explained it was in the best
interest of council to conduct their own study
for the protection of the people, as it was pos-
sible the government would not share the
results of their findings.
While council debated specifics of the
motion, such as whether or not the study
should be done before or after the turbines
have been installed, members of the gallery
began to shout out their support for the
study.
Mayor Bernie MacLellan warned specta-
tors council would not be taking comments
from the gallery and the meeting would be
moved to private chambers should the dis-
ruptions continue.
"Why do you choose not to listen to the
gallery?" shouted one audience member, cit-
ing the estimate he had researched online
had come to only $5,000, much less than
council was estimating.
The mayor then stated council would take
a brief recess and reminded the gallery once
again more outbursts would be met with a
closed session.
At this point several members of the audi-
ence got up from their seats and attempted
to follow the mayor and deputy mayor into
private chambers but were stopped at the
door.
When council reconvened, after it was
informed plain -clothed OPP officers were
already in attendance to monitor the crowd,
Coun. Dekroon's motion, to investigate the
cost of a baseline noise study, was passed by
a majority vote.
Dekroon also motioned the third reading
of several bylaws surrounding turbines be
left until the following council meeting. As a
result, the bylaw authorizing road use for the
St. Columban Energy Limited Partnership
was deferred. However, the road usage agree-
ment involving Varna Wind Inc. bylaw was
passed.
As the discussion turned to authorizing a
community vibrancy agreement with Varna
Wind Inc., the crowd reached its boiling
point, referring to the fund as blood money.
Shouts of anger from the gallery filled the
room and one man was asked to leave cham-
bers after accusing the mayor of "stepping on
democracy," and denying there was ever a
vibrancy fund.
The mayor was quick to respond.
"This is not something we asked for, the
fact they chose to come here," he said. "If
they're willing to give money to the commu-
nity, we're not going to say no even if we're
unwilling hosts."
After a motion put forth by Coun. Dekroon
and seconded by Seaforth Coun. Bob Fisher,
the vibrancy fund vote was also deferred and
will continue to be a hot topic at council's
next meeting Dec. 17.
Catholic school board appoints chair and vice -chair
% Ron Marcy begins
ninth term; Amy
Cronin starts her
second
At its inaugural meeting of the
board of trustees on Mon., Dec.
2, Ron Marcy was acclaimed to
the position of chairperson of
the Huron -Perth Catholic Dis-
trict School Board.
A retired secondary school
teacher, Marcy's experience as a
trustee dates back to 1975 with
the former Huron -Perth County
Roman Catholic Separate School
Board. He is serving his ninth
term as chair.
Marcy stated, ""It is a privilege
to be elected chair of the board.
I look forward to working with
my fellow trustees, student trus-
tees, administration, our board
chaplain and all employees of
the board. Together we will con-
tinue to further the Catholic for-
mation of our students and to
maintain the excellent academic
standards that are obvious in our
Seaforth Merchants
Have Sharpened Their Pencils
Catholic schools. All of our board
members bring a different set of talents
and interests to the table and together
we will be able to act in a cohesive man-
ner for the best interests of the most
important people in our system - the
students"
Trustee Amy Cronin was acclaimed
to the position of vice -chair. This is her
second term as vice -chair.
RS. Use
Your
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For More
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we have the spirit
Whitney South Huron Expositor
Grant helps build more green
The Seaforth and District Horticultural Society presented the food bank with a
cheque for $500 on Dec. 3, for improvements to their community garden. The grant
money has already provided the garden with a new edger and will also go towards
expanding the garden to include three more beds, bringing their total to 10 in all.
Pictured left to right: Volunteers Anne Sharp and Norma Kahn, Brenda Barclay of the
Horticultural Society and Herb McGowan of the Seaforth and District Food Bank.
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Huron County (Deanie Jardine)
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