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The Citizen, 2012-11-22, Page 27Huron County’s proposed mandatory septic system inspection program was discussed at the Nov. 14 Committee of the Whole meeting, beginning with a presentation by Central Huron Councillor Brian Barnim. Barnim pointed out what he perceived as problems with the program and how its creation has been handled. One point he made was that Goderich representatives should not be involved with the program (including voting on it) at all, as the whole town has just one septic system. After several other presentations and a lengthy break, Barnim had departed, but councillors discussed his presentation. “I was hoping to explain to Mr. Barnim why I should have a vote,” said Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt. “We’re at the bottom of the watershed, so whatever you put in the lake, we drink,” Shewfelt told council. “So that’s why I have a vote.” Bluewater Councillor Tyler Hessel said that the biggest thing standing in the way of the program is council. “There are many different issues at play,” Hessel said. “I think we need to take us out of the equation. We have to start somewhere and if we don’t start somewhere we’ll get nowhere.” Morris-Turnberry Mayor Paul Gowing said that once the program begins being rolled out, he believes any public opposition will right itself thanks to the results. Gowing said that after a discussion with a representative from Huron-Kinloss, he found out that 80 per cent of the municipality’s septic systems have been checked and now those who have had their systems checked are putting pressure on the 20 per cent who have refused. He said the Huron-Kinloss model shows that residents think the program is important and that he felt the same thing could happen in Huron County if it’s given a chance. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012. PAGE 27. International musical comedy star Jimmy Keys doesn’t “work the room” – he takes it over. From Las Vegas to Bermuda and from London to New Zealand, Keys has captivated people wherever he performs. Every high energy evening with Jimmy Keys is packed with music, singing, comedy and amazing impressions, all wrapped up with fantastic piano playing and screamingly funny humour. Originally classically trained and with a comprehensive background in entertaining, Keys invariably takes audiences on a memorable music and comedy trip. A riveting romp from start to finish. Dubbed a cross between Robin Williams and Elton John, Jimmy Keys is really just his remarkable self. With his quick British wit and remarkable knowledge of music, Jimmy’s banter and interaction with those on the other side of the stage is exceptional. He obviously loves his work and loves people. And by the end of the night, the feeling in the theatre is mutual. Don’t miss this wonderful performer, and at the same time support Huron County Food Banks. Keys will be at the Blyth Memorial Hall on Dec. 14 and 15 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and are available through the Blyth box office by calling 519-523-9300. Keys to play fundraiser Septic program debated The future of the Blyth Festival and how it fits into the Village of Blyth was discussed at length during a recent meeting between North Huron Township Council and stakeholders from the village at the Emergency Services Training Centre (ESTC). Blyth Festival General Manager Deb Sholdice, explained during the Nov. 7 meeting that the festival was hoping to have some work done regarding the interior of Memorial Hall, where Festival shows are staged, and that lead to a discussion regarding the future of the centre. While there were some concerns over what work had yet to be done in the building, Director of Recreation and Facilities Pat Newson explained that Memorial Hall, which is a living cenotaph and originally a memorial to World War I veterans, has already had a great deal of work done to it. “We did a lot to fix the building; the plumbing and leaks were fixed and hydro and windows have been worked on, all that’s left is just the paint and spackle now,” she said. Newson said she had worked with Sholdice and that, after applying for grants, she hopes to see the interior renovations Sholdice had planned completed next year. The plans involved some “sprucing up” according to Sholdice. “We keep a capital list of what needs to be done but a lot of the items we had have been crossed off,” she said. “Jobs like window repairs, electrical work, brick and mortar repairs and other projects are all addressed. The roof is pretty good and Pletch Electric is pretty good to come in and keep the electrical system running.” Sholdice explained that plans are in place to modernize the interior of Memorial Hall with new seating and lighting and do some fascia work. The only issue she mentioned beyond that work was a lack of projectors in the facility. The presence of a projector would help with plans that Blyth Business Improvement Area (BIA) Chair Rick Elliott mentioned later on in the meeting. He stated he wanted to see the shoulder season usage of Memorial Hall expanded. “I know Deb and the Festival staff do a great job but, in the shoulder season, they’re down to three or four people [Sholdice later stated they had three full time positions and one part-time in the off season],” he said. “How do we fill that multi-million dollar facility to keep it going all year round?” Ideas given included having meetings there or movies as well as possibly using the theatre space for meetings. Blyth resident Bill Knott said that the centre might find more use beyond that of the Festival if it was being handled by a committee instead of the Recreation and Facilities Department. “I think council should take control of the hall from [The North Huron Facilities and Recreation Department] and move it to a small, local committee,” he said. “The township could provide them with a small marketing budget and they could look at projects. That local control will make the usage more centralized and the group will have greater control over the area.” Sholdice said that the idea was good, but that the committee would need to have an actual business plan and that they may need to take over work that is currently handled by the Blyth Festival. “We currently maintain a website and promote the hall for things like concert organizers,” she said. “We also have to be aware that, as the centre gets busier, it will cost more to maintain it.” Sholdice then explained that, as part of the Festival’s joint-use agreement with the Township, the Festival pays a portion of the off- season utilities and maintenance and that, if usage was to go up, that agreement would have to be changed or the Festival could end up running large deficits due to higher bills. “From the third week in September to the third week in May, we pay rent for using the facility as well as our part of the bills under the joint-use agreement,” she said. “It’s a good agreement, but if hall rentals go from 70 per year to 150, it could negatively impact my budget.” Elliott said the agreement would need to be looked at in that case and also asked if the Festival could make use of their box office to help make revenue in the off season. He asked if there was any way to make the box office a county-wide version of the popular Ticketmaster service. “We’ve discussed that,” Sholdice said. “But, unfortunately, there are just so many online things that we can’t compete with it.” Sholdice mentioned websites like Ticketscene, a service that allows people to both advertise and sell tickets for upcoming events, make it difficult to take on projects like that. She said that, up until recently, the annual Taste of Huron event sold tickets through the Festival but they recently switched over to an online service. Council made no comment on the suggestion. Resident suggests running Festival by committee Entertainer Extraordinaire Jimmy Keys to Rock Blyth in support of Huron County Food Banks Don’t miss this wonderful performer and at the same time support Huron County Food Banks. Food Donations will be accepted at this event. December 14 and 15 – 8:00 pm Blyth Memorial Hall Tickets just $25 available through the Blyth Box Office 519.523.9300 International musical comedy star Jimmy Keys doesn’t “work the room” – he takes over the room! Dubbed a cross between Robin Williams and Elton John, Jimmy Keys is really just his remarkable self. at participating stores in Wingham        Alex Raynard Wingham and Area Health Professionals Recruitment Bursary Recipient. Best wishes on your pursuit of a career in healthcare at UWO in Biological Medical Sciences. Congratulations WING NIGHT Saturday, November 24 5 pm - 12 pm At the Belgrave Community Centre Take-out available! 519-357-4220 Belgrave Community Centre Board is hosting Entertainment Leisure& By Denny Scott The Citizen