The Citizen - October 7 2022

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• Editorials • Candidates • Fire Safety • Obituaries

The

THIS WEEK

Citizen

Huron County’s most trusted independent news source Volume 38 No. 40

Friday, October 7, 2022

$1.50 GST included

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, ON N0M 1H0

Candidates discuss the issues in NH

By Denny Scott The Citizen

An amazing race The 10th annual Great Hospital Race raised $15,000 on Saturday to help fund cardiac monitor upgrades at the Wingham and District Hospital. In the end, it was Tyler Jutzi, left, and Scott Dolmage, also known as The Burgs, who prevailed for the third year in a row. Caitlin and Ryan Fergusson of Team Ferg placed second, while Brad Robinson and Ryan Finch of Shake and Bake finished in third place. (John Stephenson photo)

North Huron’s first, and possibly only, all-candidates meeting was held on Sept. 29 at the Wingham Town Hall Theatre, hosted by the Huron County Chamber of Commerce - Goderich, Central and North Huron..

Candidates for the reeve position, East Wawanosh and Wingham council seats introduced themselves to dozens of voters through the event, and answered questions ranging from volunteer experience to plans for the North Huron Museum.

Vying for the reeve’s chair are incumbent Bernie Bailey, current Wingham Ward Councillors Paul Heffer and Trevor Seip (also the deputy-reeve) and newcomer Ranko Markeljevic.

Hoping to garner support in their bid for East Wawanosh were incumbents Chris Palmer and Anita van Hittersum and newcomer Kelly Tiffin. Those looking to claim the two Wingham Ward council chairs, which are both up for grabs with Seip and Heffer running for reeve, are Lonnie Whitfield, Mitch Wright, Stephen Hill and Stacey Boyd. Tanya Jane Williams and Amy Schiestel, who are also running to become Wingham Ward representatives, were not present for the meeting.

OPENING STATEMENTS The meeting started with opening statements from each candidate,

starting with incumbent Reeve Bernie Bailey, who said the current council was running differently from its predecessors under his leadership, highlighting development going on in all three wards. He also said that North Huron needed to continue to look inward and not subsidize other municipalities with services.

Markeljevic spoke next, highlighting his experience in legal battles with North Huron on behalf of a local Anabaptist family and in challenging the agriculture small holdings (AG4) designation. He said he wanted the municipality to stop wasting money on unnecessary legal battles and stop implementing unnecessary bylaws. He also feels the current council lacks a longterm plan to encourage growth.

Seip wants to move up from North Huron’s deputy-reeve position to reeve, and highlighted his volunteer experience as a key driver for wanting to continue to support the community. His priorities are investing in infrastructure and housing and following through on youth initiatives and strategic planning.

Heffer said the municipality needs to focus on the future with 24 per cent of its assets requiring replacement in the next decade. He said the municipality needs to streamline services and foster better relationships with neighbouring municipalities.

Among the Wingham Ward Continued on page 13

ACW candidates address ward system, meeting time

By Denny Scott The Citizen The municipality’s former ward system and its voting system were hot topics at an Ashfield-ColborneWawanosh (ACW) all-candidates meeting in St. Helens last week.

Rev. JoAnn Todd organized the event, held at the St. Helens Community Hall, which saw 10 candidates, two for deputy-mayor and eight for five councillors’ seats, try to convince the community they were what was best for the municipality.

OPENING STATEMENTS After introducing themselves and providing their background (which can be found in this week’s edition of The Citizen), candidates were able to provide a brief opening statement about what they felt they would bring to the positions.

In his opening statement, newcomer Curtis Blake criticized the price of the recently-renovated Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh municipal office, said the abolishment of the ward system

hurt communication with the municipality, and said that too many issues were “being pushed through” without council giving time for feedback from ratepayers.

He said that transparency is an issue and that residents were being “force-fed” information the council saw fit to provide.

Incumbent Gloria Fisher defended the decision to go wardless, saying that studies have proven that at-large council spend 13 to 16 per cent less than municipalities that use wards. She said she was against electronic voting and interested in pushing the county and province on allowing smaller parcels of agricultural lands and said the municipality needs to focus on health care and internet, while keeping taxation in check.

Incumbent Wayne Forster said he wanted to keep ACW’s taxes low, saying it had the lowest tax rate in Huron County, and said that internet accessibility is a problem, especially in the West Wawanosh Ward. He also highlighted the need

for safety on the roads in agricultural communities.

Newcomer Evan Hickey said he wanted to take the municipality “back to basics” and focus on common sense. He said the current council spent too much time and

effort worrying about development and adding more residential units.

He said that basic maintenance like infrastructure and grass cutting were a priority, and that council spending needs to be curtailed, citing a significant surplus in last

year’s budgets. Hickey also criticized ACW’s daytime council meetings, saying they prevented community input.

Peter McKee, also new, said he wanted to focus on having smaller Continued on page 20

Ironmen’s Golley earns shutout

By Denny Scott The Citizen The Wingham Ironmen turned around a three-game losing streak over the weekend beating the Goderich Flyers 4-0 in Wingham.

On Friday, Sept. 30, the Ironmen hosted the Flyers, marking Wingham’s fifth season game and its fourth consecutive home game.

The Ironmen locked down the Flyers, outshooting Goderich 38 to 24 and putting points on the scoreboard in every period.

Noah Wettlaufer opened the scoring for the Ironmen in the first period with his first of the season,

assisted by Austin Becker and Chase Mann. The second period saw Nate Bloemberg score his first of the season, assisted by Josh Dales and Coleson Fischer.

Two empty-net goals would seal the shutout for the Ironmen, the first by Austin Becker, assisted by Turner Mckenzie and the second by Josh Pham, his first goal of the season, assisted by Dales.

Garrett Golley got the shutout win for the Ironmen, while Liam McCarthy stopped 34 of 36 shots on net for Goderich.

The Flyers served 19 penalty minutes over nine infractions, while Wingham served 15 minutes over seven infractions.

Goderich’s Riley Kuepfer saw the penalty box first with a two-minute high-sticking call. He was followed by teammate Bryce Lee, who served two minutes for roughing.

During the same stoppage, Wingham’s Nigel Kreager was assessed two minutes for boarding.

Goderich’s Riley Good was the next to serve time, taking a twominute head contact penalty.

Fellow Flyer Payten Wheeler was next with a five-minute major for fighting and a gross misconduct. At the same time, Wingham’s Josh Dales was called for high sticking (two minutes) while Kreager was called for fighting (a five-minute Continued on page 28

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

Vigilance needed for cold, flu, COVID-19 A NOTE FROM BETTY

By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231

Running for Terry With some students marking the Terry Fox Run late last month, like these youngsters from North Woods Elementary School, and others marking it this week, like Maitland River Elementary School in Wingham, everyone is doing their part to raise money for cancer research and to remember a great Canadian hero. (Photo submitted)

The glow of October is here. The golden colours of the trees and weeds, the golden fields when the corn is harvested, as well, the glow on the faces of the gardeners cleaning up the beauty of the beds – the beauty of autumn is evident.

As we move in anticipation to Thanksgiving weekend, be sure to stop and say out loud the many things you are thankful for this week. We’ll assume you love your family, so think harder than that.

Without even watching the news, life details come to mind and the ease that our lives flow along is humbling. No polluted water, no flood or fire, no guns in the streets or bombs to our houses. Oh yes, give thanks.

Please be vigilant when in close quarters with others. We’re in cold and flu season, then toss a little COVID into the air at the same time and we have germs and viruses galore. If in doubt, wear your mask, so keep one in your pocket for your protection. Then, if you do get sick,

stay home, to keep the spread of all the bugs to a minimum.

The leaves are starting to change colour. One of the great things about our area is the bounty of trees.

Even with the price of gas, it’s worth a drive to view nature at her finest. Our variety of trees and the expanse of bush in several areas of the county are a sight to behold.

Everyone has a favourite road for an autumn tree viewing drive, so ask around and check a new one, beauty at its finest.

To have an old friend from the 1990s is a blessing and while writing this Marjorie called. Within a minute we were laughing, the joy of knowing someone well lets down all barriers and words flow. We had lunch in 2018 and chatted once since, but time fell away, news was shared, a lunch date set and all is well in the world.

Take care of yourself.

Bye now, Betty G.W

At the Branch

Sandra’s soup to benefit branch programs

By Jo-Ann McDonald The week at the Brussels Legion Branch began with the Lions meeting Monday and then Cadets on Tuesday evening. The Brussels Cadet Corp is in rebuilding mode and would love to have more youth between the ages of 12 and 19 come out and join the Corp. The best part is that it is free. They meet Tuesday evenings from 6:30- 9 p.m. They learn a variety of activities during their training. They also learn independence, confidence, leadership skills, problem solving, first aid and CPR.Come out any Tuesday evening and meet the Officers and see what Cadets are about.

Tuesday evening, before the general meeting, the executive members welcomed representatives of the Inspiring our Future Campaign for the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre to the Branch. They were Joe Seili, Doug McArter and Steve and Marni Knight. The Brussels Branch 218 donated $25,000 to the campaign from the Catch the Ace account. We are pleased to be able to help our community through the funds raised from the Catch the Ace draw.

Ace committee and executive members were present, including Eric Ross, Jo-Ann McDonald, Sandra Brown, Kathy Burkholder, Judy Lee, Lisa Glanville, Nancy Bridge and Nanci Ducharme.

Following the presentation, the general meeting was held at 7 p.m.

Comrade Jo-Ann McDonald, pastpresident, filled in for the absent President Jamie Mitchell. Highlights of the meeting included the treasurer’s report and that all books for the year-end are done and ready for zone inspection. The financial committee will now meet to approve them. The early bird membership

draw is on. Pay your membership at the $50 rate and your name goes into a draw to win your next year’s membership. There are draws in September, October and November.

Drop in today and pay, e-transfer or mail your dues to the Branch.

The patio was well used over the summer, but the time is coming to close it down. Fish fry dinners are over and the fryers have been cleaned up and put away for the winter.

A few projects for the house committee are on the agenda and Deb and Eric will organize the proper tools needed.

The Remembrance Day campaign will begin at the end of October, with hopes there will be a door-to-door campaign again. We have been notified that Smart Serve certificates will expire in the spring.

They will need to be updated and it can be done on the computer and it takes about four or five hours to complete. Contact Sandra for the

information so you can continue to bartend at the Branch. Your costs will be covered.

The Catch the Ace draw on Friday evening had Kim Clark as the lucky weekly winner. She chose to have envelope number 41 opened and found the jack of hearts. She won $164 and the estimated jackpot for next week could be $2,000. Get your tickets at Brussels Pharmacy, Brussels Variety, McDonald Lumber or the Brussels Legion.

The pub grub for Friday night was chicken fingers and fries. This week there will be no pub grub dinner, as it is Thanksgiving weekend and everyone will be getting stuffed with turkey!

Karaoke had to be cancelled due to Stubby D being ill. It will return at the end of October and it will be Halloween pub night. Dress up and drop in and have some fun. Mark your calendar today!

Sandra’s soup for a cause is back.

They are frozen packaged

homemade soups and a portion of the sales goes to either veteran’s programs, youth programs or the building fund.

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS

Brussels Legion 218 Catch the Ace Weekly Winner Winning Ticket: Kim Clark $164 Envelope #41 found the Jack of Hearts Estimated jackpot for October 7 is $2,000

The Citizen will be closed Monday, October 10 for Thanksgiving Deadlines will be

Tuesday, October 11 2 pm for the October 14 paper

Beauty Rein Breitmaier says it’s images like this, looking east from the Hanna Bridge in Wingham, that keep him walking to work every day. (Photo courtesy of Rein Breitmaier)

405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792

info@northhuron.on.ca

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022. PAGE 3.

Festival faced challenges, found success: Garratt period, which is good news, but that cancellations like the one the Festival had to announce are sure to become more commonplace with COVID-19 continuing to circulate.

He said the Festival is planning to make it part of the 2023 season after it premieres at Toronto’s Factory Theatre later this year, but that has yet to be confirmed.

Garratt said the Festival staff is still in the midst of planning for next year’s season, which will be presented to the board of directors for approval later this year and announced thereafter.

While nothing has been finalized, he says he’s hoping the Festival can produce shows both at the Harvest Stage and Memorial Hall in what he says will be a “substantial” season.

He added that, if all goes according to plan, he and his team are hoping to bring something very big to the Harvest Stage in 2023 that is sure to

interest audience members from both far and wide.

NEWS FROM BLYTH

What would you ask for?

(Joseph Alleine, “Alarm to the Unconverted”) “That night God appeared to Solomon in a dream and said: What do you want?

Ask, and I will give it to you!” 2 Chronicles 1:7

New and tried classics With a good mix of what has succeeded before, like The Drawer Boy, and some shows that have never been on any Blyth Festival stage before, like John Ware Reimagined, shown above, Blyth Festival Artistic Director Gil Garratt says the Festival’s 2022 season was able to succeed despite the challenges of COVID-19, including only using its new outdoor Harvest Stage and having to cancel one play due to illness. (Terry Manzo photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen While the 2022 Blyth Festival season was not without its challenges, Artistic Director Gil Garratt says he’s proud of what the Festival was able to accomplish and he’s looking forward to a big year in 2023.

The season went ahead entirely outdoors, at the Harvest Stage, located at the northwest corner of the Blyth Campground. Three of the four scheduled productions had full runs or better, while Marie Beath Badian’s The Waltz, the third show of the season, had to be cancelled due to illness within the company and lost preparation time.

This came after the 2021 season, which included five one-person shows, all produced outdoors on the Harvest Stage, which Garratt says was a miracle in itself. The focus in 2021, he said, was really on the basics of storytelling, with the Festival accomplishing what it did with a skeleton crew. He says that, after being able to produce a season at a time when the majority of

theatres weren’t able to do so, it was nice to expand the Festival’s offerings this year.

While the season remained outside, Garratt said the Festival was able to scale up its productions with full casts and higher production values at the Harvest Stage, bringing in musicians for two of the three shows. That can be said for even the light and sound design of the shows, he said.

Beginning the season with The Drawer Boy, a show near and dear to his heart, was a special experience, Garratt said. Having it outdoors, under the night sky, with the ability to see the second floor of the house and a real tractor made for a unique theatre experience, Garratt said. Playwright Michael Healey backed this up, Garratt said, when he came and saw the play, comparing it to seeing the “little, tiny” farmhouse in the centre of the stage when the play was produced at Toronto’s Winter Garden Theatre.

The second show of the season, Drew Hayden Taylor’s Cottagers and Indians, was another wonderful addition to the season, Garratt said,

that not only entertained audiences, but pushed them as well.

The fact that the Festival was able to add some performances was a boon for the Festival, Garratt said.

Garratt says he was also proud of being able to use original artwork produced by an artist he met from Kettle and Stony Point when the Festival was working to produce Ipperwash years ago. The prints were produced at Blyth Printing and Garratt said that Ken Whitmore and Steve Dawe from Blyth Printing visited the stage one day and were blown away by how the art looked on the set.

As for John Ware Reimagined, the final show of the season, Garratt said it was a magical production and it was nice to bring a band in to produce music for the show as well.

He said the show was so original and the inclusion of roots music that sounded great in the natural amphitheatre of the Harvest Stage really capped off the experience.

As for The Waltz, Garratt said that all of the members of the cast and crew have since recovered from their illness during the rehearsal

‘Smile’ event to start at church From Marilyn’s Desk

By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318

Happy birthday to Christa Haggitt who will celebrate Oct. 8; Gord Haggitt and Jeffery Walden, both on Oct. 9 and Kyle Martin, Gowanstown, Oct. 12. Hope everyone has a good day on their special day.

If you are looking for something to do this coming week, take a drive through Huron County and enjoy Mother Nature at her best. The leaves are changing colour and the bushes are in their very best colour.

I took a drive last week through the area and I think I was a little too early for most of the coloured leaves. This year, the reds, yellows and oranges are showing up in all their splendour. When I drove into town from Dinsley Street east, I could see the beautiful hues all along the street.

Here is something else you might be interested in, Trinity Anglian Church is starting a Monday Morning Smile on Monday, Oct. 17 between 10 and 11:30 a.m. This will be a drop-in coffee and a visit with your friends and neighbours.

Come out and enjoy the fun.

Blyth United Church is having a drive-through traditional fall supper of roast beef on Saturday Oct. 15.

You can also mark your calendar for Nov. 10 for a drive-through lasagna lunch and supper.

BLYTH UNITED CHURCH Blyth United Church celebrated

Worldwide Communion on Sunday, Oct. 2. Student minister Alex Jebson, was in charge of the service with the assistance of Emily Phillips.

Emily read the scriptures from 2Timothy 1:1-14, Psalm 137, and Luke 17:3-10. The choir sang the anthem, “Oh for a Thousand Voices.” Emily thanked the choir for their ministry of music.

The sermon was the story of how Worldwide Communion came about. It was started in 1953 when all churches no matter what denomination had communion together on the same Sunday. It is a time to reflect and to think of why God is calling us to serve.

Alex invited everyone to participate in communion by inviting the congregation to serve themselves from the table prepared at the front of the church.

If God would give you your choice, as He did to Solomon—what would you ask for?

Go into the gardens of pleasure, and gather all the fragrant flowers there— would these satisfy you?

Go to the treasures of wealth — suppose you may carry away as much as you desire.

Go to the towers, to the trophies of honour — and become a man of renown.

Would any of these, would all of these satisfy you, and make you to count yourself happy? If so, then certainly you are carnal and unconverted.

Converting grace turns the heart from its idols—to the living God. Before conversion, the man minded his farm, friends, pleasures more than Christ. He found more sweetness in his merry company, worldly amusements, earthly delights—than in Christ. Now he says, “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ!”

Philippians 3:7-8 A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-492-1359

PRINTING IS OUR BUSINESS • Colour • Business Printing Forms • Posters • Brochures • Letterheads • Flyers • Envelopes • Carbonless • Business Forms Cards • Labels WE CAN DO IT ALL!

BLYTH PRINTING INC. BLYTH 523-9211

PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

Editorials & Opinions

Founding Publisher: Keith Roulston Publisher & President: Deb Sholdice Editor: Shawn Loughlin • Reporter: Denny Scott Advertising Sales: Brenda Nyveld

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The first draft of history This week we are marking National Newspaper Week (Oct. 3-8), a time when those in the newspaper business advocate for our industry. In an increasing digital world, our media (a physical paper) may be becoming anachronistic, but the role of the newspaper remains an important chronicle of life in our communities.

