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Huron Expositor, 2013-12-18, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, December 18, 2013 One year, two, are we back to one again? Council to re -address term of warden Paul Cluff QM! Agency The two-year term of war- den could be going back to one-year after Huron County council hastily voted to re- address its length of term by year's end. At the Wed. Dec. 11 com- mittee of the whole meeting, council voted 9-7 to bring the topic back to the table, nullifying a November 2012 decision to extend the length of office, set to start after Joe Steffler's term ends next December. As per the municipal act, a decision has to be made either way before the end of the year or that decision won't take effect for four years, because 2014 is an election year, said CAO Brenda Orchard. Council agreed to discuss and vote on the length of term Dec. 30. Opinions varied widely in council chambers. Past Warden George Rob- ertson said council should remember that they are elected in the lower tiers and time commitments will con- flict with the warden's post. A two-year term is not good for the lower tiers, he said. Councillors Deb Shewfelt and Dave Jewitt emphasized that Huron County is a big business and consistency is needed in leadership in a competitive landscape. "I have been a long, long time believer that it should be a two-year term, it's a business, it's not a social club and we treat it like a social club," Shewfelt said of the warden's post during a break from the meeting. Shewfelt told councillors it takes two or three months to acclimatize to the warden's role. Summers are slower, as well, with fewer meetings. "You can't run a $90 mil- lion business with someone heading it up six or eight months of the year. It's impossible At the polar opposite of the debate sat Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson, who suggested the warden's post is more of a 'length of service reward' for councillors and a one-year term would give more people a chance to run for the position. Seaforth Mayor Bernie MacLellan balked at the 'reward' suggestion. "As a group we pick some- one who can lead, it has nothing to do with how long you have been around." MacLellan said the work- load can be managed and responsibilities delegated if need be. The position is not meant to be full-time, he said, though he did take a year off work to focus on the warden's post and Huron East council in 2012. Art Versteeg, who lost the warden's vote earlier this month to Steffler, mentioned in the past he sees the role as a 'figurehead! "I don't believe everyone should get a turn. There are differences in abil- ities around this table "It is a figurehead position now, kissing babies and cut- ting ribbons," Shewfelt said. "I haven't seen (a warden) get out there and meet with industry and find out what they want. I have been around since the '70's. It's a social club, always has been." Huron County's warden is paid an honorarium of $11,500, plus per diems for full and half-day (less than 2.5 hours) meetings of $259.37 and $148.21, respectively. SPONSORSHIP OF ROMA SUITE TO BE REVIEWED Two Huron County com- panies have offered to 'spon- sor' a hospitality suite at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) confer- ence in Toronto next year, Coun. John Grace told coun- cillors. Held at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, the suites are a place where councillors can interact with each other. A suite that allows the renter to bring their own booze and food runs $1,900 while a suite that sells those items to guests is $1,200. Grace said on a break from the meeting that there are many suites sponsored by businesses and the practice is nothing new. "I don't believe it is a problem." Shewfelt suggested asking the county lawyer if there is any potential conflict. "If it is a company that (the county) are doing large busi- ness with, I don't think you can accept that sponsorship. Certainly if you wish to have a room that you can drop in, that's a different thing." "My understanding is they are sponsoring it, whereas if they rented a room and opened it to various commu- nities, it's a different thing to me, but it's a lawyers decision:' Council agreed to have legal counsel look into the matter. If they are advised not to accept the sponsor- ship, a suite will be paid for on the county dime. WOOD ACCEPTS HON- OUR FROM COUNTY Gary Wood was presented with a plaque from the county in honour of his serv- ices as emergency manage- ment coordinator. EMS chief Dave Lew said Wood worked in emergency services for more than 33 years, includ- ing 10 in Huron County. "He moved our system for- ward and now we are well recognized in southwestern Ontario and the province," Lew told council. Shewfelt said Wood's expertise was appreciated, particularly when the F3 tor- nado hit Goderich and area. DEACCESSION AT THE MUSEUM Firearms, an organ and a Sebringeville OPP uniform are among the items on their way out of the Huron County Museum. A deaccession process is underway and those items will find their way to other museums, said Meighan Wark, director of cultural services. Items often move from museum to museum, but best practice is to inform the public and council when changes are made to collec- tions, Ward said. get it inline seaforthhuronexpositor.com Get all of your news, sports and more. Serving Seaforth and surrounding area 1.2 million Canadians —1 in 25 — carry the gene for cystic fibrosis, da% Canadian Cystic Irk Fibrosis Foundation 1-8011-318-CCFF www.cysticlibrosis.ca t "Mr M 0 e -47111 :1 You are invited to attend these area churches ST. THOMAS CHURCH ST. JAMES ROMAN 21Jarvis St. Seaforth CATHOLIC CHURCH Rector The Rev. Karine Farmer WELCOMES YOU Rectory 519-482-9071 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth Church Office 519-527-1522 519-345-2972 Sunday, December 22 Sun. Mass 11 a.m. Fourth Sunday of Advent Worship at 9:30 a.m. ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN Candlelight Christmas Eve worship 8pm Sat. Mass 5 p.m. Christmas Day worship 10am in Clinton Sun. Mass 9 a.m. Everyone Welcome FR. CHRIS GILLESPIE BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH EGNIONDVILLE An Associated Gospel Church UNITED CHURCH 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Pastor Mark Kennedy Pastor Steve Hildebrand Sunday School for all ages 9:45-10:45 Youth Coordinator - Laura Nakamura SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 11 a.m. Christmas Sunday 4th Sunday of Advent Wednesday Evenings Worship Dec. 22nd 11 a.m. • Youth Groups - Junior & Senior High Christmas Eve Service Dec. 24th 7:30 p.m. 6:30 to 9 p.m. • Boys & Girls Club JK to Gr. 6 Please join us for all our activities. 7 - 8:15 p.m. Youth Sunday School at 11 a.m. • Adults at 10 a.m. • Adult Bible Study 7 p.m. Website: 6- EVERYONE WELCOME www.egmondvilleunitedchurch.com NORTHSIDE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH UNITED CHURCH 59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth MINISTER MARY FLETCHER 519-527-0170 Sunday, Dec. 22, 11 a.m. Rev. Linda Moffatt 4th Sunday of Advent Lorrie Baker - Organist Christmas Sunday Service Worship Christmas Eve Service 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22nd, 11 a.m. Joint Service for Northside and Cavan You are welcome to worship with us! Dec. 24 7 p.m. Christmas Eve Service Come Home for Christmas ..T. 54 Goderich St. W. s 519-527-1449 101- www.cavannorthsideunited.ca Sunday School & Nursery Provided. la Office Hours Wed. 9 a.m. - noon. warden's post during a break from the meeting. Shewfelt told councillors it takes two or three months to acclimatize to the warden's role. Summers are slower, as well, with fewer meetings. "You can't run a $90 mil- lion business with someone heading it up six or eight months of the year. It's impossible At the polar opposite of the debate sat Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson, who suggested the warden's post is more of a 'length of service reward' for councillors and a one-year term would give more people a chance to run for the position. Seaforth Mayor Bernie MacLellan balked at the 'reward' suggestion. "As a group we pick some- one who can lead, it has nothing to do with how long you have been around." MacLellan said the work- load can be managed and responsibilities delegated if need be. The position is not meant to be full-time, he said, though he did take a year off work to focus on the warden's post and Huron East council in 2012. Art Versteeg, who lost the warden's vote earlier this month to Steffler, mentioned in the past he sees the role as a 'figurehead! "I don't believe everyone should get a turn. There are differences in abil- ities around this table "It is a figurehead position now, kissing babies and cut- ting ribbons," Shewfelt said. "I haven't seen (a warden) get out there and meet with industry and find out what they want. I have been around since the '70's. It's a social club, always has been." Huron County's warden is paid an honorarium of $11,500, plus per diems for full and half-day (less than 2.5 hours) meetings of $259.37 and $148.21, respectively. SPONSORSHIP OF ROMA SUITE TO BE REVIEWED Two Huron County com- panies have offered to 'spon- sor' a hospitality suite at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) confer- ence in Toronto next year, Coun. John Grace told coun- cillors. Held at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, the suites are a place where councillors can interact with each other. A suite that allows the renter to bring their own booze and food runs $1,900 while a suite that sells those items to guests is $1,200. Grace said on a break from the meeting that there are many suites sponsored by businesses and the practice is nothing new. "I don't believe it is a problem." Shewfelt suggested asking the county lawyer if there is any potential conflict. "If it is a company that (the county) are doing large busi- ness with, I don't think you can accept that sponsorship. Certainly if you wish to have a room that you can drop in, that's a different thing." "My understanding is they are sponsoring it, whereas if they rented a room and opened it to various commu- nities, it's a different thing to me, but it's a lawyers decision:' Council agreed to have legal counsel look into the matter. If they are advised not to accept the sponsor- ship, a suite will be paid for on the county dime. WOOD ACCEPTS HON- OUR FROM COUNTY Gary Wood was presented with a plaque from the county in honour of his serv- ices as emergency manage- ment coordinator. EMS chief Dave Lew said Wood worked in emergency services for more than 33 years, includ- ing 10 in Huron County. "He moved our system for- ward and now we are well recognized in southwestern Ontario and the province," Lew told council. Shewfelt said Wood's expertise was appreciated, particularly when the F3 tor- nado hit Goderich and area. DEACCESSION AT THE MUSEUM Firearms, an organ and a Sebringeville OPP uniform are among the items on their way out of the Huron County Museum. A deaccession process is underway and those items will find their way to other museums, said Meighan Wark, director of cultural services. Items often move from museum to museum, but best practice is to inform the public and council when changes are made to collec- tions, Ward said. get it inline seaforthhuronexpositor.com Get all of your news, sports and more. Serving Seaforth and surrounding area 1.2 million Canadians —1 in 25 — carry the gene for cystic fibrosis, da% Canadian Cystic Irk Fibrosis Foundation 1-8011-318-CCFF www.cysticlibrosis.ca