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The Citizen, 2005-10-13, Page 1$1 (93c + 7c GST) Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 21 No. 40 Thursday, Oct. 13, 2005 | NORTH HURON PUBLISHING COMPANY INC, Inside this week The cost of higher learning Coaches ready to inspire young curlers D« O Community says 7 thanks 3 Blyth students get Garrett award Show and sale at Brussels stockyard New tanker has issues By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor The good news is, the new tanker truck has arrived for the Blyth Fire Department. The bad news is there are problems with it. At the Oct. 3 meeting North Huron councillor James Campbell, chairman of the fire area board, told councillors that there are “a few issues” regarding the tanker. In his report, chief Paul Josling said that the truck is unsafe because of welding and wiring issues. While the chassis and the tank were both built to the specs and both were •satisfactory, the additions to the ruck, such as the side compartments, lights, sirens, etc. iad numerous defects. The most outstanding of these is he fact that the body is 109.5 nches wide and the maximum lllowed on the highway without a ,pecial permit is 102 inches. “I have contacted MTO and an over-width )ermit for the Queen’s highways >nly is $300 per year, and this does lot give us permission for county or nunicipal roads,” Josling stated. Pictures and video have been aken to document the various lefects. Josling has contacted the olicitor, who advised that an stimate be obtained from another ompany to correct the problems. BMB Engines has been notified •f the unsatisfactory condition of ertain components and has been equested to ‘sign off’ the truck idicated that the balance need not e paid. Josling said Monday, that a iccting has been set up for hursday. Dinner time The Belgrave Community Centre floor was jam-packed as 1,000 people sat down together Wednesday, Oct. 5 for the annual fowl supper. Volunteers dished out turkey and all the fixings. The entire community is part of the effort for this huge event with the majority of area residents contributing to the meal in some way. (Heather Crawford photo) Grey group to develop business plan By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor A group of Grey ward residents are proceeding with a business plan as the next step towards the “re­ structuring” of the former Grey Twp. Spokesperson Dianne Diehl said the informal committee looking at the possibility of separating from Huron East, said they quite simply want to govern their own township. “We want Grey back.” CH considers council restructuring By Heather Crawford Citizen staff 1 1 J Monday, Oct. 17 the municipality of Central Huron will be holding a public forum as part of the regular council meeting to hear feedback on a proposal to change council composition. The current electoral system requires three councillors from each ward (the west ward is made up of the former Goderich Twp. and the east ward is made up of the former Town of Clinton and Twp. of No legislation for de-amalgamation By Keith Roulson Citizen publisher Though provincial political officials have indicated they’ll permit unhappy partners in amalgamations to strike out on their own again, no current legislation allows it to happen. Scott Tousaw, Huron County’s According to Diehl the committee isn’t alone. “We spent a lot of time canvassing in the township and tried to reach every one. though you can only go back to a house so many times. However, of those polled 85 per cent said they were in favour of seeing a business plan put together.” While talks of moving away from Huron East have been going on for some time, the committee has been waiting to see how Hensall’s business plan went. That village has Hullett). The reeve and deputy reeve are elected at large. In the proposed new system, all eight councillors (including the reeve and deputy-reeve) would be elected at large. This could mean that each ward would not be equally represented. Deputy-clerk Brenda Maclssac said she has heard some concerns about the new system. “Some people have concerns [that each ward would not be represented],” she said adding that director of planning and development, told county councillors Thursday that his department has been informed by the Ministry of Muni-cipal Affairs and Housing that provincial regulations prohibit changes to municipalities that will result in an increase in the number of municipalities. been in the process of de­ amalgamating from Bluewater. “We went down there to a meeting and it’s an awesome sight to see the people behind them on this.” Despite recent information reported at county council that there is no provincial legislation to permit de-amalgamation Diehl said the committee will proceed with a business plan. “ It could put a damper on things. But with a new eleciton you never know what might happen.” the opinions she has heard were mixed. Maclssac stated that the new system could mean higher voter turnout as well as more interest from people to run. “Last election the three councillors from the East ward were voted in by acclamation,” (meaning there wasn’t any competition or an election). If any changes are adopted they would come into effect for the 2006 election. Maclssac said the municipal Therefore, it would be impossible for a portion of a municipality (Hensail residents have been agitating to leave Bluewater) to leave an amalgamation unless the province changes the legisla­ tion. “It’s really unfortunate that these people are being encouraged to proceed (with de-amalgamation “The thing is, something is wrong. We have heard from people (in other Huron East wards) saying they want out, so what’s that telling people?” Diehl cites a decline in services, not having local government accessible to the residents and the visibility of council within the community as just some of the reasons for the discontent. The committee plans to hold a public meeting once the business plan is complete. office was accepting written opinions on the bylaw before Oct. 12 so as to have them ready to present to council at the Oct. 17 meeting. She said part of the reason for the new proposal was to centralize the municipality. “Some people thought it would help to act as one municipality [instead of East ward and West ward],” she said. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at council chamber, 23 Albert St.in Clinton. talk),” said Deb Shewfelt, Goderich councillor. “They’re being given false hopes.” Bill Dowson, Bluewater councillor said he had been assured by provincial officials they are not encouraging the de-amalgamation talk. “It’s causing a lot of hard feelings,” said Shewfelt.