One of the most-used resources in the area is the digitized newspapers website hosted by the Huron County Museum. Researchers, genealogists, historians and families have found them to be an invaluable resource. In their pages are the lives of the men, women and children of our community over generations. Births, deaths, marriages and other milestones are preserved for posterity. Stories about local politics and businesses are searchable back to the beginning of colonization and settlement in our area. Local crimes and mysteries are kept alive as long as both the physical copies and the digitized versions are maintained in the archives. The key to all of these stories is that there was a publisher, editor and reporter, along with production staff, to create an accurate and thoughtful account of the day. As our community newspapers are gradually replaced with social media, we are losing the accuracy and thoughtfulness of a trained and paid journalist and a watchful editor.

If Facebook and Instagram should survive into the next century, how much of the content can be trusted? Will it become the history that future generations study? Even now, much of the most reliable content is created by news outlets and then shared. As those news outlets (especially local and community-based media) dwindle when they can no longer generate enough revenue to pay staff to research and write the stories, what will our records look like for future generations of researchers and historians? – DS

Much ado about nothing Late last month, the provincial government’s cases against former MP Derek Sloan, former MPP Randy Hillier and controversial pastor Henry Hildebrandt were resolved, for better or worse, when the government declined to pursue charges any further against the three men, who had been accused of violating public health orders last year.

The charges are technically stayed, meaning the case is dropped, though the Crown can bring those charges back within a year.

The men were charged with violating public health orders in June of 2021. This came as a result of them all attending indoor church services at Hildebrandt’s Church of God in Aylmer that violated capacity limits and limits on indoor gatherings. Oddly, Kristen Nagle, a former nurse in London, was fined $10,000 for similar offences. She attended the same gatherings as the other men, who had their charges dropped.

While opinions clearly diverge on government measures intended to limit the spread of COVID-19 last year, from a justice perspective, dropping charges against some of the highest-profile people defying public health measures in the midst of a pandemic could have dire repercussions down the road. If the provincial government has no interest in pursuing charges against ringleaders like Sloan, Hildebrandt and Hillier, there is no reason for anyone else to fear consequences down the road when we face the next public health crisis.

The Reopening Ontario Act didn’t have many fans, but most people begrudgingly did their part to limit the spread of a potentially deadly virus. Those who didn’t, while so many others sacrificed, did nothing to help Ontarians and seeing them walk away from valid charges is sure to leave a bad taste in the mouths of many. – SL

Get informed, get voting The time to vote in the 2022 municipal election is nearly upon us and residents need to be prepared to decide who they want representing them in local politics. While some may feel that local politics pale in comparison to the more theatrical and dramatic provincial and federal elections, the truth is that municipal councils impact individuals in their communities as much, if not more, than our members of parliament.

Despite that, many people will cast their vote with little knowledge of the people for whom they are voting. Whether it’s their local councillors or their school board representatives, some people will undoubtedly pick the names they know and guess on the rest because they didn’t ask the right questions ahead of time. While it’s easy in a federal or provincial election to pick the representative for the party you support (which isn’t a great practice), in municipal elections and school board elections, we are voting for the people we trust to spend our tax dollars and represent our wards and/or municipalities.

So, as the election approaches, take every chance you get, including the pages of this and future issues of The Citizen, to get to know the people who currently represent you, the people who want to represent you and, most importantly, the people you want representing you. Don’t just vote - become informed and then vote. Four years can be a very long time with the wrong people in power – JDS

Looking Back Through the Years October 7, 1965 The Brussels Fall Fair welcomed a large crowd to the village, despite inclement weather, according to Agricultural Society President C.W. Bray. The Seaforth High School Trumpet Band and Huron-Bruce MPP Murray Gaunt officially opened the event and Robert L. Cunningham served as the master of ceremonies for the afternoon.

Ross Knight earned 85 points in the fair’s ensilage corn competition, followed closely by Leslie Knight with 83 points.

October 8, 1975 Ontario Housing officials said they still hoped to begin construction of the senior apartment project in Blyth before the coming winter. Clerk-Treasurer Larry Walsh said Ontario Housing officials hoped to meet with council before the end of the month to finalize the plans and begin construction later in the fall.

Blyth Meat Market, owned by Don and Lenore Scrimgeour, was set to re-open after being closed for two days to expand the business.

The grand opening for a new coop store in Belgrave was Oct. 1618. The official opening was set for 1 p.m. on Oct. 16, followed by entertainment, a barbecue and a concert. On Oct. 18, there was a free dance as part of the event to the music of the Moran Brothers Orchestra.

October 8, 1997 For the third year in a row, the Brussels Tigers were champions of the Huron County Fastball League.

For the first time, however, the Tigers added the Western Ontario Athletic Association grand championship title to their season as well, serving as a great capper.

At the league’s year-end banquet,

held in Seaforth, Tim Fritz was named the Tigers’ season MVP, joining Scott Leonhardt for the Walton Brewers and Greg Mulvey of the Brussels Bulldogs.

Three Brussels Legion members were honoured for their dedication to the Branch. Lloyd Glanville received a certificate of merit, while Max Oldfield was presented with his 50-year membership pin and Margaret Bennett was given a lifetime membership.

On Oct. 1, over 425 teachers and education workers gathered to protest in front of Huron MPP Helen Johns’ Exeter constituency office. The group was protesting Bill 160, which members said would remove $1 billion from the province’s education system.

October 11, 2012 Huron County Council received the triple majority it needed in a vote to reduce the number of councillors from 16 to 15, making the change official.

Six of the county’s nine lowertier municipalities voted in favour of the change. The population of those six municipalities totalled nearly 37,000 people, which was well over the threshold of 26,001 people needed for a majority vote.

Bluewater and North Huron representatives voted against the proposed change and no response was received from MorrisTurnberry.

While the change proved to be unpopular with some, others wondered why council wouldn’t follow the recommendation made

by George Cuff in his much-lauded report, which directed council to trim itself to nine members, one for each municipality.

Archie MacGowan returned as a member of North Huron Council

after a two-year hiatus. He was appointed by council after the retirement of Wingham Ward Councillor Alma Conn, who was moving out of the area.

He said that while the new council certainly had a different feel from previous councils on which he’d served, he felt there was the potential to do good and help out the community.

The Brussels Lions Club installed its executive for 2012-2013, with Paul Mutter taking over as the president, succeeding Gerry Exel.

The Blyth Business Improvement Area (BIA) expressed its frustration with a newly-passed parking bylaw for the village, limiting parking in the downtown core to two hours.

With a goal of trying to attract and retain people in the village’s downtown, the BIA went on record as thinking it was a horrible idea.

North Huron Deputy-Reeve David Riach said that while the new bylaw had been passed, he didn’t believe it would be enforced over the summer, in order to accommodate theatre-goers.

The late Fire Department of North Huron Chief John Black was honoured by Huron County Council as the county’s top firefighter.

Huron County Warden Bernie MacLellan made the presentation and a number of Black’s family members were in attendance.

Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Council had a fourth councillor declare a conflict of interest in matters pertaining to industrial wind turbines, leaving just three of its seven members to debate the issue, should it arise.

The Blyth Witches Walk was set to mark its 10th anniversary, taking over the Blyth Greenway Trail on Oct. 20.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022. PAGE 5.

Other Views

Do your bit to help democracy

I

t’s strange, but perhaps not surprising, that the choice of municipal councilors who make some of the decisions that have the biggest effect on our lives, has among the lowest participation of any election.

It’s not unusual that fewer than 50 per cent of eligible voters in a municipality turn out to vote. Of course most of the people who are eligible to vote haven’t a clue who is running for council, what sort of decisions they make or even how their municipality works. Heck, even some of the people running for councils don’t know what powers they will have if they are elected.

Before I get all frustrated with the ignorance of the voters I need to remember how little I knew about the realm of municipal councils before I began covering councils as a young summer-replacement reporter for the late A.Y. McLean at the Huron Expositor in Seaforth. He sent me to cover the Tuckersmith Township Council meeting and I had no clue what I was getting into. Even though I had grown up in a rural township north of Lucknow, I didn’t really know what local municipalities did. We knew to blame township council if the road remained blocked after a winter storm or expect a tax increase if a new township grader went by, but other than that, we (or at least I) lived in ignorance.

Those first few township council meetings I covered began a long education where, as a local newspaper reporter and (later) editor, I began to see firsthand what municipal councillors did. I saw that job change as the number of municipalities shrunk through municipal amalgamation and grow as the province shifted more responsibilities to municipalities and citizens asked their local councillors to take on new tasks. Arenas, for instance, went from being almost afterthoughts

Keith Roulston From the cluttered desk in the early 1970s to major expenses in the 1980s.

But at the same time as municipal councillors control more and more of the important things of our lives, like roads, arenas and municipallyowned buildings, there are fewer elected people involved in the decision-making process, and often we may not even know them. Also, unfortunately, people in many areas know less about what they’re doing since younger people often stopped subscribing to, and reading, local newspapers. Faced with that situation, newspapers often reduced staff and stopped covering municipal councils and school boards. People became more ignorant about what their municipality can do and how decisions are made.

An editorial in last week’s Citizen pointed out that nearly 140 mayors or reeves in Ontario have been acclaimed to their posts for the next term, up from 118 in the 2018 election and 104 in 2014. If this keeps up, the province, which controls municipalities, will probably declare a new “solution” by reducing the number of municipalities. If you want to see if that works, I dare you to name your local school board trustee, now that over my lifetime we’ve gone from a board for every one-room country school to one board per county and now one for every two counties.

Meanwhile, we have more municipal staff than ever before in rural municipalities,

whether it be at the local or county (or regional) level. I remember, for instance, when land-use planning was just beginning in Huron and the entire planning staff consisted of two people. It’s part of the modern reality of life now and there’s a larger staff – as there are in all local government offices.

There are good things about that, but it often means that people ignore their local government until something happens they don’t like – such as the proposal for a large apartment building at the site of a former trailer park in Wingham.

Generally, we’ve become lackadaisical about our responsibilities under democracy.

As long as the bureaucrats don’t disturb our comfortable lives, we ignore politics.

But we’re seeing the cost of taking politics for granted around the world, from a former U.S. president who wants to ignore the verdict of the people to the perversion of a brief moment of democracy in Russia into a dictatorship under Vladimir Putin who leads his people into a costly, increasingly unpopular war.

The great British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said that: “democracy is the worst form of government – except for all the others that have been tried.” Modern democracy requires very little of the voter except to stay informed and vote periodically.

At the municipal level, now is the time for us to step up and play our part.

But your vote doesn’t matter, you say? I think I have voted in every municipal election except one. Wouldn’t you know it, that election ended in a tie vote with the winner being chosen by lot.

Your vote matters. Making an informed choice matters. So, do your homework and vote for your municipal leaders.

What path will CNN eventually take?

N

ews broke earlier this week that Donald Trump, in a 29-page filing, is suing CNN for nearly half a billion dollars for libel and slander claims, saying that the news network had defamed him in hopes of controlling the results of a national election.

Putting aside how apt some of CNN’s comparisons between Trump and, to pick an example, Hitler may have been, you’d have to be pretty oblivious to not realize that CNN, through its coverage, certainly did hurt his chances at re-election.

Before we get any further, I’ll throw in one of my standard disclaimers here: Donald Trump is a horrible, horrible person. He’s been recorded espousing sexual assault. He makes racist comments. He inspired an insurrection, and even if you don’t believe he did it intentionally, his incendiary, abusive rhetoric led to it. He’s a bad man - there’s no other way to describe someone who acts the way he does.

He’s also pretty creepy, but that’s just a personal take - the rest is pretty objective.

With that out of the way, I’m very interested, from both a professional and a personal standpoint, to see how this entire situation plays out. Trump’s lawyers have plenty to work with, but the outcome is far from sure.

Every reputable bias measuring system out there says CNN has as a left-wing lean, while some have it on the extreme left wing of the political spectrum. CNN, through its cable network, has also had some hosts unapologetically go after Trump in their editorial segments. Does the network’s identifiable bias mean it went out of its way to damage Trump’s standing? Well that’s for the courts to decide I guess.

Trump complains, in the lawsuit, that CNN has applied several offensive labels. The network has called him a racist (which has been proven through his own comments, The

Denny Scott Denny’s Den Atlantic has a great piece detailing his and his father’s history of racist behaviour from not wanting to rent to BIPOC individuals in the 1970s to his birther rhetoric, where he relentlessly questioned President Barack Obama’s nation of birth, and beyond), an insurrectionist (which is an understandable stance given being the inspiration for an attempted coup) and a Russian lackey (the jury may still be out on that one). CNN also compared him, as I said above, to Hitler.

That last one is a bit murky. While the internet claims that he admires Adolf and loves his book Mein Kampf, Trump refutes it and there’s no evidence to support him reading or owning the book. The only tangible evidence connecting Trump to the man who set the world ablaze (before Trump himself) is Trump’s late ex-wife Ivana saying he kept a copy of a book containing Hitler’s speeches at his bedside, which Trump has also refuted.

However, one could understandably see the connection between the two: Hitler rallied his people with thoughts of war and pointed to a group of people (including, but not limited to, Jewish people, LGBTQ2S+ individuals and the Romani people) being the cause for all their woes. Trump rallied his people with thoughts of insurrection and imprisoning his enemies and pointed to a group of people (immigrants from “shithole” countries, left wing politicians and people, scientists, educated individuals and the list goes on) as

the cause for all their woes. It’s not a hard comparison to understand.

The groundwork is certainly there for Trump to claim he has been wronged, but CNN wasn’t exactly working outside the truth when it made some of those comments. The findings may end up being somewhere between where either the plaintiff or defence wants it to be.

While the trial, if there is one, will undoubtedly be incredible to read about, I’m far more interested in how CNN will go about defending itself, if need be.

CNN’s lawyers could claim, like Fox News’s representation has, that the news and editorial shows produced by CNN are protected by the first amendment and that, at the time, they didn’t knowingly report anything that was untrue. That’s the safe bet.

All that needs to be proven is that, at the time, CNN's staff didn’t have evidence contradicting the stories or labels they used. It’s a bit sketchy from a moral standpoint, but when have legal proceedings ever hinged on what was moral and right? Professionally, I can see that being the way CNN’s lawyers go.

Personally, however, if the case goes to trial, I hope that CNN, through its lawyers, doesn’t back down and says that every single analogy was apt. Why? Well, first, like I said, Trump is not a good person. Secondly, however, I’d like to see how that plays out and maybe, just maybe, set a standard where horrible people can be called such without fear of financial reprisal. Wouldn’t that be a great world to live in?

Final Thought People who know little are usually great talkers, while men who know much say little.

– Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

Behind the curtain very four years, The Citizen does its best to inform its dear readers ahead of the year’s municipal election. By way of candidate profiles, all-candidates meeting coverage and more, we spend late nights and early mornings so you have everything you need before casting your vote.

There is a lot that makes it onto the page.

Candidates make promises, they debate issues, they laud or decry the work of the previous term of council (largely depending on if they were a member of that council or not) and they show the public a little about themselves.

What doesn’t make it onto the page are the little interactions I have with the candidates in one way or another as we all hurtle towards election day. Of course, there’s no place for such things, but I always feel like I learn a lot about the candidates (whether I can vote for them or not) as we do our work ahead of the opening of the voting window.

As a journalist who communicates with people for a living, there are a few things that I have made a priority in my professional life.

One of them is attention to detail. So, when I e-mail someone, I make sure I have my facts straight, I double-check the spelling of their name and their title and I very often reread an e-mail before I send it. In the age of Twitter, Facebook, the internet and people reading acceptance speeches off of their phones at awards shows, those kinds of things may no longer be important, but to me, they are.

Receiving a professional e-mail that’s properly addressed, free of spelling mistakes and gets to the point in short order is a luxury, maybe, but to me, it shows that someone is serious and has taken their time on the e-mail. In short, it shows me that someone is serious about whatever’s being discussed, whether it be a municipal election, a story or something else.

Let me tell you, the variations of my name that come in every year are enough to send me into an identity crisis spiral. Most of the time it’s my first name that’s misspelled, but I have had candidates go 0-2 and boy, when people get into the weeds on my last name, things can get pretty messy. I get it. In a world that might be on the brink of World War III, spelling someone’s name right might not be the most important thing, but to me it shows a level of professionalism that should be present if you’re serious about something.

The second thing I learn is who can follow direction. You could argue this is something that is vital to being a municipal councillor.

For our candidate profiles, I asked three simple questions, accompanied by a very clear deadline and word count. Of course, I’ll never tell who can make deadline or who can stay on a word count and who thinks they’re too important or impressive for a word count, but I know and those are personality traits that I, as a journalist and voter, find important.

Then there are the in-person interactions. As one of the few people who actually attend allcandidates meetings in person (these meetings, often, are not very well attended) I am able to see how candidates interact with one another and with members of the public. Who’s kind?

Who’s aggressive? Who’s conscientious?

Who’s dismissive? Who debates with respect?

I see all these things for myself, but they’re very hard to communicate in a written story without sounding as if I’m editorializing (injecting my opinion into the story, rather than simply reporting the facts), but they are those intangibles like a candidate looking you in the eye or a candidate’s handshake that teach you more about someone than any election guide ever will.

E

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

ELECTION 2022 Four to vie for North Huron Reeve position BERNIE BAILEY Bernie Bailey is running for the position of reeve of North Huron.

Bernie is currently the reeve and he says he’s just beginning to enjoy the benefits of an extensive renovation at his home in Wingham, where he lives with his wife Angela, the principal of Maitland River Elementary School. They have two grown children with families of their own and Bernie is the proud grandfather of five.

When not working as the reeve, Bernie says he is busy with his small business, The Appliance Doctor, spending time with his family or playing golf.

Before becoming involved with council, Bernie was the owner of SunRise Dairy and a supporter of many community initiatives.

He successfully ran for council in 2010 and during his term he says he worked hard to keep taxes low. In 2016, Bernie was a volunteer for the Wingham and District Hospital Foundation for the Our Hospital, Our Future campaign, raising $1.1 million for the project.

After being elected reeve in 2018, Bernie says he feels there is volunteer work involved in the position. After the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Bernie says he ensured vaccination clinics would be available in North Huron and volunteered at all of them. He and his wife have also worked to support the school and its community, adding that he has his finger on the pulse of the needs of families in the community and devotes much time to address them.

Bernie says the two key issues facing North Huron are tax rates and water rates, both of which need to be kept at bay.

To address those concerns, Bernie says he’s working to add to the tax base, which has been needed for years, through housing developments in all three wards.

He also says he’s holding his ground in regards to Morris-Turnberry, saying the neighbouring municipality needs to pay its fair share of the services provided to it by North Huron. Bernie says the township can no longer afford to permit hit-and-miss financial support from Morris-Turnberry because the cost of doing business is too high for North Huron to pay on its own. He says it’s not a fight, but it’s about Morris-Turnberry being neighbourly in return. That municipality needs to show appreciation for the services provided by North Huron, he said, such as day care, recreation, fire protection, water, sewage and more. North Huron has all the responsibility, he said, which is something he cannot say enough.

