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The Times Advocate, 2007-08-15, Page 25Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Times–Advocate 25 South Huron looks at events planner By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — The municipality is considering the idea of helping to fund the hiring of an events plan- ner for the area on a one-year contract basis. The idea stems from a presentation from South Huron Chamber of Commerce president Hugh McMaster, who spoke at Monday night's council meet- ing. If hired on a contract basis, the events planner would be paid $300 a week plus commission on events he/she plans. Under McMaster's proposal, the Municipality of South Huron would kick in $200 a week, and the Chamber would pay $100 a week. McMaster said he hopes over one year the position will be self funding. The events planner would organize, manage and execute events for South Huron representing the municipality, the Chamber and the Exeter Business Association (EBA). While McMaster said the EBA is in favour of hiring an events planner, it is not paying any money towards the position. After discussing McMaster's proposal, Deputy Mayor George Robertson suggested councillors ask members of the public what they think of the idea, so council can further discuss the issue at its Aug. 27 communications meeting before making a decision at a future council meeting. The rest of council agreed with Robertson. McMaster said possible events a planner could orga- nize for South Huron include: a golf day, an auto show, a spring garden show and a market garden in the summer. This individual could also help with the orga- nization of current events like the Exeter Rodeo. An events planner could also develop an economic development information package for distribution to people and companies making inquiries about the area. McMaster said the sale of Huron Park has been posi- tive for the community and the public likes what is going on here, but South Huron needs to build on that momentum and look at economic development. McMaster said the events planner would work at the Chamber office and out of his/her home. Answering a question from Robertson, McMaster said the person would represent the whole community, not just Exeter. Councillors such as Tom Tomes and Jim Dietrich raised concerns about the fact the events planner would be working on commission and wondered if that person would take money away from existing events such as the Canada Day fireworks and the Exeter Rodeo. McMaster said the individual would only be used for existing events if he/she was asked. Also, the individ- ual will go out and get spon- sors for events. Other concerns were the possibility of a reduction in volunteerism in the commu- nity if a person is hired. Conn. Pete Armstrong said he is in favour with the "theo- ry" of an events planner, but said it needs to be "fine- tuned" and he wants the municipality in on the hiring process. Of hiring such a person, Mayor Ken Oke said, "I'm all in favour it it," adding an individual is needed to orga- nize local events. Oke said after the one-year contract is up, the municipality will know whether or not the idea is working and whether it should continue. Other council notes: Cash for medical recruitment Council voted in favour of a request from South Huron Medical Recruitment committee member Fred Simmons to donate $2,000 per year towards that com- mittee. The municipality will give $2,000 annually in 2008, 2009 and 2010 for a total of $6,000. Simmons said it has been difficult for the committee to continually raise money. He said the committee has been active and brought a doctor here to tour the area as recently as last week. "We're a very low budget committee," Simmons said, adding the committee maximizes the resources it has. He added the committee's best resources are the community's current doctors, who have actively been trying to attract new doctors to the area. "Their support is phenomenal," Simmons said, also giving credit to South Huron Hospital and its board for their support and for putting in place a good work environment at the hospital. In addition to touring doctors in South Huron in an effort to have them relocate here, the Medical Recruitment committee attends recruitment fairs. Council agreed to provide the $2,000 annual funding to the committee, with Oke saying council feels it has an obligation towards doctor recruitment. In Tight of the ongoing construction in Crediton surrounding the sewer project,Tom Tomes said he has concerns about the quality of the roads. He wants to know why the contractor, Elgin Construction, hasn't graded the roads on the weekends, leaving them in poor condition.Tomes said he understands the roads will be rough construction be graded during the week when is going on, but should before the weekend. Crediton concerns In light of the ongoing construction in Crediton surrounding the sewer project, Tomes said he has concerns about the quality of the roads. He wants to know why the contrac- tor, Elgin Construction, hasn't graded the roads on the weekends, leaving them in poor condition. Tomes said he understands the roads will be rough during the week when construction is going on, but should be graded before the weekend. He added there are potholes and the quality of the roads in Crediton "is just ridiculous." Tomes said if the contractor is looking for future work with the municipality, the company should be grading the road before the weekend starts. Oke noted the project engineer should also be ensur- ing the road is graded (KMK Consultants is the engi- neer for the project). Chief administrative officer Larry Brown said the contractor and engineer have made arrangements for the South Huron roads department to do maintenance work on the roads in Crediton and the municipality will bill the contractor for the work. Brown noted work was done on the roads in Crediton before the Civic holiday long weekend. WEEKENDER COVERAGE Bayfield NOM 1G0 755 Brucefield NOM 1J0 158 Centralia NOM 1K0 196 Crediton NOM 1M0....307 Dashwood NOM 1NO 612 Exeter NOM 1S0 2310 Grand Bend NOM 1TO 1819 Hay NOM 1W0....40 Hensall NOM 1X0 594 Huron Park NOM 1Y0 331 Kippen NOM 2E0 144 Kirkton NOK 1 KO 159 Lucan NOM 2J0 1208 Seaforth RR4 NOK 1W0 172 Staffa Town+RR2.. 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