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The Citizen, 2016-03-31, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016. Letters to the Editor Local says council `dropping the ball' on recreation THE EDITOR, Many of the people in Huron County are well aware of the acronym ARC or Accommodation Review Committee, used by school Boards throughout Ontario, to "improve" school Board's financial positions. We also know the devastating effects this process has had on local schools and rural areas by pitting towns and small schools against each other. In the end, communities are left with closed schools, hard feelings and an out of control budget. It now appears to me and many others that this same scenario has already begun in the Municipality of Huron East. It is an ARC in sheep's clothing. It certainly looks like our current council is steering us down this very dangerous and slippery slope. Entering budget talks for the 2015 year, the entire recreation (three facilities) numbers were not good and that trend has certainly continued into the 2016 budget deliberations. These numbers are very difficult to accept and very likely extremely more difficult to improve, but something certainly has to change. As a minor hockey official, I'm often informed immediately (quite loudly and colourfully I might add) when I have missed a call during a game. Today I have decided to put my thoughts on paper instead of yelling from the stands at a council meeting, describing how council is "screwing up the game". All three recreation facilities in Huron East were built where they are, by our ancestors and many great community leaders of that day. I fully understand that times have changed dramatically in the last 40 years and nothing is easy or cheap for that matter, but this current council has got to change its attitude and mindset immediately, for the sake of all taxpayers in Huron East. Councillors were elected to continue to improve the viability of this municipality, not destroy the very heart and soul of the towns within it. Seili urges fair comparison for Brussels recreation numbers THE EDITOR, Thank you to Huron East Councillor Ray Chartrand for bringing forward the problem of our community centres. They are always going to need taxpayers' support. But let's not put all three centres in Huron East on the same page. They each serve their communities in their own unique way. Vanastra has their day care, pool and community centre. Seaforth has an ice surface and community centre. Brussels has an ice surface, community centre, outdoor pool, soccer fields, and two ball fields. Each centre has a committee to run the day to day routines, but if a grant becomes available council steps on them, applies for the grant and any excess expense goes against an already -approved budget. Much- needed maintenance is usually cut out to balance the budget. Then whatever needs upgraded gets left behind and becomes a more costly expense. Again it goes against the operating budget. Arenas are only buildings that join the capital and operating. To be a fair comparison, the report needs to compare apples to apples. Brussels must take out the expenses for the pool, ball fields and soccer fields. Brussels must budget for grass cutting and snow removal. Those hours are not easily tracked without detailed time sheets of various tasks completed. Keep in mind also, that council further donates $8,000 to Seaforth pool and St. Columban soccer fields. Maybe it's time to area - rate the entire recreation back to the wards and let's see what happens. In the past, Seaforth and Vanastra received grants for various arena projects. Brussels awaits their turn, but is becoming quite restless. It is council's mandate to provide recreation to all taxpayers in their municipality. It won't be easy to keep everyone happy, but please review Survival skills For March Break, several locals spent a day at the family cottage of Crystal Whyte playing games and eating food. Gracie Hoggarth even tested out her primitive survival skills by successfully making a fire without the help of matches. (Vicky Bremner photo) the picture on a fair/equal game plan. This much is true, we cannot continue to do today's business with yesterday's ideas. Former Mayor Joe Seili, Brussels I feel the first thing that must change is the attitude of Mayor Bernie MacLellan and numerous councillors. When conversations, quotes and negative rhetoric from councillors and media articles start promoting the closure of a recreation centre in one town or another, then that "disease" starts to mutate within the community and soon becomes extremely difficult to cure. Immediately, one town is defending its facility against another, debating as to the best way to keep our arena open and have the other one closed, just like the devastating school closure process. This situation is a shameful display from our elected officials. There has to be another way to figure this out. On the bright side, one could assume that if one facility is to close, there would certainly be less "work" for a Facility Maintenance Officer, then likely that position would be deemed unnecessary, saving the tax dollars! Also, if, for example, the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre is to close, which is the direction this council seems to be pointing, then how do you prove to this community that an empty arena will do anything to develop our economy. Therefore we would not likely need an Economic Development Officer either, would we? Add to that the elimination of two full time arena positions and a couple part time staff, which would certainly do wonders for a desperate budget process. Maybe new leather chairs in the council chambers? Good luck telling these people they are no longer needed in Huron East. To use a couple of sports metaphors here, it is time for the council and especially you Bernie, as our captain, to go back to the dressing room and come up with a new game plan as this one will not win the game! You need to take one for the team! I hope with strategic financial restructuring there are resources available somewhere that will defer this situation until a concrete resolution can be attained for all communities involved. To the great people in the Brussels, Morris and Grey area, it is time to let this council know how we feel about this serious issue. In what may be the most important play of a very big game, this council appears more than capable of dropping the ball. Shameful! Kevin Deitner Township of North Huron NORTH Spring Yard Waste Collection HURON Material should be placed at the curb in Paper Organic Yard Waste Bags, or open containers only (not over 44 pounds in weight), before 7 a.m. for collection. Plastic Bags are not acceptable for yard waste and will not be picked up. The Township encourages grass clippings to be left on your lawn providing valuable moisture and nutrients to your lawn. Residents should not include tree branches, which are greater than 4" in diameter. Use large branches for firewood. Use strong twine to bundle tree or shrub branches. Bundles must not be more than 5 feet long, no more than 44 pounds in weight and not more than one foot in diameter. Leaves can be mulched and left on your lawn (simply by running your lawn mower over them two or three times) — they can be added in thin layers to your composting bin, dug directly into the garden, or composted in a separate bin or pile. Yard waste does not include sod, soil, lumber, tree stumps or stones and must be free of metal, food wastes and garbage. The Township will not pickup loose branches. Spring yard waste collection starts Monday, April 11, 2016 and runs according to the following schedule: Monday, April 11, 2016 Monday, April 25, 2016 Monday, May 2, 2016 Monday, May 16, 2016 Any yard waste left at the curb after the Final pickup date will be subject to a minimum charge of $50.00 for pickup. Between the Township's yard waste collection dates, yard waste and grass clippings can currently be taken to the North Huron Wingham Landfill Site located at 86165 Currie Line on Tuesdays & Fridays 9 am -5 pm and Saturdays from 9 am -2 pm. Residents are reminded that curbside household garbage bag tags are $2.50 per tag. Garbage taken to the landfill will be scale weighed on site - loads under 101 kg $10.00 minimum charge; 101 kg - 254 kg $20.00; $85.00 per tonne. Space provided through a partnership between Industry and Ontario Municipalities to support waste diversion programs.