PAUL HEFFER Paul Heffer is running for the position of reeve in North Huron.

Paul has lived in Wingham with his wife Gail for 42 years, raising their three daughters there.

As a Wingham Ward Councillor in North Huron, Paul has chaired the museum committee and sat on the source water protection and Alice Munro committees.

He has worked in the agricultural service sector for 37 years in Huron County and is still actively involved in his family farm. He has also coached and refereed minor sports for a number of years and he currently assists the Wingham Horticultural Society and the Wingham Trail Committee.

Paul says North Huron needs to better prepare for future asset management. In the next 10 years, 24 per cent of the township’s assets need to be replaced or upgraded. He says the township also needs to streamline services and find efficiencies in order to contribute to its future needs.

As a small municipality, Paul says North Huron needs to foster better working relationships with neighbouring municipalities and work collaboratively whenever possible.

Paul says he’s confident that his experience in the community and the relationships he’s forged make him the best choice for reeve of North Huron and he hopes to serve residents to the best of his ability.

RANKO MARKELJEVIC Ranko Markeljevic is running for the position of reeve of North Huron.

Ranko was born and raised in the former Yugoslavia, where he became involved in politics until he said he learned that the corruption in the system couldn’t be eradicated from within. He said that everyone he met who was in a position to make a difference was party to said corruption.

In 2018 in Huron County, Ranko says he joined a group of people defending an Amish family from prosecution. In what he says was payback, the township charged him under a “nonexistent” section of the provincial statute. He was charged again this year after complaining that the township’s building department didn’t follow the bylaw under which he had been charged. He says the cases are now in front of the Superior Court of Justice.

Ranko also says he worked with John Schwartzentruber of Morris-Turnberry to end abuse of the AG-4 zoning section and abuse of provincial law against a family in Huron East.

Government exists because of the people, not the other way around, Ranko says. His goal is to eliminate corrupt and unlawful practices to the point of criminal prosecution. To achieve that, Ranko says he will need to expose abuse of provincial laws, which should save public funds from being wasted on unnecessary legal costs from bullying and abusing people’s lawful rights. He also says that he cannot support lazy, incompetent or corrupt council members being paid public funds.

He also hopes to establish transparency and accountability through inclusivity and open dialogue, especially with those with critical or differing views. Ranko added that publishing a draft council meeting agenda a week earlier than now would give those wishing to make a presentation on an item the opportunity to do so.

TREVOR SEIP Trevor Seip is running for the position of reeve in North Huron.

Trevor has been an active member of the community for more than 20 years. His wife Tiffany and their daughters Zoe (nine) and Harper (six) are the most important things in his life. He says he and his family are small-town people who want to ensure families similar to them have a bright future full of potential for their children to grow up within North Huron.

Trevor says he wants to find a respectful way to provide leadership to council and staff, ensuring that councillors and staff are effective and efficient and ensure there is accountability in those roles.

He says he can provide an open-minded and respectful approach that council needs while partnering with neighbouring municipalities, adding that being a leader of a municipality is about the accomplishments of council and the township, not individual accomplishments.

Trevor has served one term as councillor and one as deputy-reeve and works as a bookkeeping manager at a local chartered accounting firm. He is the owner and operator of a bookkeeping and consulting business, a past controller for a local door manufacturer and a financial analyst for a local auto parts manufacturer.

Trevor has over 25 years of business and financial experience, he’s a past member of the Listowel Wingham Hospital Alliance Board and the second vicechair and finance chair of the Western Ontario Athletic Association and a past member of the board of directors. He was the finance chair of the 2014 Wingham Homecoming celebration and a Musical Muskrat Festival committee member, as well as a past referee and coach with local minor hockey and softball.

Trevor says North Huron needs to begin to re-invest in infrastructure while reviewing all municipal facilities to ensure they’re being fully utilized and to look for better ways to ensure that they are.

He says he believes in providing detailed information to residents to help people understand where their tax dollars are spent. Trevor says services need to be reviewed to ensure that efficiencies are realized and to validate the utilization of many ongoing services.

He says North Huron needs to work with the federal and provincial governments to advocate for affordable housing and policies that control inflation while working with provincial officials to ensure an adequate supply of land for development to meet current and future needs.

He also wants to advocate for youth engagement and ensure youth-oriented projects continue to develop in the community.

Palmer looks to return in East Wawanosh CHRIS PALMER Chris Palmer is running for the position of East Wawanosh Ward Councillor in North Huron.

He and his wife Donna have raised their family in the community. Their daughters, Amanda and Kristen, now have their own families and careers, while Chris and Donna have farmed in the community for 45 years. He is seeking re-election to North Huron Council due to his sense of service, saying that the township has been good to him, as a wonderful place to have a business and raise a family, and serving as a councillor is his way of giving back to North Huron.

As a councillor in North Huron, Chris says he has learned skills and embedded useful and helpful knowledge. He says he speaks up even when it’s unpopular.

With East Wawanosh being primarily agricultural, Palmer has served the agricultural community over the course of his farming career, working with agriculturally-based organizations and committees. That has given him plenty of experience, he says, and representing the East Wawanosh Ward is the best way of safeguarding the interests of rural residents, all while using common-sense thinking when making decisions.

With servicing to Hutton Heights underway and a 74-unit apartment building now under construction, Chris says those developments will go a long way to providing necessary housing in the township. He also says North Huron needs agreements with neighbouring municipalities regarding essential services.

Council needs to be fiscally responsible, Chris says, walking the tightrope of providing services, managing assets and staffing, all while keeping taxes in check.

That balancing act, he says, will be his primary focus.

The township also has millions in assets that have to be maintained. Through maintenance scheduling and priority, the township has to commit funds to tasks, but it can’t be a burden on the taxpayer, he says, but rather focusing on a little at a time.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022. PAGE 7.

ELECTION 2022

Van Hittersum looks to return, Tiffin challenges ANITA VAN HITTERSUM Anita van Hittersum is running for the position of East Wawanosh Ward Councillor in North Huron.

Anita is a current North Huron Councillor in the East Wawanosh Ward, as well as a business owner and a farmer living and working with her family in the ward. Over the years, she has held volunteer positions with the Huron Dairy Producers, the Blyth Festival, the Wingham Cancer Care Clinic and Huron Residential Hospice, to name a few.

In addition to her work as a councillor, Anita is the chair of the North Huron Economic Development and Recovery Committee, a board member for North Huron on the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, a member of the Wingham and District Hospital Physician Recruitment Committee, the municipal representative on the North Perth/North Huron Family Health Team for Morris-Turnberry, AshfieldColborne-Wawanosh, Huron-Kinloss, South Bruce and North Huron and a board member for Community Futures Huron.

As a councillor, Anita says she is always striving and committed to making East Wawanosh and North Huron a place where people want to come to work and enjoy life.

Anita says she’s very aware of the unique challenges facing rural communities and her priorities lie with protecting farmland, attracting and retaining businesses and workers, growing the tax base by supporting a variety of attainable housing and keeping the township’s hospital and arenas open by supporting efficiencies and encouraging relations with neighbours. She is also supportive of more childcare locations, to give residents a better chance to enter the work force and continue attracting young families to North Huron. The expansion of high-speed internet needs to continue in the area, she said, to help families and businesses stay informed and competitive.

Anita says she will continue to lead with kindness, perseverance and integrity, helping to make North Huron a progressive, sustainable rural community, in which people feel engaged and respected.

KELLY TIFFIN Kelly Tiffin is running for the position of East Wawanosh Ward Councillor in North Huron.

Born in Wingham and raised in Belmore, Kelly has always resided in northern Huron County. She graduated from Turnberry Central School and then moved to Wingham when she was a teen, where she graduated from F.E. Madill Secondary School.

She and her husband Mike purchased their first home on the Morris-Turnberry side of Belgrave. They have two daughters, Brooklyn and Mackenzie, and have since purchased a larger home on the East Wawanosh side of Belgrave, just prior to amalgamation, and have now been in that home for over 20 years.

Kelly has been an associate Legion member in Wingham for 30 years. She has volunteered for many community events, including the Belgrave Fowl Supper.

When her children were younger, Kelly was involved with their sports teams, coaching baseball and volunteering with the Huron Heat hockey organization and assisting with many competitive dance recitals and competitions often held in Blyth.

For 18 years, Kelly has worked for Morris-Turnberry in finance and administration, completing many workshops and municipal programs to further her career as a public servant.

Kelly feels that a key issue facing North Huron is division between three separate communities. She would like to see the township move forward and grow together as one community. She also wants to discuss the spending of tax dollars and work towards a resolution for North Huron’s high taxes, investigating how other municipalities handle the high costs of arenas, for example, with the goal of breaking even.

She says North Huron needs a council willing to make hard, yet appropriate decisions for the entire township.

Six challenge for two Wingham Ward Council seats STACEY BOYD Stacey Boyd is running for the position of Wingham Ward Councillor in North Huron.

Stacey says Wingham has been her home for the past 13 years after being raised on a dairy farm in Huron County and living in Listowel and the Atwood area before moving to North Huron. Her pastimes include all things outdoors, especially snowmobiling, golf and gardening.

While she has not been a municipal councillor before, Stacey says her diverse work experience range from customer service to administration to management to ownership.

For 10 years, she co-owned and operated a trucking business. When she moved to Wingham, she joined Libro Credit Union and she now works as the resource manager at Euro-Parts Canada, a position she’s held since 2016.

Stacey has over 25 years of volunteer experience, serving as a director, secretary, treasurer and chair with local, district and provincial snowmobile organizations and with the Wingham Golf and Curling Club. She says she has a passion for community betterment and she has volunteered locally with the Wingham Business Improvement Area (BIA) and as part of a Wingham Legion wing night team.

She says she loves being involved in her community and helping it shine by taking an active role.

Stacey says she feels qualified for a councillor position because she’s thorough and does her homework on issues so she can bring forward a balanced perspective. She thinks North Huron needed to address infrastructure that needs repair while managing tax implications responsibly. She also thinks the new council needs to foster better and more productive relationships with neighbouring municipalities by taking a direct, energetic and positive approach to resolving differences.

She says a fresh dynamic without a self-serving agenda is needed to address the issues facing the Wingham Ward and she hopes to work collaboratively with those from Blyth and East Wawanosh to serve all of North Huron’s constituents.

MITCH WRIGHT Mitch Wright is running for the position of Wingham Ward Councillor in North Huron.

Mitch grew up on a farm near Belmore, before attending F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham and studying engineering at the University of Western Ontario. In his spare time, Mitch enjoys playing soccer, hockey, hiking and gardening, in addition to coaching children’s baseball.

Mitch moved to Wingham in 2010 to be close to family and he’s worked as a project manager ever since. He has since joined the Wingham Karate Club with his wife and daughters, eventually becoming an instructor. He also learned how to play guitar.

He sits on the Wingham Community Living Board of Directors, which he says has been very fulfilling. He also sat on the Howson Dam Committee of Council and has volunteered for the Musical Muskrat Festival. He’s a member of the local Masonic Lodge and, before moving to Wingham, Mitch was a member of the Stayner Kinsmen. Being a part of those community-minded service groups, he said, has been a good fit with his desire to strengthen connections and being part of making the community the best it can be.

He says North Huron has to build strong communities and realize that the communities extend beyond the borders of North Huron. When making decisions, he said council needs to make good relationships with neighbours a high priority. He also thinks that council needs to do everything it can to increase housing availability, which has been an issue for local businesses and health care providers.

Mitch says he’ll support all community-minded housing projects, whether in North Huron or beyond.

He also says the township needs to work harder to promote the community’s unique features, such as trails, parks and waterways, as they provide immense benefits to residents and attract tourists and new employees to the area.

LONNIE WHITFIELD Lonnie Whitfield is running for the position of Wingham Ward Councillor in North Huron.

Lonnie was born and raised in North Huron, attending East Wawanosh SS#10 until a new school was built in Blyth. He attended F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham before George Brown College, where he took on the five-year steamfitter apprenticeship program, which he finished at Bruce Power.

He has since worked all over, including at Champion Road Machinery, Marshall Drywalling, Nichols/Radke in Kitchener, Aecon and Bruce Power again and Fox Industry through Union Local 527.

Lonnie has served as a supervisor in the construction industry for many years, dealing with government codes, regulations and bylaws. He also has worked regularly with engineers, vendors, owners and supervisors. The work has been, at times, exhausting and challenging, but Lonnie says he has learned that there are many rules and regulations that are difficult to put into effect and not all parties may be happy.

He says he believes in being honest and transparent and doing his best for all involved, which he feels will make him the best councillor he can be, which will, as a result, make North Huron a place people will want to come to and raise their families.

He says he would love nothing more than for the next generations to stay in the community and to do that North Huron needs affordable housing that will aid both the existing population and attract new young families to the area.

Lonnie says he thinks North Huron can work together with its neighbours to make great things happen in North Huron.

STEPHEN HILL Stephen Hill is running for the position of Wingham Ward Councillor in North Huron.

Stephen is the co-owner of Buck and Jo’s in Wingham. He has established the North Huron Block Parents program and has been a strong advocate for municipal transparency.

He says the township’s high taxes are a manifestation of systemic corruption in North Huron and that all safeguards must be reinstated. Most importantly, he says, North Huron needs to restore press and public gallery questions at council meetings.

Ramming through bylaws in seconds by doing all three readings at once must end, he said, which is how the township lost the trailer park and its airport.

Stephen declined to provide a picture to accompany his profile.

PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

ELECTION 2022 Six candidates eye four Morris-Turnberry seats JAMIE MCCALLUM Jamie McCallum is running for the position of councillor in Morris-Turnberry.

Jamie has lived in Belgrave his whole life, living there now with his three children. He considers the municipality a great place to live, work and play.

He has served two terms as a councillor for MorrisTurnberry. During that time, he has served as the chair of the Coalition for Huron Injury Prevention (CHIP) in 2013 and 2019. He has been part of presentations to the provincial government to help fund capital assets and has worked with different levels of government to increase starter-home money to help young people buy homes.

At meetings or negotiations, Jamie says he doesn’t speak to hear the sound of his own voice. He speaks to make a difference and aims to stay on-topic. He has worked diligently during budget deliberations to keep tax increases low while maintaining infrastructure and operations and, if re-elected, he says that will not change.

In the community, Jamie is involved in the management of the Wingham Ironmen hockey club. He has coached minor hockey and minor baseball for many years and served as the chair of his hometown’s homecoming celebration, in addition to chaperoning many school trips and supporting events in the community for many years.

Jamie feels the housing shortage is the biggest issue facing council in the coming term.

He has worked with Huron County Council and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to increase funding for first-time home buyers, which he says is a start, but more work needs to be done. There need to be shovels in the ground for subdivisions, housing units and business expansion. This gets people into houses, he says, creates jobs and makes businesses stronger, all of which expands the tax base.

Asset management will also grow in importance. He was part of a group that presented for the Brussels arena in an effort to secure funding. As a municipality, Morris-Turnberry needs to take advantage of grants to ensure the upkeep of infrastructure.

He also feels the municipality needs to work better with its neighbours. He’d like to spearhead in-person meetings to work out the differences for the betterment of residents of both municipalities. He says the time is now.

He says he has offered fair representation throughout the municipality and he has always made himself available to hear residents’ concerns or thoughts, no matter where they live, and he wants to continue to be that voice of the people.

KEVIN FREIBURGER Kevin Freiburger is running for a councillor position in Morris-Turnberry.

Kevin grew up helping his parents, Marilyn and Gerald, on their family farm, so he says he’s no stranger to hard work and tradition. He and his wife Nikki have three young boys - seven-year-old Joseph, five-year-old Thomas and three-year-old Charles - and they hope to instill those same values in them as well.

A life-long resident of Morris-Turnberry, Kevin also owns and operates his own business in the municipality, First Line Home Inspection. He’s also looking forward to a new farming endeavour with his family.

For the past four years, Kevin has served as a councillor for Morris-Turnberry. During this time, he served on the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, the Source Water Protection Board, the Bluevale Community Centre Board and a short stint on the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre Board. He also volunteers with the Elementary School Fair in Belgrave, setting up livestock pens, show rings and helping with other outdoor events at the fair.

He feels the major issue facing the municipality is the increasing cost of maintaining Morris-Turnberry’s infrastructure with its relatively small tax base. He says this is something that will always be an issue for small municipalities and he would like to continue working on it by using common sense and cost-effective decision making.

Another concern, he says, is the shared services agreement with North Huron. It has been a long process, he says, but he is hopeful that a fair agreement can be reached in the next term of council.

DALE MCFARLAN Dale McFarlan is running for the position of councillor in Morris-Turnberry.

Dale was born and raised in Morris-Turnberry, where she still resides today. She says her name may ring a bell with residents, as her parents - Miriel and Elmer - are well known in the community and Dale used to work in the building department.

Although she doesn’t have much political experience or community involvement, Dale says she is looking forward to working hard for ratepayers. She says she has had many years of negotiating and arguing for people’s rights in her 15 years as a union executive.

One of Dale’s priorities would be to bring more housing to the community, which will lead to lower taxes and attract more businesses, opportunities and financial investments in local hospitals, schools and services.

In Morris-Turnberry, Mayor Jamie Heffer has been acclaimed to another term in the municipality’s top position.

SHAREN ZINN Sharen Zinn is running for the position of councillor in Morris-Turnberry.

Sharen has served as a councillor from 2014 to 2018 and as the deputy-mayor from 2018 to 2022.

She owns property and has lived in Morris-Turnberry for 43 years. She worked at the Wingham and District Hospital for 20 years, as a real estate advisor for eight years and now she enjoys working for Wingham and District Community Living, while also serving the people of the municipality on council.

Sharen began her time as a councillor with very little knowledge of how it all worked, wanting simply to be a voice for residents while applying common sense. Over the past eight years, Sharen says she has gained plenty of valuable knowledge and has sat on many committees, including the safety committee, the doctor recruitment committee, the Brussels Medical Dental Centre committee, the Coalition for Huron Injury Prevention (CHIP) committee and the farm safety committee.

She says her passion as a municipal representative has always been the people, adding that her door is always open to discuss issues and get ratepayers the answers they need, working with municipal staff, her fellow councillors and the mayor.

The next four years will be even more challenging, Sharen says, with the shortage of housing, homelessness, the opium crisis, strain on the health care system and divides between neighbours, just to name a few. She says Morris-Turnberry Council needs to look forward and make changes to how the municipality goes about its business in these trying times, while retaining municipal standards.

