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Lakeshore Advance, 2013-03-27, Page 5wednesda , March 27.2013 • Lakeshore Advance 5 Community www.lakeshoreadvance.com letters to the editor Spaghetti dinner to Tilting at windmills support Dragonboatteam lo the Editor, 'There are approximately 80 weeks until the next Municipal election Note: Wikipedia defines "tilt- ing at windmills" as an English idiom, which means attacking imaginary enemies. 'Ihe phrase derives from an episode in the novel Don Quixote by Cervan- tes. Don Quixote says to his squire "Do you see over yon- der, friend Sancho, thirty or forty hulking giants?(windmills) I intend to do battle with theta and slay them." I have watched with display the proceedings of the Lamb - ton Shores Council meetings. The business of Lanlhton Shores seems to have descended into tilting at wind- mills. Not much seems to he getting accomplished. Instead the administration staff is asked to write reports on just about every issue. 1 understand that previously Sewer plaster plans were developed for Grand Bend and West Bosan- quet, a Draft Official Plan, A road Needs Study, A Recrea- tion and Leisure Study, a Beach Study and a Community Improvement Plan (all with specific recommendations for Council's attention) had been prepared. 'These plans should have been prioritized, commu- nity feedback obtained, spe- cific actions noted in an •;updated strategic document and a long-range capital plan developed. 'lite administration staff could have gone to work preparing detailed packages for the mayor and councillors so that other levels of govern- ment could be approached for funding. Established partner- ships could then have been activated so that I.aillbton Shores could rest assured that economic growth would hap- pen for the betterment of the entire community. Instead this council seems to react to every interest group, it seems to immobilize obilize itself in endless procedural debates, and it seems to tear apart much of what went before. 'This is what 1,ambton Shores council should be doing instead of tilt- ing at windmills. Is this all rate- payers can expect from the "new direction" that was lauded as the reason for firing the (:AO? Hiring Nigel Bellchanlber as a consultant to find a new (:AO is one time the council seems to have agreed to listen to the services of an expert. 'the ad in the papers for applicants for the position describes a list of qualities that are desired in a CAO. Remarkably it describes the very qualities the last one had. It's too bad so much money had to be spent to get back to the starting line. This seems like a clear example of attacking an imaginary enemy. The last couple of meetings have involved the never-end- ing topic of meeting times. A second lengthy discussion on whether or not meetings should be held during the day or evening (accompanied by the usual grandstanding of some councillors) was held. One would think that in the third year of this council term these procedures should have been stayed long ago. A defi- nite time waster Meeting procedures- a never-ending topic- managed to waste considerable time as the council talked about letters sent to the mayor and council. '1'o publish or not to publish the letters? Who gets to decide this pressing issue? Like wind- mill blades round and round the discussion spun. 'there was a concern voiced by one councillor regarding the staff's well being and their attendance at night meetings. Was this councillor (after at least more than two years in the job) not aware that staff is not paid overtime because ' attendance at night meetings is part of their job descriptions (at least for senior staff). Now 1 read that two councillors are investigating the Employment Standards Act re:staff attend- ing night meetings. isn't that the role of the Mayor and (:AO and the municipality's lawyer? More time wasted trying to slay another windmill. One councillor has become very concerned about the pub- lic bullying of staff. The coun- cillor felt the council had a duty to protect staff in the council chambers. Yes, there scenes to he a lot of bullying in the chamber but shouldn't the tilting be directed at the real perpetrators of the bullying? Tilting, but this time maybe directed against the wrong windmill? 