The Citizen, 2015-09-10, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015. PAGE 11.
One Huron County ratepayer is
opposed not just to an amendment
over plumbing and septic
inspections administered by the
Health Unit, but to how the county is
doing some of its business as a
whole.
Dave Hemingway of Central
Huron, spoke to council at its Sept. 2
meeting, saying that he had just
heard word the previous day that
user fees pertaining to septic and
sewage inspections would be
discussed at the meeting.
He said he was disappointed that
the county didn’t do more to spread
the word that something so
important was set to be discussed. If
it had, he said, surveying the empty
gallery in council chamber, he was
sure a number of other people would
be in the gallery and in opposition to
the changes.
Jean-Guy Albert of the Health
Unit said that no real “changes”
were being made as a result of the
amendment, just that fees were
being revised. Hemingway
disagreed, however, stating that
some definitions necessary in the
bylaw had been changed or omitted.
Albert, however, said that wasn’t the
case and invited Hemingway to go
over any definition he’d like with
him.
Moving on from his problem with
the definitions, or lack thereof as he
saw it, within the amendment,
Hemingway said there were major
problems with inspections of septic
systems on rural properties, where
he claimed officials legally aren’t
allowed to set foot due to crown
deeds issued over 100 years ago. He
said that inspectors, or anybody,
hoping to set foot on rural land that
was deeded by the crown would be
breaking the law.
Albert said that the Health Unit
would not set foot on private rural
property without permission, and
that if a legal situation had arisen
where a Health Unit representative
was denied permission, the
organization would then have to go
through a legal process to gain
access.
Hemingway insisted that the
bylaw, if passed by council, would
be violating the rights of rural
property owners in a number of
ways.
Because of what he called “issues”
Hemingway felt it was inappropriate
that the county wouldn’t do more to
spread the word that the bylaw was
set to be discussed at the Sept. 2
meeting.
Clerk Susan Cronin, however,
explained to Hemingway that the
county had gone “above and
beyond” its notice policy for the
bylaw, circulating notice in local
newspapers, posting on the county’s
website and sending notice out to all
lower-tier municipalities.
Hemingway said there were flaws
in the county’s system, and that there
are people without great access to
internet and who don’t get a
newspaper who need to be notified.
He said that while Cronin may be
right that the county followed its
policy, perhaps it’s time to change
the policy.
Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh
Deputy-Reeve Roger Watt agreed
with Hemingway to a degree, saying
that the inspections are a major issue
and the county had to “do better”
when attempting to notify residents
of potential changes.
Goderich Deputy-Mayor Jim
Donnelly, however, defended the
county’s notice system, saying that
the county is not obligated to give
notice to residents on an individual
basis.
“The county is not obligated to
satisfy individual members of the
public,” Donnelly said. “This
[bylaw] is clearly a revision of fees.”
After the public meeting, council
went into its regularly scheduled
meeting for Sept. 2, where the bylaw
was passed.
Ratepayer takes issue with inspection changes
Threshers
set for this
weekend
New faces
Hullett Central Public School welcomed a new family to the fold on Tuesday when the 2015-
2016 school year started. Alongside the many familiar faces returning to the school were
Jessica and Allison Toll who switched over to the school just prior to the new year starting.
Shown are, from left: Principal Cathy Goetz welcoming the new family and Allison, Heather
and Jessica Toll. (Denny Scott photo)
Continued from page 10
pamphlet every year, will
unfortunately not be in attendance.
School activity day on Friday will
feature special events directed
towards visiting students.
There are also several special
public meals scheduled for the
weekend including firefighters’
breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday
starting at 7:30 a.m. at the
Emergency Services Training
Centre and a fish fry supporting the
Shriners at Lions Park starting at 4
p.m. on Friday. The Blyth Lions
Club also host a pork chop dinner
on Sunday night.
For more information, visit
www.blythsteamshow.on.ca or
visit the event’s information
booth just behind the community
centre.
Monteith Ritsma Phillips Professional Corporation
Business Feature
Kevin Wilbee
Kevin was raised on a cash crop family farm
outside of Walton that produces wheat,
soybeans and corn.
Kevin is a High Honours graduate of Carleton
University in Political Science and holds a Law
Degree from the University of Ottawa. He is
currently a Lawyer at Monteith Ritsma Phillips
Professional Corporation.
In October 2014, Kevin was elected as a
councillor of the Municipality of Huron East
and he believes that in order to achieve
meaningful results and solutions, it’s
important to work hard, listen, engage in
dialogue, and collaborate with others.
His first job was working at JR’s Gas
Bar in Brussels and since he has held
numerous positions such as
Parliamentary & Outreach Assistant on
Parliament Hill and Office Manager at
the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs.
As a passionate advocate of various
community, farming and legal issues,
he has developed a unique blend of
knowledge which he is excited to put
to use serving your interest to achieve
meaningful results.
Kevin, who is bilingual, is delighted to
provide you with services in English
and French.
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