Maintaining the municipality’s assets will be crucial, she says, and can be achieved with a good asset management plan to set the path for future generations and for the betterment of the municipality.

We must all work together in these trying times, she said, and come up with cost-saving solutions to grow Morris-Turnberry and move it forward.

Sharen says she has always pledged to do her best for the people of Morris-Turnberry, but we all have to do better to achieve the best for the future.

JODI SNELL Jodi Snell is running for a councillor position in MorrisTurnberry.

Born and raised in Huron County, Jodi obtained her legal assistant diploma and returned to Huron County and has since worked in various sectors within the provincial government and health care fields. She has been a real estate agent for the last four years, living in Morris-Turnberry with her husband of 23 years, her two daughters and two dogs.

If elected, Jodi plans to approach being a councillor the same way she does in her real estate career, which is to listen to the people of Morris-Turnberry and to provide a responsive, transparent, honest and personable service. She says her knowledge and experiences within the community fuel her enthusiasm and desire to make the community the best it can be.

In her previous careers, Jodi has learned about how federal, provincial and municipal governments operate. In addition, her role as a realtor means she is in constant contact with municipal offices and requires her to understand the internal workings of zoning, bylaw interpretation, the request-for-proposals process and more.

She has volunteered with the local hospice and coached sports teams and she is currently a board member of the Huron and North Perth Chambers of Commerce, as well as a federal political advisor for the Huron Perth Association of Realtors, which requires frequently making contact with local MPs and MPPs. Jodi says she didn’t put her name forward for one major issue. In recent weeks, speaking with individuals, Jodi said she has heard concerns about animal control, road construction, development, relationships with neighbouring townships, zoning, taxes and more. She says she will listen to ratepayers’ concerns and be a voice at the council table that isn’t afraid to ask questions and will work to find solutions. The solutions may not please everyone, she said, but she promises to bring concerns forward, try to find a solution that’s in the best interests of the majority of ratepayers and to offer as much transparency as possible throughout the process.

Blyth incumbents acclaimed AMY SCHIESTEL Amy Schiestel is running for the position of Wingham Ward Councillor in North Huron.

Amy has family ties to Wingham and chose to raise her own family in the town with her husband Scott and their two children.

She says the future generations are very important to her, as they are the ones who will shape the future for their children and grandchildren.

She strongly believes in freedom of choice and will continue to defend the rights and freedoms of everyone, especially children.

Although her political experience is limited, she says everyone has to start somewhere. Amy says she will strive to approach every issue with her firm belief in democracy.

She believes North Huron’s taxes are extremely high and they need to be capped without affecting important infrastructure and she says she will work hard to lower taxes. She is also concerned about wasteful and unnecessary spending of tax dollars and she would like to initiate fundraising for a skate park for the youth.

In North Huron, incumbent Councillors Ric McBurney and Kevin Falconer were acclaimed to return to their positions in the Blyth Ward.

In Wingham, candidate Tanya Jane Williams did not submit a picture or information by the deadline.

Patricia Elaine Smith, Michel Starenky and Ray Berg are running to be the community’s representative on the Avon Maitland District School Board.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022. PAGE 9.

ELECTION 2022

MacLellan, Craig challenge in Huron East BERNIE MACLELLAN Bernie MacLellan is running for the position of mayor of Huron East.

Bernie has lived in Huron East for most of his life, moving to the community when he was just 10 years old. He and his wife Helen have four children and five grandchildren. He owns a small business, Jamco Trailers, in Huron East that he has been operating for over 40 years, something in which he takes great pride.

He’s an avid golfer and he enjoys spending time with his family. Bernie now has 26 years of municipal council experience, four as a councillor, 10 as deputy-mayor and 12 as mayor, in addition to 22 years of experience as a Huron County Councillor.

Bernie has been an instructor for Scouts Canada and has volunteered for many years in local minor hockey. He served as a board member for the Exeter Christian School Society and the Clinton District Christian School, as well as being a director for Habitat for Humanity.

Over his years of experience, Bernie has sat on various committees, being elected the chair of quite a few. He served as the Huron County Warden in 2012 and is currently the Huron County representative for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) provincial health task force.

Two of the biggest issues facing Huron East, he said, are the lack of available housing and work force shortages. These are tied together, he said, as you cannot increase the population without available housing.

Bernie hopes to introduce a strategy for phases two, three and four of the Brussels housing development that will entice young families to move to the area, which will also help to address local labour issues.

The increase in population, he said, will also be able to take full advantage of all the services provided by the newly-renovated Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre, which will strengthen Huron East and the Brussels area.

Three challenge in Grey Ward ALVIN MCLELLAN Alvin McLellan is running for the position of Grey Councillor in Huron East.

Alvin and his wife Pam have lived just outside of Ethel for 42 years.

They have three grown children, Sarah, Missy and A.J., who are all now married with families of their own and now Alvin and Pam are enjoying their grandchildren.

His experience spans a number of years, during which he has had the opportunity to serve on many boards and committees, including the Brussels, Morris and Grey Recreation Board, the Ethel Community Centre Board, the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Board, the Cranbrook Community Centre Board, the Moncrieff Community Centre Board, the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, the Huron East Administration Committee and the Huron East Personnel Committee.

Alvin is also a past member of the Brussels Optimist Club.

Looking ahead to the coming term, Alvin says he would like to see through the completion of the renovation and expansion of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre, phase one of the new Brussels subdivision and the possible start of the second phase. He also wants to dig deeper into discussions around the composition of Huron East Council, the service delivery review, the ward system in Huron East, rural issues like roadside tree-cutting, property standards and taxes.

CURTIS MCKINNON Curtis McKinnon is running for the position of Grey Ward Councillor in Huron East.

Curtis says he is an avid reader with an affinity for information. He also says he has a contrarian mindset.

He has lived in Huron East, specifically in the Grey Ward, nearly all his life outside of leaving for several years to study at Fanshawe College and Nipissing University, where he secured a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration. Curtis says that while he may make decisions quickly, he never decides without being able to back up a decision with logic and common sense, though he says the latter is less common than the former. Politically, he says he is a left-facing conservative in that he is fiscally conservative and socially progressive.

He said that an election in which the current positions are not challenged and the status quo is accepted should be considered a sign of stagnation and not of growth, which is why he decided to run in both 2018 and 2022.

Curtis says he also believes in being an active stakeholder in the community. Growing up in Ethel, Curtis helped at the community ball park during tournaments and at the Ethel Christmas celebration. At Fanshawe, he helped start a campus Lions Club and now volunteers as a member of the Atwood Lions Club.

The issues facing Huron East, he said, are the same issues facing many municipalities in Ontario, including housing, jobs and income and community well-being. He supports the creation of middle and affordable housing, encourages entrepreneurship and the creation and growth of businesses within Huron East and the Grey Ward. He also hopes to build upon local community services, in particular those impacting the low-income and disabled populations.

In Huron East, council positions in four of the municipality’s five wards have been acclaimed.

In Brussels, incumbent Councillor Justin Morrison has been acclaimed, as has newcomer Jeff Newell.

Incumbent Councillor Zoellyn Onn had filed her nomination papers, but withdrew on Aug. 19.

In McKillop, incumbents Gloria Wilbee and Brenda Dalton have been acclaimed, as have Tuckersmith incumbents Ray Chartrand and Larry McGrath.

In Seaforth, incumbent Deputy-Mayor Bob Fisher has been acclaimed to return to a Seaforth Councillor position (the deputy-mayor is chosen by council after the election) and newcomer John Steffler has also been acclaimed.

Deborah Logue and Dennis Valenta are challenging to represent the area as a trustee for the Avon Maitland District School Board.

NANCY CRAIG Nancy Craig is running for the position of mayor of Huron East.

Nancy says her degree is in political science, which is pre-law, and that she has also taught at the post-secondary level. She worked on a contract basis with federal, provincial and municipal governments, worked with the cattle industry in Alberta and now she and her husband own a business that caters to tourists. As a result, she says she understands tourism and economic development and how they are connected. She has attended numerous meetings, including council meetings, sat on boards and served as her class president twice.

Nancy has addressed the Economic Development Board regarding equal funding distribution, created the Huron County Tourism Co-operative, worked to stop the creation of an aggregate pit, assisted Harpurhey residents with the local yard waste site and assisted Egmondville residents to dispute tax increases.

Her research into health services showed a lack of staff, saying that she has heard a number of complaints from people discharged from hospitals who were then unable to arrange home care.

She says three of her ideas were implemented by Huron East’s economic development department and that nine of her platform ideas have been “appropriated” by the municipality. She is also helping farmers with AG-4 zoning.

Nancy has asked for a value-for-money audit, but with no luck. Her priority as mayor will be to hold the line on taxes, ensuring wise use of tax dollars and value for money.

This means, she says, a line-by-line review of spending and creating an environment of financial efficiency at town hall, as well as ensuring the road and infrastructure projects are well managed and that the municipality is open and transparent. She hopes to encourage economic development and tourism with 12 events per year held at between three and four locations.

As mayor, Nancy said growing the economy will be a top priority. Economic growth in tourism will help Huron East keep its taxes low and maintain and upgrade its infrastructure. She also says she will ensure an annual value-formoney audit.

Michie eyes MorrisTurnberry council seat CHRIS MICHIE Chris Michie is running for a councillor position in Morris-Turnberry.

Chris was born in Morris Township, just outside of Belgrave, and has lived there for most of his 52 years. He has attended schools in Brussels, Belgrave and Wingham before attending Lambton College. He has been married to his wife Colleen for 27 years and they have two adult children.

He has been a member of the Belgrave Kinsmen for 28 years and has worked at Bruce Power since 1991. Now, nearing retirement, Chris is acting on a life-long interest in local politics.

Chris says he has always donated his time to the community and he has lots of experience planning and organizing. He has served on many different committees with the Belgrave Kinsmen and held executive positions for most years. In 2010, he was the chair of the Belgrave Community Centre refurbishment project.

He’s a member of the Wingham Minor Hockey executive and spent nearly all of his winters and summers coaching teams in both softball and hockey. Since 2019, he has been the manager for the senior hockey Lucknow Lancers.

Chris says he’s committed to getting a shared services agreement in place with North Huron, adding that he’s unsure why it’s taken so long to get done.

He is also against losing good land to developers. The ministry zoning orders, which allow mayors to bypass the planning process to fast-track developments, is the wrong way to go, he says. A good process is in place, it just needs to be sped up.

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PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

ELECTION 2022

Ginn, Jewitt challenge for Central Huron Mayor JIM GINN Jim Ginn is running for the position of mayor of Central Huron.

Jim has been married to his wife Brenda for over 40 years.

They have two grown children and three young grandsons.

Jim is a life-long farmer, first in the dairy industry, where he consistently had a high-production herd in Huron County, and then in the beef industry with a purebred red angus cow-calf herd when he knew his children would not take over the family farm.

He has completed numerous environmental projects on his farm, as a result of which he has won both a provincial and national award for environmental stewardship.

Over the years, Jim has sat on numerous agricultural and environmental committees and then served two terms as a municipal councillor and three terms as mayor. He has also served four years as the Huron County Warden, the longest term in Huron County Warden history.

While he was warden, he also served as the chair of the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, the first to do so from Huron County, representing 15 counties in southern Ontario with a total population of nearly 1.5 million people. As Huron County Warden, Jim also sat on numerous committees, as well as many committees for Central Huron as well. He is also a pastchair of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority.

Jim says he feels Central Huron is doing rather well considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Central Huron Council needs to continue working on roads, bridges and agricultural drains, he said.

There are plans to host a public meeting for the swimming pool in Clinton to determine if council will repair or replace the pool.

The former Bluewater Youth Centre property has been purchased and the municipality has a letter of intent with a company for a long-term lease of the property, Jim said. This is very exciting and Jim has been responsible for bringing it all together, so he would dearly love to see it through to its completion.

As chair of the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, Jim made it a priority to lobby the provincial government for funding of rural high-speed internet and he says he’s happy to see contracts being signed that will bring it to all of Central Huron.

DAVE JEWITT Dave Jewitt is running for the position of mayor of Central Huron.

Dave has lived in both Clinton and Goderich Township and his family is originally from Hullett Township, so he feels a connection to all parts of Central Huron.

He went to school in Clinton and would go on to earn his BA from the University of Western Ontario.

He has since retired from the position of general manager of Gateway Casinos in Clinton.

Dave said he believes in decision-making through consensus and working as a team. He treats others with dignity and respect and, if elected mayor, he would be committed to creating a municipality in which all residents can be proud to live, work and play.

Dave has 18 years of municipal council experience, serving on Clinton Town Council for six years as councillor and then deputy-reeve before being elected the deputy-reeve of Central Huron for the last three terms. During that time, he has also served on Huron County Council.

He also serves as a board member of the Clinton Raceway and a member of the physician recruitment committee at the Clinton hospital. Dave has also organized a number of Great Canadian Shoreline clean-up initiatives.

Dave sees the important local issues as being the community pool and the use of the former Bluewater Youth Centre. He thinks there should be a community pool and he will work to secure revenue streams from use of the Bluewater Youth Centre property.

Other issues on Dave’s radar are advocating with the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance and the provincial government to find a solution to having a fully-serviced hospital in Clinton and housing affordability and availability, which demand creativity from council to work collaboratively with developers and senior levels of government. He is also passionate about mental health and addiction issues and the need for a co-ordinated response from service providers, facilitated by local government and enhanced government funding and advocating on behalf of the agricultural community on the impacts of the federal carbon tax.

JARED PETTEPLACE Jared Petteplace is running for the position of deputy-mayor in Central Huron.

Jared was born and raised in Clinton and is proud to be raising two boys - four-year-old Austin and two-year-old Logan - in Clinton alongside his wife Stacey.

He was a professor at Fanshawe College for 13 years and is a licensed plumber and refrigeration technician running a successful home-based service business.

Jared served as a member of the Clinton Fire Department for seven years alongside his father and uncle. His grandfather and greatgrandfather also served. He says his roots in the community run deep and the future success of Central Huron is of great importance to him.

In the last year, Jared joined the Local Advisory Committee for the Clinton Public Hospital and he has since been nominated as chair. He says it’s very important to him to see the hospital fully functioning again and being part of the committee is one of the ways he could take action towards achieving this goal.

He has served as the chair of the Facilities Committee at the Presbyterian church in Clinton and on the Clinton Fire Department. For two provincial elections, Jared served as the director of communications for the Huron-Bruce Riding Association for a provincial party, on which he also sat as a member.

As the world grows more unstable, Jared said, Central Huron needs to focus more on strategic planning and the execution of short- and long-term goals that will allow the community to thrive, acting as a destination that people want to call home.

Central Huron is currently home to a closed community pool and a hospital emergency room that’s not functioning at its full capacity, he says. There is also a shortage of opportunities for young people in the community. Central Huron Council needs to find a viable solution for those issues while at the same time showing respect for the taxpayers of the community.

Diehl hopes for return in HE DIANNE DIEHL Dianne Diehl is running for the position of Grey Ward Councillor in Huron East.

Born and raised in Brussels, Dianne has now lived and farmed in the Grey Ward for over 30 years alongside her husband David. They have four children and 11 grandchildren.

Dianne was first elected in 2010 and she is now seeking re-election for her fourth term. During her time on council, Dianne has chaired and sat on many committees and she looks forward to working with those and other committees in the future.

In the coming term, Dianne says she would like to see the development of more housing and affordable housing in the municipality, retaining and building on employment opportunities, seeing the municipality’s economic development services back up and running again, better communication and engagement with all residents, seeing the Huron East strategic plan developed and implemented and see that the ward system remains in place and that residents are represented with two voices at the table for each ward.

MARG ANDERSON Marg Anderson is running for the position of deputy-mayor in Central Huron.

Marg was born in Clinton and raised in Blyth. She has now lived in Central Huron for over 45 years with her husband Jim. On a farm just east of Londesborough, Marg and Jim have raised four children and they are now proud grandparents of 13.

Marg has served as a municipal councillor for 25 years, first with Hullett Township and then as an East Ward Councillor with Central Huron after amalgamation. Prior to committing to public service, Marg says she did her homework, completing the Municipal Clerks and Treasurers program and completing the Municipal Office Administration program as well.

As a councillor, Marg has been assigned to a number of committees and currently serves as the chair of the Central Huron Police Services Board and a member of the Community Safety and Well-Being Committee.

Marg says she wants to keep Central Huron moving forward. She says she comes to the table with a fair, open mind, honesty, integrity and a common-sense approach for the municipality as a whole. She says Central Huron needs to continue to be fiscally-responsible, while always looking for ways to entice businesses to locate in Central Huron.

Marg also says the municipality needs to improve its communication with ratepayers and promote Central Huron’s many assets. If the municipality works together, Marg says it will be easier to overcome any obstacles and create a bright future for all residents.

She believes the time is right for her to take on more responsibility.

Retired from her full-time job, Marg says her family is grown and she has the time to dedicate not just to represent all of Central Huron, but all of Huron County. She says she’s prepared to devote the time and energy necessary and, if elected, she will listen to and work hard for all the residents of Central Huron and Huron County.

Marg has immensely enjoyed representing her community for the past 25 years and would be honoured to continue and to be one of Central Huron’s voices at the Huron County Council level.

In Central Huron, all West Ward Councillors have been acclaimed.

Incumbent Councillors Alison Lobb, Adam Robinson and Michael Russo have all been acclaimed to return to their positions.

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ELECTION 2022 Five seek three East Ward seats in Central Huron DANNY COLQUHOUN Danny Colquhoun is running for the position of East Ward Councillor in Central Huron.

Danny was born and raised in Clinton, married to Vicki Colquhoun and the father of Chastity (Art) Bos of Auburn and Ken (Jen) Colquhoun of Clinton, the grandfather of seven and the great-grandfather of four.

He is recently retired from a 39-year career with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario as the local store’s manager.

Danny’s political experience spans back before amalgamation, serving as a councillor for the Town of Clinton. He has since served three consecutive terms as an East Ward Councillor in Central Huron. He currently sits on a number of municipal subcommittees, including Clinton Raceway Inc., the Personnel and Negotiating Committee and the Workplace Joint Health and Safety Committee.

Over his years of service, Danny has many highlights, including helping to bring development to the municipality with projects like St. Anne’s Secondary School, the new Ontario Provincial Police station and the Clinton Raceway and Casino, to name a few.

Danny has also served as a player and coach for Clinton Minor Ball, Clinton Minor Hockey and Clinton Senior Hockey. He is also involved in the fundraising for the Canada Day fireworks and he actively volunteers at many events in the community.