'the council still seems to want to use council time to support the anti -cell phone tower residents of Port Franks. The tower is up. It's the Federal government's responsibility. The anti -tower protesters should be directed to talk to Bev Shipley the Federal Mem- ber of Parliament. We get it. Sotne people are sensitive to electro -magnetic energy. It's the Feds fault so let the feds solve it. 1 don't think even Don Quixote would take on that windmill. Water line arguments con- tinue. The Deputy Mayor seems to keep fighting water- line hook up policy. At the March 18 meeting she fought a cause that was not even upset- ting the person who was being asked to hook up to the water- line. That seems to lw tilting at an old windmill and a real time waster A harbour committee is being formed seemingly to deal with the problems associ- ated with the record low level of Lake Huron that is affecting pleasure craft using the har- bours. A lengthy debate was held on the clerk's report 011 Rs formation. Looks like the result will be the same model as the Ad I loc sewer. and the Eco- nomic Development Commit- tees. No technical expertise was discussed and 110 staff was considered other than for cleri- cal duties. It is proper to have community feedback and it seems there will he plenty of that. Could not a small steering committee led by the mayor or a councillor working in concert with the (:AO and senior staff and other technical expertise along with periodic consulta- tions With the public save time and lead to an appropriate solution to the current prob- lems with the harbours? Is this how the Deputy Mayor sees the council's role when she declared that 1111' Council blamed to move in it "nets direction" (at the time of the firing oldie CAO)? Time is running out for this Council to get its act together and focus on the important issue's facing Lalnhton Short's. Respectfully Yours Eric Shafer Tb the Editor, Canadian Jr. National Dragonboat Team is hosting a Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser with Live Entertainment on Friday April 5,2013. It will be from 5-8:30pm at the Kimball Hall, 6276 Townsend Line, Forest. Call for tickets either number 519-849-6343 or 519- 331-4329. Adult tickets $10.00 & 12 and under $5.00. Usa Soudant Grand Bend WI learned church's history Lakeshore Advance Grand Bt'nd Women's institute members were guests of the Church of God Grand Bend anti learned how this church began. Mrs. Evelyn Krueger and Charly Chilver graciously gave us an interesting oral review. Many famil- iar former minister names, such as Wutham, Beech , Campbell and 1)esjar- dint' were recalled along With their accomplishments. 'this church begun in the late 1 800's on the Shipka line, moved to Dashwood and then to the 11 - Line. The B- line location can still be seen but is now a pile of rotting wood. 1n the 1940,s the present building was erected. Several additions an(1 up- dates have been made. The interior of the church Was explained. The Church of God ladies served it delicious lunch at the conclusion of the informative session. President Donna Lovei conducted a short business meeting. Plans for the Spring Awakening April 25, 2013 to be held at the Grand Bend Legion are now completed. Our next book club meet- ing is March 28 at 2 o,clock at the Grand Bend Library. Books will be reviewed that men wouldn,t read. (deny ()Icon reported that a new Easter collection is now 011 display at the Grand Bend Library. The May display will be unique 1)111 cushions. Our next ‘Vonlen,s Institute meeting is April 18 at 1'2 o,clock. The potluck luncheon will be held at the (rand Bend Adult Center. At this meeting our "winter work projects" will be on display and articles for the Children,s I lospital Will be collected. Contact President Donna Lovie 238 8395 for more information concerning the work and social times of the Grand Bend WI branch. Bluewater Biz Question: When is the best time to plant a tree? Answer: Twenty year's ago. Blue - water is a huge advocaat' for youth entrepreneur. ism. We truly value keeping our young peo- ple in our community. So how can we help our young people to pursue their dreams and in turd grow our local econ- omy? This fall we will talks' 0111' small stern i11 that direction. The first annual Huron Business Trade Show & lob Fair will feature it "learning laboratory" for students. Local entrepreneurs will tell their stories about how they achieved success and encourage stu- dents to consider starting their own businesses. Entrepreneurs know that they think differently. That ca111 cause them to Withdraw to exper- iment 1Vit11 their business ideas on their own. 'l'he learning laboratory Will Provide a Place for Poring entr'eprene'urs to gather and interact with adult entrepreneurs. "'hey can feed off each others energy and maybe even make plans to launch their own business. I law do you grow entrepreneurs'? You start by planting it see(,. •Ibis Octo- ber the will plant it lot of seeds its Itlut'water. Fot more info, illation about the I !aeon Business 'Trade Show & log) Fair please contact Mark Cassidy, (:oordinator of Economic 1)evelopnlent 519 23(i-4351 ext. 239 or nl.cassitlyo totvll.hlut'water. ansa. Bluewater Biz Mark Cassidy