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Wednesday, April 13, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 17
Huron:Past wardens take to the county podium
Spring tradition
• Cheryl Heath
NI Agency
As is an annual spring tradition, 1luron County Council
welcomed a full house to its April session on April 6.
Among those speaking at the April 6 meeting was Robin
Dunbar, constituency assistant for I luron-Bruce MPP Carol
Mitchell. Dunbar notes the province's recent commitment to
an expansive Risk Management Program is good news for
rural Ontario, and I luron County in particular.
Noting the RMP "had it genesis in Iluron County," Dunbar
says much of the credit for its framework must go to corn,
grain and oilseeds producers who consistently advocated for
the creation of the program.
"It's certainly a big boost for us," adds Dunbar.
Meanwhile, former county warden Doug Layton took to
the podium to introduce' the many past wardens on hand for
the event, including 19/16 warden Neil Armstrong, 1992 %var-
den Robert Fisher, 1993 warden Tom Tomes, 1996warden Bill
Clifford, and 2001 warden Norm Fairless. Honorary wardens
Bill Alcock and Bill Manley were also on hand for the
ceremony.
Thanks, Dan
County councillors took time out to pay tribute to recently
retired Iluron OPP inspector Dan Grant.
As his peers looked on, Grant received a plaque of appre-
ciation by former county warden Deb Shewfelt (Goderich),
who notes he was on the police services board that chose
Grant for the position.
"You certainly have served us faithfully," says Shewfelt.
"It's been an honour and a pleasure," says Grant.
Bruce Power Presentation
All is well at Bruce Power.
Company spokesman Murray Elston delivered that mes-
sage during his annual report to county council as part of the
company's continuing efforts at transparency.
Elston reports that while there were some 'alpha" contami-
nation issues in 2010, the incidents resulted in no violations,
though "many changes" were made.
"There were no major spills or issues," reports Elston, not-
ing Bruce Power supplied 25 per cent of Ontario's electricity
this past year, while collecting $2.26 billion in revenue and
accruing $1.69 billion in costs.
Indeed, says Elston, there are a "considerable amount of
expenditures on site" given the restart work continuing on
units one and two.
"Our goal is to have 6,300 megawatts or eight units work-
ing," he says.
One bit of new news, says Elston, Is Bruce Power has put its
steam generator project on hold pending further consulta-
tion with stakeholders.
"We have not set a date for moving materials," he says of
the somewhat controversial plan to ship waste to Sweden.
Among those opposing the plan is the Sierra Club, which is
asking for a judicial review.
Also in the news, says Elston, is an ongoing repairs effort at
the Fukushitna Daiichi plant in Japan, following a devastat-
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ing earthquake and tsunami.
In addressing the "very tragic event," Elston says it is impor-
tant to note the plant withstood the earthquake, which regis-
tered a nine on the Richter scale, and only began to malfunc-
tion when a 40 -foot wall of water overwhelmed the facility
since seawater has a devastating impact on electrical
equipment,
Elston adds it is important for Ontarians to realize Bruce
Power is prepared in the event of a disaster.
"We're not sitting idly by, thinking it will not happen; he
says.
During a short question -and -answer session with council-
lors, Bill Dowson (Bluewater) asked about the consequences
of not shipping waste' to Sweden to which Elston notes there
are a number of concerns, including the site of the requisite
storage container's at 100 tonnes and the environmental
footprint.
1)owson also learned Bruce Power lias no interest in get-
ting into the business of huddling the work itself.
"•lht' people in Sweden know holy to do this and have bone
it," he says.
>tltsunwhile, Coun. 1)t'b She vfel1 ((oderirh) !earned the
transmission line project to Alilton is urldt'r way and there are
only a few minor issues to bt' dealt with.
"'1he work is progressing," says Elston, adding there is "a lot
of misinformation out there" with regard to the project.
(:1I1P in
Councillors arts prepared to chip in to the Coalition for
I heron injury Prevention (CHIP) budget following a presen-
tation made by the road safety -focused group.