He says the key issue facing the community is the shortage of housing not just in Central Huron, but across the province. As a solution, he’d like to see through the development of the land at the former Bluewater Youth Centre, purchased by the municipality earlier this year. In previous terms, Central Huron Council has been successful in securing many organizations that brought jobs to the community and the municipality will need to have available housing stock for the employees of those businesses, he says.

JENNIFER COX Jennifer Cox is running for the position of East Ward Councillor in Central Huron.

Jennifer was born in Clinton. She attended public school in Vanastra, then Clinton, before graduating from Central Huron Secondary School.

After achieving her B.A. from the University of Windsor in Communications, Jennifer worked briefly in the equity world before working with the Avon Maitland District School Board for the last 15 years, mostly as a tech. support trainer with information technology services.

She recently took on a new position as an online literacy practitioner with the Centre for Employment and Learning.

Jennifer’s husband also grew up in the area and they have been married now for almost 23 years. They moved back to Clinton in 2003 and have three children, two in university and one in Grade 3.

Jennifer has been involved in parent councils, the school board’s Parent Involvement Committee, the minor hockey executive, the childcare centre board and, most recently, as a board member for Rural Response for Healthy Children. She was also a member of the parks committee, which worked on fundraising and planning for the new splash pad and skate park in Clinton. This will be her first attempt to enter the world of municipal service.

She feels some of the key issues facing the community are the need for affordable housing, local business viability and costly, deteriorating community facilities, such as the Clinton pool.

In recent years, Jennifer says, Central Huron has seen an increase in the local tourism drive and, while she sees the rationale in this, as a councillor, she says she would like to focus on maintaining and enhancing existing services offered to residents and planning towards using natural areas like parks and trails and downtown areas to better serve residents.

ALLAN PEEL Allan Peel is running for the position of East Ward Councillor in Central Huron.

Allan is a full-time farmer, married with one son, who lives in the northern portion of Central Huron. He has been involved with Scouts, 4-H, Habitat for Humanity and has worked an off-farm job over the years. He has volunteered with the Blyth Festival and is an avid hunter and fisherman.

This would be his first time as an elected representative, but he has sat in on some council meetings when he took an interest in a municipal drain project. That process ended up being more confusing than it should have been, he said, because many records were lost after amalgamation, including maps of drains.

EVERETT SMITH Everett Smith is running for the position of East Ward Councillor in Central Huron.

Everett is happily married to his wife Charlene and the proud father of three children: Jocelyn, Ella and Herman. He’s a utility service representative for Enbridge Gas, meaning he ensures the safe delivery of natural gas, mainly responding to natural gas emergencies.

He has a small family farm operation in Hullett Township, where they care for beef and chickens, as well as producing maple syrup. Everett says he loves to do anything outdoors, including fishing, cycling, skiing and other sports, to name a few.

He attended Fanshawe College, where he completed the electronics engineering technician program and he has completed the professional certificate in management at the University of Western Ontario.

Everett says he’s completely new to the world of municipal politics, but very excited to get his start and learn. He’s a captain in the Central Huron Fire Department and has served the department for 10 years. He has also spent many years coaching in the Huron Heat organization, with the BCH Ice Dogs and in local baseball with the Clinton Mustangs.

Everett has spent his whole life in Huron County and, if elected, he would be proud to serve the community he loves and cherishes.

Everett feels that one of the key issues is spending taxpayers’ hard-earned money efficiently and effectively.

He wants council to support and encourage local businesses, residential housing and overall community development to enable the community to grow and flourish.

He hopes that successful growth would encourage younger members of the community to stay in Central Huron. He hopes to impart his insight to help the municipality continue to operate smoothly and efficiently for the members of the community, while being financially responsible and respectful.

Everett says he’s very excited to hopefully have the opportunity to listen, learn, add insight and represent the members of Central Huron’s East Ward effectively.

JEFFERY SCHOLL Jeffery Scholl is running for the position of East Ward Councillor in Central Huron.

The married father of three-year-old and six-year-old sons, Jeffery is 45 years old and has lived in Huron and Perth Counties for most of his life, moving to Clinton nine years ago.

Jeffery works for Contact North as a director of recruitment and partnerships for Southwestern Ontario, connecting individuals, not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and other local organizations with training and education. He says he loves what he does and the positive impact he can make in communities.

Jeffery is also a volunteer director on the board of directors for Technical Training Group, an organization specializing in welding and metal fabrication apprenticeships that run out of Listowel, Clinton and Stratford.

He feels that youth retention, housing and health care are all extremely important issues to him and he feels strongly that all levels of government need to be working together to take them on. As someone who works with those issues every day, Jeffery says he knows there is a lack of solutions out there and it’s only going to get worse.

There is an opportunity to work with other tiers of government and Jeffery has helped other municipalities secure funding to move their own health care, youth training and housing initiatives along and he wants to do the same for Central Huron.

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PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

ELECTION 2022

Vanstone, Watt vie for ACW Deputy-Mayor ROGER WATT Roger Watt is running for the position of deputy-mayor in Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (ACW).

Born in Peterborough, Roger moved to attend the University of Waterloo (Bsc, MMath). He would go on to work at the university for 39 years, managing central computing, the campus network and internet facilities and services. He has been married for 54 years, retired for 15 years and has owned a property in ACW for the last 30 years.

Roger has been on ACW Council for 12 years as a councillor and then as deputy-reeve and deputy-mayor (when the positions names were changed). He has been a Huron County Councillor for eight years and has served for seven years as the county’s representative on the Southwest Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) board. He has served on a fire service board for six years, the Huron Perth Public Health board for two years, the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority for 15 years, the Source Water Protection working group for two years, been a community representative on Huron water protection, cultural plan and sustainability steering committees for 15 years and a lakefront property owner association member for 30 years.

Roger says council must continue to keep taxes in line with inflation, while promoting the agricultural, business, residential, cultural and tourism sectors. He says the township needs to invest in volunteer-run community facilities and events and doing what council can do to protect natural resources for local economic, cultural and recreational use within the constraints of provincial legislation.

Roger also cites the labour shortage and the shortage of affordable housing, particularly for people early in their careers, as crucial issues moving forward, as well as inadequate high-speed internet coverage making it impossible for some to work or be educated from home. He says these are major constraints to growth and prosperity, adding that they’re widespread and tightly connected.

Roger says he’s been serving on national, provincial and regional projects to better internet connectivity for 40 years, in addition to being an advocate for lower-cost housing alternatives like tiny homes and “barndominiums” and for giving preferential treatment to residential development applications that include affordable rental and ownership units.

He says ACW is making progress, but that there is much still left to achieve.

GLORIA FISHER Gloria Fisher is running for a councillor position in AshfieldColborne-Wawanosh (ACW).

Gloria has been a proud resident of ACW for 47 years, farming alongside her husband Bruce on their cow-calf operation. She is a mother, grandmother and retired registered nurse.

She says her experience as a nurse manager, her approachable personality and her ability to get the job done makes her an ideal candidate for a councillor position. She says she has the ability to set priorities and make timely decisions as someone who is anchored in the community and who has a desire to help others. She also believes in fairness and equity for rural municipalities.

Gloria has been an at-large councillor for ACW for the past four years, while also serving as a member of the Lucknow Fire Board and the Benmiller Hall Board for the past four years. She has been a volunteer for the Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign for a number of years and a proud participant in the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser.

She feels the key issues facing township are development, extractive resources, affordable housing, homelessness prevention, economic development and providing vital services to seniors.

Gloria says that sound land use planning is part of building healthy, prosperous and sustainable communities. While it can become a source of conflict and tension, proper planning can help manage these tensions and bring about more efficient use of the township’s land base, she said.

ACW contains a very large area of designated aggregate and there is a challenge to balancing the need for gravel with the preservation of biodiversity. If elected, Gloria would support a province-wide study of the licensing of pits with the focus on equitable distribution of pits and quarries across Ontario.

As ACW continues to grow, she said, council needs to focus on health care. More people means the need for more doctors and health care staff. Gloria believes this will be a major budget issue in the years to come.

WAYNE FORSTER Wayne Forster is running for a councillor position in Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (ACW).

Born and raised on a dairy farm in West Wawanosh, Wayne and his wife Terri still live on that same farm, running a dairy operation of their own. His great-grandfather built the house, in which they now live, over 130 years ago. Wayne and Terri have three children and their oldest son, Kyle, now works as an accountant for Pepsi Co. and lives with his fiance in Elmira. Their daughter Ashley is in her second year as a teacher, helming a Grade 2/3 class at North Perth Westfield School in Listowel and their youngest, Shawn, just graduated high school and is starting an electrical apprenticeship with Montgomery’s Industrial Services in Wingham.

Wayne has been an ACW Councillor for the last eight years.

He plays the organ at the Lucknow United Church and is an active volunteer at the Wingham Golf and Curling Club, curling twice a week over the winter. In past years, he also volunteered with the Lucknow Agricultural Society.

He says one of the key issues facing the community is access to affordable housing. He says council is working on a project in Dungannon to add some attainable housing and he would like to see that project through and work towards future development to help the citizens of ACW.

BILL VANSTONE Bill Vanstone is running for the deputy-mayor position in Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (ACW).

He served on Colborne Township Council for five years before serving as the deputy-reeve for six years and the reeve for nine years, also serving on Huron County Council during that time. He has served for the past eight years as an ACW Councillor.

Bill says he and his family have lived in ACW all their lives. He was a member of the Goderich Lions Club for 15 years, serving as the president for a year. He has coached youth baseball and helped out with numerous community events. At the present time, Bill says he is actively involved with the Port Albert Recreation Committee.

He says the important issues facing the community are services and taxes. ACW Council wanted to keep services high and the taxes in focus as the community continues to grow with the construction of new subdivisions and more people living in the township.

If elected, Bill hopes to do the best for the community and be fair and listen to and deal with the concerns of the ratepayers. He says he prides himself on treating everyone equally and that everyone needs to play by the same rules.

JENNIFER MILTENBURG Jennifer Miltenburg is running for a councillor position in Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (ACW).

Jennifer is running for her third term as a councillor.

She and her husband Don are dairy farmers, but are currently transitioning the operation to the next generation. Jennifer and Don have been married for 38 years and their three sons and their families all live in ACW. Jennifer says she has a passion for community engagement and she has a long record of volunteerism with youth, sports, education, agriculture and religion.

For the last 10 years, much of Jennifer’s extracurricular work has been focused on being a director with the St. Joseph’s Kingsbridge Community and promoting the Kingsbridge Centre. Her success on this project has led to a number of speaking engagements and being invited by the Special Advisor to the Premier of Ontario to serve on the Community Hubs Framework Advisory Group.

She believes the budget is an important issue moving forward, saying that a proactive approach protects ACW’s assets and ensures affordability for future generations. Jennifer says she’s skilled when it comes to identifying wants and needs, as well as balancing budgets.

In regards to community development, Jennifer says the municipality plays a role in forging new connections, facilitating engagement between communities and promoting community development, providing a hand-up, not a hand-out.

Jennifer also believes strongly in promoting agriculture, saying that agricultural and farmgate/value-added producers need support. She has helped to develop a farmers’ market, created a Taste of Ontario event and is keenly invested in creating new opportunities for farmers.

Jennifer says that the foundation of success in any organization is co-operation; transformational change takes time and tenacity. Some people say “vote for change” without understanding that “all change is not growth... just as all movement is not forward”, according to Ellen Glasgow.

ANITA SNOBELEN Anita Snobelen is running for a councillor position in Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (ACW).

Growing up on a family farm and later moving to Chatham, Anita completed college in 1976 and began a career in community pharmacy before opening a small retail business in Chatham in 1997. After years of continuous business growth, Anita opened a second location in Strathroy.

In 2016, Anita married her husband Mike and he encouraged her to retire from the retail business. They now farm near Port Albert and, in 2018, Anita was first elected to ACW Council.

She says she enjoys her work on council and feels she’s able to bring a depth of experience to the role as being fair and approachable and, most importantly, someone who strives to make decisions that are in the best interests of all residents.

Anita has been a school board trustee for 28 years, she has served on two hydro boards and the EI Tribunal for a total of 10 years as well as being on the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce for over 10 years. She has also spent many years volunteering in both Chatham and Goderich, with the Canadian Cancer Society, the Rotary Club, the Huron Historic Gaol, The Livery, the Kingsbridge Centre and St. Peter’s Parish.

Anita says that the demand for housing is a long-term issue facing the township. A high priority for her is managing the potential growth within the township. She said residents can rely on her sense of fairness and fiscal responsibility to address the demand for growth and ensure it will be sustainable in the long-term. She added that development charges will help to offset the cost of future infrastructure without having an impact on the tax base.

Other concerns are shoreline protection, the official plan, the parks and recreation strategic plan and the Port Albert master servicing plan. All remain high priorities for completion, Anita says, and with strong leadership, residents deserve an elected council that has a vision to ensure growth and sustainability is managed with informed and respectful decision making. To achieve these goals, Anita says residents need to elect a council that shares a progressive approach and a desire to work together in the spirit of cooperation, which is how issues are truly solved.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022. PAGE 13.

ELECTION 2022

Eight candidates vie for five spots in ACW EVAN HICKEY Evan Hickey is running for a councillor position in Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (ACW).

Evan lives on Nile Road in West Wawanosh with his wife Katie and their children Emily, Lauren, Brendan and Aiden. They have a cash crop operation and raise veal calves and Evan works off the farm driving a milk truck for Mike Chapman Milk Transport, as well as with Flynn Farms in Clinton.

This is his first time running for public office, though he says he’s hoping to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Joe Hickey, who was a councillor for many years in West Wawanosh.

In speaking with ACW residents, Evan says they want common-sense spending and quality basics, as well as better roads, but not necessarily paved, but gravel roads with actual stone, rather than powder. He says people also want roadsides to be pushed back of dead trees and overgrown grass that obstructs visibility at intersections.

He says ACW is facing a push on development, including in Saltford and all along the west side of Highway 21. Evan says land zonings are being changed and he’s unsure that full and proper discussions have taken place in regards to drinking water, wastewater and future road maintenance, as well as doctors, hospitals and other services that will be needed.

Evan also says he’s concerned about wasteful spending, citing the last budget when concerns such as rising costs, inflation and needing to grow reserves had been discussed, yet the township’s 2021 surplus was spent on its office renovation, which he said is an example of out-of-control spending.

PETER MCKEE Peter McKee is running for a councillor position in Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (ACW).

Born and raised in Benmiller, Peter is now living in the house in which he was raised. He works for the Avon Maitland District School Board as a custodian at F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham.

He ran for ACW Council in 2018 and though he was not elected, Peter says that has helped him to feel prepared for this coming election.

Peter has been a member of the Auburn and District Lions Club for the past five years as well as the 4th Goderich Scouts for nine years, five years as a Cub leader and four years as a committee member.

While attending a recent candidates’ event, he said something said by another candidate really resonated with him, because it’s exactly what he hopes to accomplish if elected, which is that he doesn’t feel it’s his place to state what he thinks are the key issues facing the community. He said he feels his job is to listen to the residents and what they feel the key issues are and bring those issues and concerns to council so a resolution, solution or answer can be found.

PATTI WILKINS Patti Wilkins is running for a councillor position in AshfieldColborne-Wawanosh (ACW).

Patti grew up in Bothwell as the daughter of the local chief of police.

He would enter local politics later in his life and that has played a role in Patti’s decision to run.

She came to the area 15 years ago and ever since she has been serving the community through her business, P-Zazz Salon and Spa, based in her home. She is a single parent of four grown children and she has just welcomed her first grandchild to the world.

Patti has been a member of the local Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE) for the last five years; secretary, treasurer and pastpresident of the Huron County Poultry Club; volunteered and fundraised with the Huron Residential Hospice and been a member of both the Auburn and Goderich Horticultural Societies and a volunteer with 4-H. As a young hair stylist, Patti said she was always taught not to talk about politics or religion, but after marrying a pastor three years ago, she feels now’s the time to talk politics and religion. Over the years she says she has learned how to talk to clients, but more importantly she’s learned to listen and she thinks it’s time to talk about politics, especially at the municipal level, where the greatest impact can be made.

She has heard concerns about dissolving the ward system, the Port Albert Master Plan, the airport, road safety standards, communal wells, waste, affordable housing, internet accessibility and more. She says that as more concentration of power is given to elected officials and experts, there is less of an impact from individual citizens and their voices, which threatens the roots of democracy.

CURTIS BLAKE Curtis Blake is running for a councillor position in AshfieldColborne-Wawanosh (ACW).

Curtis grew up on a small family farm just southwest of Lucknow. At a young age, Curtis says he found a passion for agriculture and construction and after high school he began working with a local contractor.

He now manages his own construction business and lives in Port Albert, balancing his time between his construction business and helping with a local farm operation during its busy season.

Although Curtis doesn’t have a political background, he says he frequently attends community events, fundraisers and dinners. He says he loves the community in which he’s lived his whole life and has strong ties to all aspects of it.

He says that, if elected, he will have the best interests of community members at heart and present a strong voice and be a councillor who isn’t willing to be pushed over.

Poor development planning, dishonesty, poor communication and not basing decisions on the public’s interests are some of the issues that inspired him to run. He said ACW Council needs to better represent the people of the community and their perspectives.

If elected, Curtis says he will be a stern voice on which people can rely to express their concerns and opinions. He will not allow himself to be disregarded or pushed to the side when it comes to important topics that affect the community. People can be sure that he will be open-minded to all perspectives and opinions and that he will represent them to the best of his ability.

In Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh, Mayor and current Huron County Warden Glen McNeil has been acclaimed to return to his position as mayor.

Joseph Cohen has been acclaimed as the region’s trustee for the Avon Maitland District School Board.

N. Huron candidates talk charity experiences, plans Continued from page 1 candidates, Lonnie Whitfield spoke first, saying he wants to make North Huron prosper to reduce taxation.

He said that, with expenses going up, enlarging the tax base is a priority. He also said he wants to focus on bringing industry to the community and working with neighbouring municipalities and counties to drive business to the area. Affordable housing is also a key point for him.

Hill said he would deliver fair and equal treatment and services throughout the community, focusing on sidewalks being cleared in the winter and the creation of a dog park. He also raised questions about the current council’s sale of municipal assets like the airport. Finally, Hill said he would focus on enforcing bylaws, citing people blocking sidewalk usage.

Mitch Wright said that councillors need to realize that Wingham is a community that extends beyond its borders, highlighting community clubs, minor sports, schools and churches

as examples of groups that don’t follow the borders. He said recognizing that the community extends beyond the border of North Huron needs to be a high priority and that the municipality needs to build trust and relationships with its neighbours as a means of reducing costs, sharing resources and finding efficiencies.

