The Citizen, 2010-12-16, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010.New North Huron Council takes office, has big ideas
Share your Christmas memories
A tight spot
Santa Claus was put in a tight spot last week at the
Brussels Public School annual Christmas concert. Rising
fuel costs were putting a strain on the distribution of
presents and Santa’s workshop needed another revenue
stream. Santa, Ryan Jacklin, was then talked into a reality
game show to try and win some dough. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Continued from page 19
Yes, Christmas memories are
important because they are made up
of people who love us and shape our
lives forever. I want to take this time
to thank all of you for making
wonderful memories with me as we
worked, played, laughed, joked,
talked, prayed, drank coffee,
challenged each other and finally
just loved each other in all we did
together this year. This poem, called
“Christmas” by M.E. Mero sums it
up for me...
Christmas is more than a day in
December,
It’s all of those things that we love to
remember
It’s carolers singing familiar refrains
Bright coloured stockings and shiny
toy trains
Streamers of tinsel and glass satin
balls
Laughter that rings through the
house and its halls
Christmas is more than a day in
December
It’s the magic and the love,
That we'll always remember.
So let me return to that story about
that 80-year-old year couple who
were having trouble remembering
things. There is no doubt that we
will continue to lose our memory as
we get older, but we don’t have to
lose our will to want to continue
remembering by sharing those good
old stories that make us who we are.
My family and I, wish you and
yours, a Christmas filled with much
sharing of memories of past
Christmases.
From our family: Noel, Peter,
Sydney, Serena, Lore and Perry to
your family. May your Christmas be
filled with many joyful, happy
memories, past and present with the
gift of love that God gives to
everyone.
North Huron Township Council
members took a few minutes to talk
about how they felt about the past
and what they see for the future of
their political careers at the
inaugural meeting of council on
Dec. 6.
Returning Reeve Neil Vincent
began the opening remarks by
reading out several of the key
concepts of Robert’s Rules of Order,
the text by which the governments
determine their interactions.
Vincent then stated that the
incoming government is arriving
with many projects yet to be
completed, and that they need to
work together to complete them.
“We have a lot of things to finish,
and a lot of things to get started in
the next four years,” Vincent stated.
“We have to work as best we can as
a united body because the more
united we are, the better we will
perform.
“I’m not meaning that I don’t
want vigorous debate on things –
but when we come to a concensus,
when we have a resolution moved,
seconded and carried, that is a
council decision,” he said.
He went on to remind councillors
that what they say can always be
considered on the record, and that
they should banish the term “no
comment” from their lexicon, as it’s
always better to explain why you
can’t comment than to simply not.
Deputy-Reeve David Riach
stated, before being nominated to
the position, that he wants to focus
on several areas, including
developing relationships with
neighbours, implementing “fair and
equitable” user fees and getting
council to think outside the box.
Councillor Brock Vodden stated
that he wants to see council realize
that many issues they deal with can
be changed into opportunities.
“That’s the main thing we need to
do over the next for years – discover
those opportunities and exploit
them,” Vodden stated. “I think we
have a tremendous number of
opportunities here.”
Bernie Bailey, a new councillor
from Wingham Ward, used his
opening remarks to state that he was
there to stop the downloading of
responsibilities onto the lower tier,
and to create revenue generating
opportunities.
“First, I want to thank the voters
for this opportunity,” Bailey stated,
then went on to say that the federal
and provincial government need to
support their rulings, and stop
downloading costs on to the lower
tier municipalities.
“We need to send a strong united
voice from the township and the
county to the province,” he said.
“We need to create more scenarios
like [the Emergency Services
Training Centre] that will generate
revenue instead of being a burden on
taxes.”
Councillor James Campbell stated
that, while everyone has goals, often
times they aren’t something that a
person can pursue once they are on
council.
“I’ve been here for 16 years now,”
Campbell started. “I’ve seen a lot of
changes.
“All of us come to council with an
agenda at first, but you don’t have to
be here long to realize you can’t do
much for that agenda,” he said. “The
one thing I can say is that every
decision I’ve seen made in my 16
years has been upheld.”
Councillor Alma Conn echoed the
sentiment of Vincent’s comments,
and disputed Campbell’s, denying
that she has an alterior motive for
running for council.
“Although some may have
agendas, I came to this council as an
objective individual,” she said. “I
hope we can learn to work as a team.
I may not agree with all the
GERRITJE GRIETJE BAKKER
Mrs. Kerrie Bakker of Wingham
passed away at Wingham and
District Hospital on Wednesday,
Dec. 8, 2010. She was 100.
The former Kerrie van de Pol was
the beloved wife of the late Rimmer
Bakker who predeceased her in
1952.
She was the loving mother of
Teade and Barbara Bakker, Marinus
and Margaret Bakker, all of RR 3,
Auburn and Aantje and Tom
Robinson of Wingham. She was also
the mother-in-law of Kenneth
Nichols of Uxbridge.
She is also survived by 11
grandchildren and 17 great-
grandchildren. She was predeceased
by her daughter Eefje MacLean in
2007, by two sisters and one brother.
Visitation was held at McBurney
Funeral Home, Wingham, on Friday
from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral
service was held at the funeral home
chapel on Saturday at 1 p.m. Rev.
Richard D. Hall officiated.
Interment is in Dungannon
Cemetery, Dungannon.
Memorial donations to a charity of
one’s choice would be appreciated
as expressions of sympathy.
Online condolences may be left at
www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com
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Obituaries
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
Continued on page 26