Wingham police chief Tim Poole led the charge in outlin-
ing (:I h1P's plans for the conning year, including a proposal to
purchase an electronic speed sign that can be used through-
out the county to thaw passing 111otorists' attention to their
driving speeds.
"Our focus is on road safety,' says Poole, noting the $12,000
fundraising goal has almost been reached thanks to the sup-
port of various stakeholders and partners, including a $ 5,(x10
grant from the Ministry of Transportation Ontario (M'fO).
fohn Warkentin, MTO's representation on (3111, points to
statistics showing seven deaths resulted from about 1,900
collisions within county borders in 2010. 1 le says speed is a
contributing factor its most instances.
Warkentin also reports the new speed sign will he used at
county "hot spots" in a concerted effort to encourage motor-
ists to slow down.
Meanwhile, county council was asked for $6,000 to help
fund CIIIP projects, including purchasing media spots to
promote safety, as well as $3,500 for the senior -focused safe
driving campaigns.
During a question -and -answer session, Coun. James Ginn
(Central Huron) asked whether a new sigh would be a benefit
to the county roads' department,
Public works director Dave Laurie says the sign would be a
welcome addition, especially at bridge repair sites where
speeders often prove to be a menace.
Hooking Up
At least one county councillor would like the county to join
forces with farm group that are interested in seeing I lydro
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One get all of the solar power projects on line.
Coun. James Ginn (Central Huron) asked fellow councilors
to support a motion that will ask 1 hydro One to streamline
efforts to ensure that landowners with solar panels can con-
nect to the grid as soon as possible rather than being stalled,
as has been the case in too many cases.
Coun. Deb Shewfelt (Goderich) says while it is an issue, his
municipality was among those that first checked into the plan
and subsequently opted out.
In encouraging fellow councillors to support (inn's
motion, Bernie MacLellan (I luron East) says lobbying efforts
do work.
"There are certainly areas that are literally on hold," says
Maci ellan, adding he Inas heard 1huron-Bruce M PP Carol
Mitchell is working on ways to rectify the problem.
Councillors supported a motion that will see a letter
drafted to the province and I lydro One, asking that resolu-
tion to the outstanding matter be expedited.
Getting Salty
At the behest of Coun, hill t)owson (Bluewater), County
Council will soon hear a pitch by 1 Iuron County 1 lealth Unit
representative 011 the dangers of so-called energy soft
brinks.
Coun. Bernie MacLellan (I!mon EastO, who chairs the
hoard of health, says the health unit has sent a letter to the
province, asking for a push 00 sodium -reduced beverages.
PRiSM Update
Conn. Bernie MacLellan lv.tnts to see the facts about the
county's Prolective Response interactive Services Manage-
ment (PRISM) system.
MacLellan asked county staff to present an updated report
on the number of householders registered to the county's
PRISM system, which is designed to call impacted house-
holders in the event of an emergency or special event, like a
boil -water advisory,
Maclellan says 1t doesn't nlitkt' sense for the county to
continue supporting the program, "if we don't lrtist it."
Jailhouse Blues?
Coun. John (race is among those expressing concern
about the possibility the local courts could soon be central-
ized, taking jobs with them, as part of the province's planned
overhaul of the courts and correctional facility systems.
"1 don't think the court will he here in five years," says
Grace.
In suggesting county staff should perhaps look at impend-
ing jail closures and the future of the court system, Coun, Deb
Shewfelt (Goderich) says it is an issue for the municipalities
too because if prisoners must be transported further for court
sessions, there is the question of who picks up the tab.
i`erININdMIIly'1ellis
Are you a part of the surrounding communities of HensalI? Do you
have'dens about what programs andservlcei are needed to improve
your community?
Gra±incrbend Area ComrtunityVilltistitit6 Wants to tt4ar
itrom 1,.,
M part of Ontario's Community Health Week, we are holding a
Focus Group in order to fain viaulible input as to the`needs of the
commtinity. Service'dubs,2ommun'lty ?gentles and all citizens are
` v`iome to attend.
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Alikellillieniilisalf
rilei'ipm
Wre:Werk all tinned Church
is* Communitl►eahh 'worker at
I4tl o,iTifee444
freshm'nts wife be pro
C. COM