Boyd said she is focused on community betterment, and shared her fellow candidates’ concerns regarding infrastructure, taxes, housing and fostering better relationships with the municipality’s neighbours.

East Wawanosh incumbent van Hittersum said she was the right person for the job because she is aware of the unique challenges that rural communities face. She shared a long list of priorities including protecting farmland, business attraction and retention, keeping hospitals and community centres open, growing childcare options in the area and high-speed internet.

She also focused on increased density in residential areas that can welcome it.

Fellow incumbent Palmer also highlighted his rural and agricultural background and said he has no personal agenda aside from being “open-minded, transparent and fair.” He espoused the benefits of fiscal responsibility, asset management and keeping tax increases low.

Tiffin, who has experience working for a municipality, said she is bringing a great deal of knowledge to the table thanks to that. She said she wants North Huron to get back to the basic services it should be providing, like roads and drainage. She also said that relationships with neighbouring municipalities need to be mended for council to be able to increase the residential tax base and also benefit from increased residential development in neighbouring municipalities.

CHARITY EXPERIENCES The first question of the night asked each candidate to speak to their charity or volunteer experiences within the municipality. Heffer was asked to answer first.

He cited his experiences with minor sports, including refereeing and coaching, and helping to keep Wingham’s downtown clean. He said he is also proud of his more recent work with the Wingham Trail Committee and the group responsible for the renovations of the Wingham Town Hall Theatre.

Seip highlighted numerous boards he had been a part of, including local hospital associations and the Western Ontario Athletic Association (WOAA) board, and said he currently volunteers with Wingham Community Connectors.

Markeljevic said that, since he had never charged for his expertise, he felt he had volunteered in helping an Amish family stand up to North Huron regarding a planning issue, and did the same in Huron East.

Bailey said that, when he owned Sunrise Dairy in the community, he gave back extensively to the Wingham area, and more recently he volunteered to help raise funds for the Twin Oaks Medical Centre in Wingham. He also said that being

on council could be considered volunteer work for the amount of effort required.

Tiffin said she has volunteered with the Wingham branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Belgrave Fowl Supper and has also been involved in sports and dance programs through her children. She also said she felt that serving on council is a way for her to give back to the community. While she admitted the position is paid, she thinks it’s a thankless job that requires sacrifice to do.

Palmer said that, in his early farming days, he volunteered with several farm organizations, which he felt was important. He also said he was an elder at his previous church and donated to missions and causes. He also said that being part of council enabled him to give back to the community.

Van Hittersum said she volunteered through a school board and at Blyth Public School when her children attended there, and was a volunteer co-ordinator for the cancer care facility. She also has Continued on page 14

PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

Residents question plans for museum, Howson Dam it, but was surprised that it hadn’t happened yet, saying the project had been ongoing for years and should be done by now.

HOWSON DAM Candidates were asked if they would give the municipality the chance to raise the $2 million that third-party engineers estimated it would cost to rehabilitate the Howson Dam. They were also asked to explain, if they answered no, why they wouldn’t.

Palmer was the first to respond, saying that council has already voted to take the dam out and that’s the path forward. Regarding fundraising, he said that $2 million likely wasn’t the price tag now, as costs have increased since that dollar value was proposed. He said the project would “definitely… cost a whole lot more” and he didn’t think the people around Wingham would “ante that up” for the project.

Van Hittersum said the engineering report that indicated the $2 million fix was possible was only one of a number of reports generated over the past 20 years.

She said she isn’t in favour of losing the dam, but $2 million won’t be enough. She encouraged

Fresh start With both Wingham Ward incumbents, Councillor Paul Heffer and Deputy-Reeve Trevor Seip, running for the reeveship in the coming election, the field is wide open for new candidates. Four of the six candidates for the ward attended an all-candidates meeting in Wingham last week including, from left, Lonnie Whitfield, Mitch Wright, Stephen Hill and Stacey Boyd. (Denny Scott photo) Continued from page 13 supported the Blyth Festival Singers, the Huron Dairy Producers and was a board member for Community Futures Huron.

Boyd said she has been involved with snowmobile organizations and the Wingham Golf and Curling Club, as well as the Wingham Legion.

Wright is currently on the Community Living Board of Directors for Wingham and worked on the Howson Dam Committee of council. He said he has also helped out with the Wingham Musical Muskrat Festival.

Hill said he founded the North Huron Block Parents and drew attention to municipal issues by recording council meetings before North Huron started broadcasting them on YouTube. He said he also campaigned during council debating the future of the Wingham Police Service and volunteers at the restaurant he co-owns, Buck and Jo’s.

Whitfield said he had been involved in sports, including becoming referee-in-chief for the region and province for broomball.

He is also a member of the Wingham Legion and volunteers there.

WINGHAM RETENTION Reeve candidates were asked how they would focus on existing municipal residents, saying that the current council seems more interested in bringing in new residents than retaining the residents that comprise the existing tax base.

Bailey said that bringing new residents and a larger tax base to the community is the best way to lower taxes, which should incentivize residents to stay. He said that North Huron can’t stay at the same population and continue providing the same services. He pointed to commercial development as being for the existing residents as much as new residents and said all those efforts were geared at making Wingham an appealing location.

Markeljevic repeated the need for a long-term plan, saying that, by providing the same level of services, the municipality should be able to retain its existing taxbase.

He also said that new services are needed to help people retire in place.

Seip said attracting varying demographics and increasing housing supply is the best way to keep the town appealing. He said

North Huron’s services are comparable to those in much larger city centres, and those are what attract residents, so a larger tax base is needed to maintain them.

Heffer said the trails of the community and the hub that could be created with the relocation of the museum could be solid attractions for the community. He also said the municipality was “service poor” and that to bring taxes down, more residents are needed. He also said he was looking forward to the completion of the municipality’s recreation plan to help create more attractions for local communities.

NORTH HURON MUSEUM All candidates were asked how they would handle the North Huron Museum. Currently, council and staff are in the process of moving the museum from its location at the former Wingham Post Office to the former Wingham rail station, as well as deaccessioning certain artifacts. Candidates were asked if they were in favour of that plan.

While the move will cost money, the new site is being offered for $1 to the municipality. The alternative, to protect the artifacts, is a multimillion dollar upgrade to the existing facility, which the municipality had previously said wasn’t possible, resulting in the temporary closure of the museum.

Wright said the train station should be a fantastic spot, and that he felt the challenge was in fostering a renewed sense of volunteerism to make the move worthwhile. He said council needs to “embrace and encourage volunteerism” so the new site will work.

Hill said he was not in favour and questioned the engineer’s report provided to upgrade the post office.

He said he would review it if elected.

Whitfield said the new site could be a good spot for the museum and that it’s an important service.

Palmer said he was in favour of the new location, adding that it is small, but through rotation of the artifacts and on-site storage, it’s a good move. He said the old building was going to “cost way too much” to refurbish, especially with the need for an elevator.

Van Hittersum said that she was in support of it, as it could work without raising taxes through grants and volunteerism.

All three candidates for reeve who are on council were in favour of the move, with Heffer saying he

was on the committee that recommended the move and called it a “win-win” situation.

Markeljevic was also in favour of

the community to raise funds for other projects like a CT scanner for the local hospital or the North Huron Community Food Share.

Tiffin said she would review the study and discuss it in the future.

She said she misses the higher water level, and if there’s a chance, she would be supportive.

Wright, who was on the committee that helped guide council to its current course of action, and who has previously spoken out against the removal of the dam, said he was 100 per cent behind allowing fundraising to go forward, saying the current council dismissed the community’s ability to save the dam.

Whitfield said that, if $2 million was the right number he would be behind it, as did Hill, who then accused the current council of misusing funds that he felt should have been used to repair the dam.

Boyd said that, while the dam created a beautiful space in the community, she shared van Hittersum’s stance that there are other, more attainable challenges.

Heffer said he was against it, making him the only candidate for Continued on page 31

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022. PAGE 15.

Huron East Fire Department Fire Prevention Week is October 9-15

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PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

Huron East Fire Department Fire Prevention Week is October 9-15

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022. PAGE 17.

Huron East Fire Department Fire Prevention Week is October 9-15

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Thank you to all our Firefighters

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PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

Fire Department of North Huron Fire Prevention Week is October 9-15

Fire Department of North Huron - Blyth Station The 2022 Blyth division of the Fire Department of North Huron is, from left: Deputy Chief Chad Kregar, District Chief Jeff Howson, Captain Brad Hodgkinson, Josh Wesselink, Ben Kolkman, Dan Ryan, Robb Finch, Greg Jeffray, Captain Jeff Josling and Captain Mike McDonald. Front Row: Herb Govier,

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022. PAGE 19.

Fire Department of North Huron Fire Prevention Week is October 9-15

Fire Department of North Huron - Wingham Station The 2022 Wingham division of the Fire Department of North Huron is, from left: District Chief Jeff Howson, Captain Brad Hodgkinson, Tyler Peel, Jeff Hodgkinson, Brad Robinson, Jon Walters, Andy Williams, Arnold Wiegersma, Brendan Thebeau, Nathan Skinn, Carel Grundlingh, and Captain Trevor Hickey.

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PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

ACW council faces blowback on ward decision

Leading the way Rev. JoAnn Todd, speaking, organized an all-candidates meeting for Ashfield-ColborneWawanosh last week at St. Helens Hall. While Mayor Glen McNeil has been acclaimed, the removal of the ward system, a hot topic that evening, meant that eight people were vying for at-large councillor seats and current council members Deputy-Mayor Roger Watt and Councillor Bill Vanstone were running for Deputy-Mayor. (Denny Scott photo) Continued from page 1 agricultural parcels approved by the county and the province, infrastructure and keeping taxes low.

Incumbent Jennifer Miltenburg said the municipality needs better communication, something that she has been working on since she was first elected. She said she also heard the concerns of West Wawanosh and the St. Helen’s area, which includes loss of voice/identity with the loss of the ward system, better infrastructure, preservation of heritage/culture and access to highspeed internet.

Anita Snobelen, who is currently

on council, said she hopes to regain her seat to work on youth retention, recreational programming, optimized infrastructure and environmental issues.

Newcomer Patti Wilkins said she wants to focus on listening, clearing trees from roadways, medical issues, and maintaining the area not just for the current residents but for generations to come.

Deputy-Mayor candidate Bill Vanstone, who is currently a councillor, said he wants to treat ACW as one community, and give everyone fair treatment. He said there needs to be a focus on development to make sure it occurs

properly and will make himself available to constituents whenever possible.

Incumbent Deputy-Mayor Roger Watt said the municipality has a three-way issue with development: industries don’t want to move here without an available workforce, the workforce can’t afford to live here and the lack of adequate internet hinders attracting both groups. He also highlighted the problem with not being able to provide 50-acre agricultural lands.

Several sitting council members also said it wasn’t for them to tell the residents of West Wawanosh or St. Helens what the problems of the

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area were, but for the residents to inform them of their needs and concerns.

RESIDENT INVOLVEMENT The first question put to the candidates was directed at incumbents, who were asked how they could say they represented the people while simultaneously reducing office hours and moving to daytime meetings, preventing those with day jobs from watching or participating in meetings.

Wilkins was first to respond, saying she had asked that same question of Mayor Glen McNeil.

She claims he said the change was made because the municipality is a business and business decisions should be made in the morning. She said she felt that council meeting times should vary to allow for more participation.

Snobelen said she would also like to see the meetings moved to nights, which they were when she was first elected. She said Tuesday mornings, when the meetings were held, were her time to visit with her father and she had lost that time for a reason. However, she noted that council had made the decision and, as a councillor, she had to support it.

Miltenburg gave the history of the move, saying it was made to emulate Huron County Council as having staff in the building during the meeting was helpful. During night-time meetings, staff either have to be paid to be in attendance or council members have to wait to have questions answered. She explained that council had decided to try daytime meetings for a year and actually found that more people participated and that there were no official complaints made about the change. The change to host

meetings simultaneously in-person and broadcast through the internet has also allowed people to livestream the meetings or watch them later, she said, which is good.

That said, she said a new council could change that.

Forster agreed, saying that having the staff available makes meetings so much easier for council to make informed decisions.

Watt said he had no vested interest in the change, though he agreed it’s a business meeting.

REFERENDUMS A resident then asked if issues like meeting times and the municipality’s defunct ward system should be put to referendums.

Vanstone responded saying that wasn’t necessary if people made their wishes known to council.

Specifically referencing setting meeting times, Vanstone said residents just need to tell whoever gets elected if they support the status quo or want it changed back to night-time meetings.

Watt said referendums should only be used for massive concerns because it costs as much to run one as it does to run an election. He said that more could be done to reach out to residents, though, like having surveys on the township website.

WARD SYSTEM The next question came from a resident who was frustrated that council had eliminated the ward system despite “overwhelming support” for it, claiming that 90 per cent of residents who had provided feedback supported the ward system. The resident was also frustrated that, when residents told council to undo the decision, the municipality fought them at an appeal hearing. The resident asked Continued on page 21

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022. PAGE 21.

Candidates address voting, transparency issues Continued from page 21 if the candidates would support a motion to study the benefits and problems with the ward system and have a third-party review.

Wilkins said she would be in favour of it, saying different wards have different needs. Blake agreed, saying council needs to work for the people.

Miltenburg said the problem was, primarily, a lack of communication.

She said that, when she was first elected in 2014, then-Reeve Ben Van Diepenbeek said the ward system didn’t work and she agreed.

She said it might be an unpopular opinion, however she has asked at conferences and the vast majority of council members from other municipalities are either happy with a wardless system or unhappy with wards.

Miltenburg also said that ACW doesn’t have a budget that reflects a ward system.

When the municipality was amalgamated, she said, it came under one budget, which means there is no true ward system in place as far as governance goes. She said wards could make sense for other municipalities like North Huron which has area-rated expenses for Blyth, East Wawanosh and Wingham. She did say, however, that North Huron seems to have governance problems citing the significant number of people running for Mayor and North Huron’s relations with neighbouring municipalities.

Fisher said that you get less conflict without wards because everyone is working towards a common goal instead of working for a specific area.

Snobelen said that, in 2018, she ran as an at-large candidate and it required a significant effort to connect with residents across the municipality. She said that was a good thing and compared herself to Miltenburg who was acclaimed because no one ran in her ward.

Miltenburg agreed, saying she didn’t have to visit ratepayers the same way that anyone who was facing other candidates had to.

Snobelen also asked where the 90 per cent response had come from, eventually pointing out that the resident who posed the question was talking about 90 per cent of 60 respondents, or 90 per cent of just over one per cent of the municipality.

Hickey said he was open to discussing the issue, while Forster said he had originally voted against it, but didn’t know how easy it would be to transition back to a ward system.

Vanstone said he was open to going back to the ward system, but did say there were those in support of the wardless system who would have to be consulted as well.

Watt said the wardless system is the fairest way to run an election and the municipality, saying it gives everyone a chance to vote for all possible candidates. He said he wasn’t opposed to a study, but that it likely wouldn’t change his mind.

OFFICIAL PLAN CHANGE Candidates next had to explain their stance on a specific change to the official plan that removed a requirement for developers to provide communal water on developments that are five lots or larger. As a result, one resident said, there would be 300-400 new wells drilled into a development near Port Albert, which could have a negative impact on water quality and security.

Incumbents Vanstone and Miltenburg both said the change was suggested by the Huron County

Planning and Development Department and an engineer’s recommendation.

Miltenburg explained that, to go against the planning department leads to appeals, which cost tax dollars to back it up. She said she wasn’t willing to use taxpayer money to argue with a county planner.

Vanstone had a similar sentiment, saying that he isn’t an engineer, so he and other council members need to rely on professional consultants to provide accurate information.

Forster said he feels there should be a communal sewage system in the area, but said the cost was “out of this world”, which is why he supported the move.

TRANSPARENCY Candidates, at the request of a resident, next presented their plans for increased transparency and communication for the municipality going forward.

Vanstone said the easiest way for residents to get involved in the decision-making process is to contact council members. He said people call him all the time and he brings that information forward, then gets back to the residents. He said that all council members should do the same.

Snobelen said she asks a lot of questions as a way of getting answers and having the system be transparent as possible. She said that improvements to communication, however, would be handled by the municipality’s recently-hired communications expert. She did say she would also support initiatives like moving meetings to St. Helens or Benmiller once a year to encourage participation.

Wilkins said she feels communication the world over is worse now than it “used to” be, citing people being on their phones or too busy. She said people should write letters to the municipality.

Forster, following Vanstone’s example, encouraged residents to call councillors, however Miltenburg said she wanted to be more proactive, through projects like the kiosks that are now at municipal buildings. She said active outreach is necessary.

AGGREGATE PROJECTS Candidates next discussed their stance on future aggregate projects in ACW, with incumbents explaining that much of those decisions aren’t made at the council table.

Fisher said aggregate removal licenses aren’t issued by the municipality, but she would support a province-wide study regarding the practice since aggregate removal can put stress on communities.

Miltenburg agreed, saying the province controls most of it and that the municipality had lobbied more than once for impact studies around the issue. She said part of the problem is that anti-aggregate issues come in waves, so once one licensed pit has been dealt with, council doesn’t hear from people again until another is proposed. She said it was a tough fight, however, as she didn’t feel it was right to spend tax dollars fighting the province.

Watt said the municipality has received legal advice saying council’s hands are tied, while Vanstone said council has sent letters asking the provincial government to clean up the associated acts.

TOWNSHIP OFFICE The municipality’s recentlyrenovated town hall was the focus of several comments throughout the night, and one resident asked

candidates why it was such a priority.

Vanstone explained that the municipality needed more office space not just for current staff but for future staff as well. He said that, 20 years from now, the building should still suffice. Fisher said the build made sense as, thanks to grants and reserves, the municipality didn’t have to take on debt to finish the project.

VOTING SYSTEMS Candidates next dealt with the move to digital and phone voting, with one ratepayer pointing out the service didn’t help the Amish community.

Miltenburg explained that, four

years ago, the municipality decided to try phone and internet voting, and, knowing there would be an issue for Amish voters, staffed St. Helen’s Hall and provided a phone line so that the Amish could vote.

“In those two days, nine people came in and two people voted and none of those nine individuals were Amish,” she said.

Prior to that, she said, candidates made their way around to the Amish community with phones or helped get Amish voters to community phones.

Blake, however, felt the poor turnout represented the municipality turning a blind eye to a significant issue.

Moderator Todd asked if any of the Amish community members would speak to the issue instead of being spoken for, and one representative said the Amish would prefer the paper ballot system.

Forster pointed out, however, that the mail system used for that isn’t perfect, as many ballots came in after the election. He said it could be tried again, but there would need to be planning to avoid that issue.

Candidates also handled complaints about the digital phone system at the municipal office and the township splitting out the responsibilities of the clerktreasurer into different jobs.

Outstanding Cam Cook, left, won the Jim McGee Volunteerism Award last week for his work in the Belgrave community. The award is presented annually by the Belgrave Community Centre Board. Jim’s children Rob, right, and Courtney Brown, not pictured, made the presentation. Cam was a good friend of Jim’s and the nomination says Cam epitomizes a quiet, selfless willingness to step up for his community, whether it’s making the ice for the arena or volunteering at its many fundraising events. (John Stephenson photo)

Rural Health Lecture Series Tues October 11 @ 12:00 pm Register at: www.gatewayruralhealth.ca

Disruption and the Workforce: Experiences of Employees and Employers during the COVID-19 Pandemic This lecture series presents findings from the Be Well Work Well Huron - Perth research study that takes a look at how rural communities and local businesses, as employers and employees, in Huron and Perth Counties have been uniquely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

Dangerous drivers passing stopping school buses PEOPLE AROUND WALTON

By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

And then the month was over.

The time has flown by and it is hard to imagine that the first month of school is “in the books” haha! Only nine months to go, or 168 more days! The first couple of weeks on the bus was an adjustment for the kids. They were excited to see friends and talk to them, so staying in their seats was tough. Now it is time to settle in and follow the rules. Parents can remind their children it is for their safety to remain seated and stay out of the aisle. A sudden stop could see your child thrown through the air and be injured. Follow the instructions of the driver immediately, stay seated and everyone will stay safe.

Has everyone seen the new amber flashing lights on the buses. They are a warning that the bus is going to be stopping for child pick-up very soon. Do not try and pass the bus either from behind or if meeting, because you are in a hurry.

Children are excited and you are endangering the lives of these children if they enter the roadway.

Yes, they are supposed to wait for the flashing red lights and for the stop arm to come out, but are you sure they are going to? Don’t take a chance on a child’s life. Slow down and be prepared to stop. During the first four weeks of school, there has been reports from one or two drivers each week of vehicles not stopping and going through the flashing red lights. I have had two drivers race to get by the bus while the amber lights have been flashing.

Slow down and even stop. Put the safety of children first.

Congratulations to Gerry and Brenda Wheeler celebrating the joy of their youngest daughter’s wedding on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Brianne Wheeler became the wife of Paul Fannon at the beautiful Hessenland Inn. The wedding of about 130 guests included special guests of siblings Brent and Caroline, Blake, Luke and Lauren Wheeler from Grande Prairie, Alberta and Brooklyn and Billy Raney from New Hampshire. A large contingent of the groom’s family and friends attended from Toronto. Many of Brianne’s university friends from Waterville, Maine also attended.

The ceremony was held at 4 p.m. in a beautiful outdoor area of the venue. Following the service, the group gathered indoors for cocktails and then enjoyed a lovely dinner and dancing. Friends and a few relatives from Brussels attended, including Brad and Christine Knight, Randy, Donna and Natalie White, Bob Rowe and Colleen, John and Merilyn McDonald, Mary and Frank Stretton, Brian and Candace Deitner, Bill and Tammy King, Jim and Diane Wheeler and family,

Have an opinion?

Write a Letter to the Editor and let us know. Send your thoughts to info@northhuron.on.ca

Doug and Cathy Wheeler and family, Karen Knight and husband Pete, David and Nicole, Zen and Tascho Freeman and Mark and Laura Freeman, Joe and Deb Seili, Colleen (Aitcheson) and husband Jack Willis, Kate Aitcheson and Janelle Bondi. The newlyweds will be residing in Toronto.

Congratulations to Brianne and Paul.

Dona Knight and other members of her Knight family have been busy during the past month.

Brianne’s was the third wedding for the family in four weeks. Karen Knight’s two sons both have been married in the last month. Zen Freeman’s was the first wedding held in London for the family then Mark Freeman was married at the top of Boler Mountain two weeks later, followed by Brianne’s. Wow! Of course, that means three new outfits for Dona! Congratulations to all!

Congratulations to Shane and

Ashley Ryan on the birth of a son.

The eight-week early arrival of Jack Ronald was a big surprise for grandparents Mike and Cathy Ryan.

Great-grandparents are Gerry and Anne Ryan. We hope the little one is doing well and the parents are adjusting to the tiny little man.

Congratulations and our hope and best wishes to them.

I checked in with our local folks who have family on the east coast to see how they fared after Hurricane Fiona hit. Liz Sholdice reports that Randy and Cathy Fischer in Summerside, P.E.I. just had branches down around their area from the winds. Weldon and Joanne Black in Quispamsis, New Brunswick also just had debris from the winds. Janine Knight in New Brunswick also had no personal damage.

It has been just a great week of weather since last Saturday and the farmers are hard at it. Mornings have been cool and on Monday

there was frost in the morning, but by afternoon, combines were in the fields. Even by Monday night, travelling the roads, one could see that field after field had been combined. Again a reminder to slow down with big machinery on the road! Drive safely!

St. John’s Anglican Church and Michelle McCutcheon Blake would like everyone to remember the needs of others. This fall, as you are getting out your winter coats, boots, gloves, blankets etc. and find they don’t fit, you can give someone in need some warmth. Donations can be made by contacting Michelle or an Anglican Church member.

Celebrating birthdays this past week were Fannie Somers, Cindy Carter, Mary Ann Grobbink, W. Doug Mitchell, Annette McCutcheon, Helen Craig, Gerry Rijkhoff, Michelle Dalton, Christopher Blake, Chantelle den Dekker, Melva Fraser, Bryce Shortreed, Matthew Shortreed,

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NEWS FROM WALTON

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022. PAGE 23.

Cleon Martin

519.591.5342 nutrientplans@gmail.com

Agriculture

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Brussels Livestock report

Heifers sell steadily at weekly local sale Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending Sept.

30 were 2,060 cattle and 628 lambs and goats.

On Tuesday, fed steers and heifers sold steady. Choice steers and heifers sold $177 to $187.

Second-cut cattle sold $168 to $176. Aged and medium-fed steers and heifers sold $135 to $165.

Holstein steers and heifers sold $104 to $147. Holstein cows sold on a fully steady market. Beef cows sold on a higher market.

On Thursday, veal sold on a strong active trade at higher prices. Lambs sold higher.

Goats and sheep sold steady.

On Friday, calves sold on a strong active trade at higher prices.

Yearlings sold strong and steady.

Grass-type cattle sold higher.

George Hinz, Monkton, consigned seven head. One gold heifer weighed 1,375 lbs. and sold for a price of $187.

There were 275 cows on offer.

Beef sold $101 to $135; good holstein cows, $98 to $114; medium holstein cows, $75 to $99.

Bull sold $119 to $152.

There were 135 head of veal on offer. Beef veal sold $201 to $230 with sales to $239; good holsteins,

$190 to $218; SL heavy holsteins, $180 to $203; heavy holsteins, $180 to $199; medium holsteins, $160 to $175; plain holsteins, $130 to $160.

Reuben S. Martin of Wallenstein, consigned nine head. One limousin heifer weighed 890 lbs. and sold for a price of $239.

John and Cheryl Bennewies of Bornholm, consigned three head.

One holstein steer weighed 710 lbs. and sold for a price of $218.

Lambs under 50 lbs. sold $212.50 to $310; 50 - 64 lbs., $241 to $350; 65 - 79 lbs., $272.50 to $299; 80 94 lbs.,. $227 to $295; 95 - 109 lbs., $200 to $240; 110 lbs. and over,

$189 to $200.

Sheep sold $100 to $275.

Goats: billies sold $150 to $400; nannies, $100 to $250; kids: meat, $300 to $375; dairy, $230 to $300.

Samuel Sherk of Wroxeter, consigned 19 head. Ten lambs averaged 79 lbs. and sold for an average price of $299.

Top quality stocker steers under 400 lbs. sold $277 to $340; 400 499 lbs., $288 to $327; 500 - 599 lbs., $258.25 to $317; 600 - 699 lbs., $269 to $307; 700 - 799 lbs., $245.75 to $280; 800 - 899 lbs., $244 to $257.25; 900 - 999 lbs., $245.75 to $253.75; 1,000 lbs. and

ACW changes road activities bylaw

By Denny Scott The Citizen

Despite some concerns from ratepayers and councillors, Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (ACW) Council voted to remove Section 4 of Bylaw 21-2001 which regulates activities around roads.

Section 4 of the bylaw outlines that “All coniferous trees, hedges and windbreaks must be situated a minimum of 20 feet from township road allowance property line.”

During Council’s Sept. 20 meeting, ACW Public Works Superintendent suggested the removal of Section 4, saying it

Clean-up!

The Lake Huron Coastal Centre hosted the Great Goderich Shoreline Clean-Up fundraiser recently, which saw volunteers of all ages help tidy the community’s beaches. (John Stephenson photo)

over-reaches the municipality’s right and that it’s difficult to enforce.

Warden Glen McNeil, in starting the conversation, agreed, saying the municipality shouldn’t be responsible for private land. He said that the 66 feet between the two extremes of the road allowance was all the municipality should be concerned with.

McCarthy, in his report, said that township staff have been requested to remove coniferous trees that were in contravention of the bylaw, but found that they weren't causing any problems with public safety or maintenance, so it wasn’t necessary.

“The issue with the wording of this section is that it establishes an additional 20-foot setback from the road allowance which is already 66 feet wide,” McCarthy said in his report. “Staff have anecdotally noticed that this bylaw is being contravened regularly, especially in settlement areas.”

He went on to say that Section 7 of the bylaw already allows staff to remove trees, brush or debris that cause problems with safety, maintenance or construction, so Section 4 isn’t necessary.

“Staff recommends removing Section 4 as Section 7 performs the same action without mandating a setback onto private property,” McCarthy reported.

Wilbee to lead church service PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE

By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188

Sincere sympathy is extended to Joan and Doug Cloakey and Paul and Tracy McArter in the loss of their brother Murray McArter, who passed away Sept. 23.

The guest speaker was Murray Scanlon, Licensed Lay Worship Leader at Knox United Church, Belgrave on Sunday, Oct. 2.

Gloria Wilbee is the guest speaker on Sunday, Oct. 9.

Everyone is welcome.

A vendors’ market will be held on Sunday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the Belgrave Community Centre. It will include a silent auction with all proceeds going to the Belgrave Community Centre Board.

Best wishes to Bill and Doreen Taylor on their wedding anniversary on Oct. 11.

We had a heavy frost Sunday evening. The leaves are starting to change colour. Take a walk and enjoy what Mother Nature has done.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend. Remember to keep up your guard against COVID-19 as we choose to continue to wear a mask when we are in a group, wash your hands, sanitize and keep your distance.

Together we can limit the spread of the virus.

Councillor Bill Vanstone asked if that meant McCarthy could cut back trees at corners that block sightlines, saying he knew of several in the municipality.

McCarthy said that he could.

Earlier in the meeting, ACW resident and OPP Officer Kayla McCabe spoke to council, saying she would like to see an engineer’s input on the bylaw before it was approved. She said that planting hedges, trees or windbreaks close to the road is a safety issue and that, in her professional experience, road users travelling 40 kilometres an hour may not have time to stop when children or animals are on the road.

Despite McCabe’s concerns, and some councillors saying the issue should be reviewed, council did pass the bylaw which removed Section 4 from the bylaw.

BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd.

UPCOMING SALES TUESDAYS 10:00 a.m.

Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows

THURSDAYS

9:00 a.m. Drop Calves 10:00 a.m.Veal 11:30 a.m. Lambs, Goats & Sheep

FRIDAYS

10:00 a.m. Stockers Visit our webpage at: www.brusselslivestock.ca email us at: info@brusselslivestock.ca

Call us 519-887-6461

Home Cooking for the Holidays Do your friends come to you for cooking advice and ask (or beg) you for your delicious recipes?

Well, we want your recipe too!

Send in recipes for your favourite holiday meals, desserts, appetizers, sides or cocktails, and be featured in The Citizen’s upcoming special section on December 2, Home Cooking for the Holidays. This section will feature tons of delicious recipes from talented readers like yourself, just in time for holiday

Mail your recipe(s) to:

The Citizen PO Box 429 Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 or email them to info@northhuron.on.ca

NEWS FROM BELGRAVE

over, $225 to $248.50.

Top quality stocker heifers, 500 599 lbs. sold $219.75 to $266; 600 699 lbs., $215 to $236.25; 700 - 799 lbs., $206.50 to $223.50; 800 - 899 lbs., $207.75 to $227; 900 lbs. and over, $185 to $203.50.

Ralph Bauman of Dobbinton, consigned 38 head. Eighteen black heifers averaged 832 lbs. and sold for an average price of $227.

Jim Stewart of Kenilworth, consigned 28 head. Thirteen black heifers averaged 895 lbs. and sold for an average price of $212.25.

Kevin Horsburg of Holstein, consigned 35 head. Fourteen gold steers averaged 981 lbs. and sold for an average price of $252.50.

Gary Zehr of Newton, consigned 15 head. Ten charolais steers averaged 940 lbs. and sold for an average price of $253.75.

Be sure to include your name with your recipe.

Deadline for submissions is November 18

PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

Classified Advertisements – RATES – 20 words or less only $8.00 + HST. Additional words 20¢ each + HST.

DEADLINE 2 p.m. Tuesday Phone 519-523-4792 e-mail: info@northhuron.on.ca

Articles for sale Articles for sale Help wanted GERBERS FIREWOOD SERVING you for over 10 years. Your number one source of quality slabwood and bodywood. Delivery available. No Sunday calls. 519-656-2057, 519441-2085.

01-50p --------------------------------------------

Auction

Auction

CLEARING AUCTION SALE Of Tractors, Equipment, Shop Tools and Miscellaneous Items

To be held for Fred and Karen Uhler

Saturday, October 15 ~ 10:30 AM 7 km East of Brussels or 13 km West of Newry on Newry Road EM# 44136 Tractors: MF 3120 autotronic 4wd cab, WHITE 2-105 FIELD BOSS 2WD cab (not running), LEYLAND 384 diesel cab, MASSEY HARRIS 44,1948 Ferguson(runs nice).

Equipment: NH 315 HAYLINER small sq. baler (bought new), NH 489 haybine, NH 56 side rake, NH 25 forage blower, IH manure spreader (used for wood), Case IH 4500 cult w/finger harrows, IH 720 16" auto reset 4 furrow plow, IH 3 furrow 3ph plow, 1 furrow 3ph plow, IH 4 row corn planter, IH #10 seed drill w/grass seed, NH 717 SUPER harvester w/ 2 row corn head, NH 451 dyna balance 3ph mower w/ extra knife (good), Lucknow 7 ft single auger snow blower, TRIPLE K 3ph corn scuffler w/rolling shields, ALLIED 8 ft 3ph cult, older 7 ft 3ph cult, 10 ft sprocket tooth packer w/4 ft pups, 9 ft land packer, Tunco 225 bu gravity box on double reach running gear, Smoker 32 ft bale elevator w/ electric motor, George White 20 ft skeleton bale elevator w/electric motor, bale stoker, 6 section diamond harrows w/steel stretcher and other diamond/chain harrows, ALLIED 32 ft 6" pto grain auger on transport w/boot, 3pt post hole auger, 7 ft 3ph scraper blade, 6 ft x10 ft hydraulic dump trailer w/ 1ft sides, 5- older 16 ft flat rack wagons, older 13 ft wheel disc, MF 130 manure spreader, Cunningham hay crimper and 2- forage blowers ( spreader, crimper and blowers all for parts).

Horse Items, Silo and Straw: approx. 1919 buggy (nice), 2 seater pony wagon (was used in parades and fairs), 3ft x5ft pony wagon w/tongue,1 furrow riding plow, small set of chain harrows, set of leather team pony harness, 40ft x 20ft slab silo w/chute and fill pipe (to be dismantled and removed by purchaser), 8" and 9" silo pipes,17-3ft x7ft lg sq bales of straw.

Antiques and Collectables: old buggy wheels, buggy jack, wooden wheel barrel, hay fork, lg wooden ladder, can hook, old gas can, scythe, 2-old tricycles, old insulators.

Miscellaneous Items: FARM KING hammer mill w/electric motor, CATTLE MANS' choice 7 ft x7ft feeder wagon, round bale feeder, utility dump wagon, Caldwell floor aeration system (came out of a 19ft steel granary), cement mixer w/electric motor, TROY-BILT rear tine tiller (good), belt driven buzz saw on steel wheels, gas pressure washer, Homelite 8hp gas generator, Homelite 2500 5hp gas generator, CRAFTSMAN table saw, DELTA cut off saw, drill press, quantity of power and hand tools, 4-poly water troughs(various sizes), 4-steel gates, fence posts, fencing wire, T-rail posts etc, bolt and nuts,1-solar fencer and 2-electric fencers, battery charger, 34ft aluminum heavy duty ext. ladder and other ladders, logging chains, 3-round bale feeders, mics lumber, 3-round hog feeders, quantity of new engine oil, STIHL gas string trimmer, tool boxes, AC welder, hand grass seeder, lg. cattle dehorners, shovels, forks, and other useful items too numerous to mention. Four wagon loads.

Plan to attend, owners retiring Lunch Booth TERMS Cash or cheque with proper I.D. No debit or credit cards. No buyers' premium.

Proprietor & auctioneers not responsible for accidents, injury, or loss of purchase.

Verbal announcements take precedence over advertising.

Auctioneer Bill Horst (519) 577-0011

Thinking about quitting?

TOLL-FREE

1-877-513-5333

FIREWOOD FOR SALE, $70 split, $50 unsplit. Pick up only. 519-3572999.

40-2p -------------------------------------------REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. All are in colour. 4x6 – $5.00, 5x7 – $6.00, 8x10 – $10.00. Phone to order 519523-4792 or 519-887-9114. tfn -------------------------------------------THE CITIZEN IS AVAILABLE TO purchase at these locations – Auburn Co-op, Auburn Esso, Belgrave Variety, Blyth Variety, Blyth Food Market, Blyth Ultramar, Brussels Foodland, Brussels Variety, Clinton Convenience, Clinton Foodland, Fogal’s YIG in Wingham, Wingham Mini Mart, Seaforth Foodland, GT Mini Mart in Seaforth, Fincher’s in Goderich, Goderich Victoria St. Shell and The Citizen Blyth.

Coming events THANKSGIVING BAKE SALE AT Brussels United Church on October 8 starting at 10 a.m. Pies, muffins, biscuits, and more are waiting to be shared.

39-2 -------------------------------------------DRIVE-THROUGH BEEF SUPPER Saturday, Oct. 15, 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Blyth United Church. Order ahead by calling 519-525-0025. Adults, $25; 6-12, $10; under 6, free. 40-2 -------------------------------------------FACTS IS HOSTING A WOMEN’S clothing exchange at the Trinity Anglican Church, Friday, Oct. 14 from 7 to 10 p.m. Clean out your closets and trade in for new-to-you items. For information go to www.factsblyth.ca 40-1 -------------------------------------------WINGHAM HOSPITAL RUMMAGE Sale at the Wingham Legion, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2-6 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 13, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Seasonal clothing can be dropped off Wednesday until noon at the Legion. Pickup of articles, call Lois 519-357-3326. Articles needed are seasonal clothing, small household items, books, toys, puzzles, etc. No furniture or electronics please. Support your local Wingham Hospital Ladies Auxiliary.

40-1

Help wanted SEASONAL HELP REQUIRED: Monoway Farms is hiring for the upcoming harvest season. Full- and part-time (days, weekends, evenings). Experience with farm equipment is an asset. Competitive wages. Interested persons can forward a current résumé to monowayoffice@gmail.com 38-3 -------------------------------------------GENERAL FARM LABOURER required: Monoway Farms is currently accepting applications for general farm labour (barn work and/or field work). Full- or part-time hours, some weekend work is required. Experience in the swine industry is considered an asset but we are willing to train the right candidate. Permanent position with competitive wages and benefits available after three months for fulltime workers. Interested persons can forward a current résumé to monowayoffice@gmail.com 38-3 --------------------------------------------

Help wanted

BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK has an immediate opening for part-time barn helper positions We are looking for dependable, energetic individuals who are seeking part time employment. Experience with livestock handling is preferred but not required.

We are seeking individuals with a good attitude and a willingness to learn. Afternoon shift positions are currently available.

Please call 519-887-6461

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Snow Plow Operator – Full Time Relief Snow Plow Operator - Casual Visit the Township of Huron-Kinloss website to view this employment opportunity. www.huronkinloss.com/en/townhall/careers.aspx

Municipality of Huron East

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Daycare Teacher/Kitchen Assistant Vanastra Early Childhood Learning Centre The Municipality of Huron East is seeking a motivated and dedicated individual for the position of Daycare Teacher/Kitchen Assistant at the Vanastra Early Childhood Learning Centre. The responsibilities of the Daycare Teacher/Kitchen Assistant include, but are not limited to: •

•

Aiding Teachers in the direct supervision of children in a safe, nurturing, inclusive and socially competent environment through the implementation of planned programming.

Aiding in the preparation of meals and snacks for the children attending the Centre.

The ideal applicant should possess a secondary school diploma and a minimum of one year experience in early childhood education. Experience in food preparation, Safe Food Handling Certification and RECE considered and asset. Up-toDate Immunization Records required.

Interested individuals should submit their cover letter and résumé by no later than 4:00 pm on October 21, 2022 to: Candice Seulal, CYW, RECE, BASc., Manager of VECLC Municipality of Huron East, PO Box 610 Seaforth, ON N0K 1W0 or by email to: daycare@huroneast.com A complete job description is available by visiting the Huron East website https://www.huroneast.com/en/townhall/employment-and-volunteering.aspx.

We thank all who apply, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

In memoriam BERNARD, Howard. September 30, 1938 - October 10, 2017.

Those we love don’t go away, They walk beside us every day.

Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear. – Joan, Mary Ann, Dianne, Cindy and families.

40-1

All word ads in The Citizen classifieds are put on our webpage at www.huroncitizen.ca

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022. PAGE 25.

Mayoral candidates tackle issues in Brussels

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Huron East Mayoral candidates Bernie MacLellan and Nancy Craig once again debated the issues of the day, this time in Brussels last week ahead of this month’s municipal election.

Avon Maitland District School Board Trustee candidates Deborah Logue and Dennis Valenta were also on hand to say their pieces, as was Jeff Newell, the acclaimed Brussels Ward Councillor who is new to municipal politics.

Long-time municipal consultant Nigel Bellchamber chaired the meeting.

Newell spoke first, saying he has lived in Brussels for 17 years and that his main focus and reason for getting involved is recreation. He has worked in recreation and facilities management in both North Perth and Bluewater and says it was the community pulling together for the Brussels 150th Homecoming that pushed him to get more involved.

He volunteered for that event and wanted to give back to his community, which is why he put his name forward as a councillor.

Newell and incumbent Councillor Justin Morrison have both been acclaimed to the two Brussels Ward Councillor positions, with incumbent Zoellyn Onn withdrawing her nomination after Morrison and Newell put their names forward.

Craig introduced herself, saying she’s a political scientist and a business owner in Seaforth. She said she wants to champion the connection between tourism and economic development to bring

people to Huron East.

MacLellan heralded the work of Huron East Council in recent years, including the first phase of the new development in Brussels and the renovation and expansion of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre.

Logue, who lives in Brussels, championed her work with youth at many levels, including in jails, shelters and her current position as the executive director of Victim Services of Huron County.

Valenta returned to an anecdote he shared the previous night in Ethel about schools encouraging children to identify as cats, suggesting the school would next be providing litter boxes for them.

This conspiracy theory has been widely debunked both locally and farther afield.

Valenta said that his 40-year career of driving a truck fulfilled a lifelong dream of his, but at no point did he think he was a truck, which is why he decided to run for a school board trustee position.

Monique Baan asked the candidates about the ward system and council representation, detailing the diverse landscapes in Huron East and its many rural areas.

Craig said she was in favour of keeping the ward system, but that she felt there were too many councillors, suggesting that a municipality of Huron East’s size should have about seven representatives, rather than 11.

MacLellan said it’s no secret that he has lobbied for a smaller council for a number of years, but said that at the end of the day, he is just one of 11 votes and council has to be in favour of such a change.

Hilary Machan asked about taxes in Huron East, saying she had reviewed the municipality’s budgets of recent years. She disputed Craig’s claim that taxes in the municipality are far too high, instead saying that they are among the lowest in the county and that, on a $300,000 residential home, taxes had risen under $10 in recent years.

When compared to other municipalities, she said, Huron East’s taxes are very reasonable.

Craig stuck by her position, saying the taxes in Huron East are outrageous and citing conversations she has had with residents who agree with her.

Onn, who was in attendance as a current councillor and Brussels voter, asked the candidates for one concrete promise they could make for the coming term.

Newell said he would be doing everything he could to support the renovation and expansion of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre and the continued expansion of recreation in the village.

MacLellan said he wouldn’t be promising a thing because he knows he’s just one of 11 votes. He did say he wanted to see continued development in Brussels, expanding beyond the first phase of the current subdivision project.

Craig said she would be following through with the creation of three Boys and Girls Clubs in the municipality - one in Brussels, one in Vanastra and one in Seaforth, Egmondville and Harpurhey.

Valenta vowed to take action in the event of any soiled litter boxes at area schools, while Logue said she could only promise to give it her all in representing the residents

News from the Gentlemen’s Club with the Kansas Farmer Special correspondent to The Citizen as curated by Paul Nichol

B

eing as how silly season is now in full swing, I covered the town council nominations meeting held in Brussels the other night.

Now, sometimes these meetings are as dry as Frankie Alcock’s mouth on a Sunday morning, but this one had lots of pep. So here are the facts (as I see them).

For starters, Cal Krauter was very quiet for a change. He was slowed down to 160 words per minute. He said the major accomplishments of council last year were to raise their own salary and appoint a dog catcher. Well, the only dog caught was Walter Scott’s poor old Bozo.

Everybody knows Old Bozo moves slower than Carl Graber coming to fix your step, or Bill McWhirter coming to fix your fridge.

Herb Stretton spoke about the medical centre, the work he has done, and the work he is doing.

Krauter could not address this subject. He hasn’t done any work for 40 years because he leaves everything to his poor slaves Howard Bernard and Ralph Triebner.

Roy Cousins looks more the diplomat. He has to be diplomatic to handle his job while putting up with that poor excuse of a son-in-law.

Ted Elliot, our new aspirant, made a nice speech. He looks like a councillor who would play the game. However, if he doesn’t play it any better than he does euchre, he won’t be much good to us.

Jack McCutcheon appears to be

the best looking of the bunch with the most sex appeal, but Hank TenPas looks as if he knows more about how to use it.

Finally, there’s Ivan Campbell.

Now, I don’t like how a nice person like Betty has to put up with a man nt

eme

enc

m Com

Deadline October 7

like that. But one thing’s for sure. As a politician, Ivan’s not two-faced. If he was, he sure wouldn’t be wearing the one he has on now.

Don’t forget to vote!

Truthfully yours, TKF.

WHO’S LOOKING AT YOU?

dy Rea r Get Winte r Fo

Deadline October 28

Call or email our marketing specialists today!

519-523-4792 ads@northhuron.on.ca

Kevin Deitner asked about Craig’s proposal to buy and sell foreign currency as a moneymaking venture for Huron East, saying that, as a ratepayer, it would scare him if that was being done with his money.

Craig said she had connections within the industry that could help make her vision a reality, disputing information from Deitner and MacLellan saying that it’s illegal for a municipal government to buy and sell foreign currency in such a manner.

Alicia Deitner recounted her experience in meeting Valenta when he called upon her house during a campaign visit. She said she had proven Valenta’s litter box claims to be false within 10 minutes of him leaving her home by sending a few messages and making a few calls to those working within the Avon Maitland District School Board.

Furthermore, she said that diversity, equity and inclusion are now points of pride within school boards and businesses around the world and that acceptance and support is needed for students.

By Bev Craddock The Majestic Women’s institute met after their summer break.

Majestic members and guests participated with a scrapbooking class hosted by Bev Craddock.

Greeting cards, gift tags and photo pages were created. After projects had been completed, snacks and drinks were enjoyed. Everyone showed off their completed work.

We look forward to hosting more classes in the future. Guests left and the meeting was called to order by Co-President Kathy Bridge.

Minutes were read by Secretary

Marie McCutcheon and business was completed. Treasurer Janet Haertel reported a successful quilt draw again this year thanks to the community support. New business and institute updates were reported and after the singing “O’ Canada” the meeting was closed.

Majestic WI meets

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Citizen-To-Citizen “SWAP SHOP” ad “One person’s junk is another’s treasure”

Let us help you turn that junk into $$ • Free ad up to 25 words, person to person only (no businesses), items valued at $1,000 or less. Price must be included in your ad.Your ad will run three times unless it sells faster!

• The Citizen reserves the right to limit the number of items or ads per person.

Call 519-523-4792 or email: info@northhuron.on.ca

Deadline October 21

Put your business in front of the RIGHT eyes!

The Citizen has special interest issues coming up.

4-H

of Huron East and beyond.

Former Huron East Mayor and Brussels Ward Councillor Joe Seili said he was concerned with the restructuring of municipal committees and boards, many of which were doing good work at a low price point. He asked candidates if they would be willing to revisit that debate and potentially reinstate committees if they felt there was a need to do so.

Craig said she would be willing to look into it, while MacLellan said the debate at the time was a tough one to have, but that ultimately council made its decision.

Onn asked about Craig’s Boys and Girls Club proposal and who would be running the clubs. She also asked Craig if she was aware that Brussels was already home to a thriving youth service group in the form of the Brussels Leo Club.

Craig said she was not aware of the Leos, but that they could potentially be incorporated into her proposed Boys and Girls Club, which drew groans from the crowd as people said Brussels was happy with its Leo Club.

t Les rget Fo We

Deadline November 4

FOR SALE - one fold-up bicycle, 20" wheels, great for camper, boat or SUV, $45 firm. Phone: 519-5270734.

40-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - set of four winter tires with rims, Michelin 225/65/R17 off a 2019 Mazda CX5, $500. 519-523-4909.

40-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - 24 western pocketbooks, $20; pair of binoculars, $20.

519-357-9467.

40-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - 30" 10.5 hp Yardworks snowblower with electric start, 3 years old, like new, $500. 519-524-6554.

40-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - platform rocking chair, real good condition, plaid cushion back and set (aqua/mauve/ pink colours), $50. 519-357-1691 evenings.

39-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - fall colours handpainted framed (23"x19") pictures, $30. 519-357-1691 evenings. 39-3 ------------------------------------------

FOR SALE - new furnace blower fan, great shop fan, to move air or furnace, retails for $500, $300 firm.

Can email photos, Belgrave 519356-4304.

39-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - cord wood, white ash, you pick it up, $75/cord. 519357-6258 in Wingham.

39-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - 15 True West magazines from 1960s, just like new, $8 each. 519-357-9467. 39-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - pair of men’s skates, size 10, $50. 519-357-9467. 39-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - Wingham area, Safety 1st folding mesh playpen with carry case, excellent condition, $25. Call 519-357-2768.

38-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - 20 ft. piece of 4" pipe for sale, $5/ft. 519-345-2902.38-3 ------------------------------------------

PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

Aylward to lead Thanksgiving Sunday service

The thought for this week comes from Khalil Gibran: “Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.”

Don’t you just wonder sometimes where people find the topics for a survey? Or why they bother with such things? I found the results of a survey in the Saturday edition of the Toronto Star which is kind of amusing. The header for the item reads: “Unvaccinated Canadians are more angry, poll finds.”

The poll found unvaccinated Canadians more angry about six main issues than the vaccinated.

The issues? Both levels of government, the economy, personal finances, societal changes and major news stories were polled. The story gives percentages of anger for the various issues between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated.

Why having that protection should influence one’s anger is a puzzle to me.

It might be fun to consider the people around us in terms of this survey. It might also explain the anger Ottawa experienced earlier this year.

Although done very quietly, likely to not upset Canadians, the major credit card companies in Canada recently gave companies, like grocery stores, permission to charge buyers a fee to use their

credit card to pay for their purchases.

As you realize, a store/vendor pays a fee to the credit card company every time you/they use credit for a purchase. Which is why some stores resisted for a long time to offer credit purchases. It cuts further into their profit margin, especially on small purchases. But eventually they had to give in as fewer and fewer people were carrying cash. But, on a chocolate bar, for instance, perhaps they make no money on a credit purchase.

The article I read suggests the major food chains have deferred from this at this point but it might be wise for people to be aware.

Who knows when it might slip quietly onto your till tape? Smaller, more local stores admit they can’t risk adding this charge as it would cost them customers. Another reason to think again when

shopping locally and when to actually use that card.

Licensed Lay Worship Leader Sue Barnett led the morning worship at Londesborough United Church on Oct. 2. Her message reminded those gathered that with even the smallest amount of faith, like a mustard seed, nothing is impossible. With faith in God and trust in ourselves, persons can face the most difficult of times. Her supporting scriptures were Lamentations 3:19-26; 2 Timothy 1:1-14 and Luke 17:5-10.

A beautiful basket of flowers, complete with musical touches, was left on the communion table by the family of Gail Lear, whose funeral was held in the sanctuary the previous day. Keep this family and Gail’s many friends in your prayers in the coming weeks.

Rev. Aylward will be present in the pulpit for Thanksgiving Sunday.

The Oct. 16 service will be a 60th anniversary service presented by the Londesborough United Church Women. Plan to attend both services.

The UCW will hold their October meeting the following evening, Oct. 17. A speaker from the Huron County OPP will attend that evening to speak about scams.

Everyone in the community is invited to attend. Gathering for coffee and treats begins at seven.

The Londesborough Lions Club will hold a breakfast at the Community Hall on Oct. 16 from 811 a.m. A donation-only event, funds raised will assist Huron County’s Ukrainian Refugees.

The Clinton Horticultural Club had a speaker at their recent meeting from Bluewater Recycling.

Joan Addison, who has been an advocate for recycling for many years, was at that meeting. She called me to say she was appalled to find she had been doing some things wrong because the process has seen some changes. After talking with her, I realized we probably all have made some errors with our attempts to

help the climate, environment, etc.

When we include items not acceptable for recycling, those items can shut down and/or damage the equipment. There is very little hand sorting taking place these days. All of us are trying to recycle and the amount to be processed is staggering. Not everything we think should be recycled has a market.

Right now, as so many of us close down our gardens and get rid of those planter pots, remember they are not recyclable. Try returning them to garden centres.

Here is an example. There is a difference between pop cans (yes) and aluminum pans (no) and this can be confusing. Not everything that is glass, metal, plastic or paper can be recycled. Your soap box can be recycled but not your milk carton because of the difference in the makeup of the container. A plastic bottle may be recycled, but not its metal cap. And, I believe, every company doing recycling could have different rules.

The best thing to do to eliminate making a mistake is to consult the BRA’s website at www.bra.org or call 519-228-6678 or the company in your area.

NEWS FROM LONDESBORO

The Citizen Terry Fox Run Hullett Central Public School students, proudly wearing badges highlighting those they ran for, participated in the Terry Fox Run last month. From left: Braya Frey, Keryn Dale, Hailynn Greidanus, Sierra Lehmann and Carali Hugill. (Denny Scott photo)

519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114

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SUDOKU Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles?

Then you’ll love sudoku. This mindbending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022. PAGE 27.

Obituaries

HIELKE ROETCISOENDER Hielke Roetcisoender passed away peacefully at Huronlea Home for the Aged, Brussels, on Wednesday, Sept. 28. He was in his 95th year.

Hielke was the loving husband of Teresa (Siertsema) for 70 years and the father of Tony (Wendy), Albert, Suzanna (Vern) Hewitt, Jeff (Kim) and Richard (Patricia). He was the grandpa of Cody Roetcisoender, Jesse (Bekki) Roetcisoender, Tiffany (Jordan) Doig, Travis Roetcisoender, Krista (Shawn) Scott, Jason (Kaitlyn) Hewitt, Tammy (Corey) Voisin, Tom Hewitt and Robin Matheson, Melissa Roetcisoender and Jack Gibbings, Kurtis Roetcisoender, Katelyn Roetcisoender and Jake Moore, and Gregory (Allison) Roetcisoender and the great-grandpa of Huxley, Hendrix, Harlow, Evelyn, Emma, Parker, Mason, Myles, and the late Lyla (2022).

Hielke was the brother of Klazina de Boer. He will be especially missed by the Siertsema family, many friends and neighbours.

Hielke was predeceased by parents Tonnis Roetcisoender and Suzanna Zeldenrust, sisters Geertruida van Dijk, Sytske Vries, and Antje Nienhuis.

Hielke was born in 1927 and raised in the Netherlands, in the province of Gronigen, near the small town of Eenrum. He had four sisters, two older and two younger, which is kind of interesting because Hielke went on to have five children only the opposite: two boys, a girl and then two more boys.

Hielke’s family lived on a farm.

They had cows, chickens, horses and grew potatoes and sugar beets.

It was during the harvesting of potatoes that a young Hielke suffered a farming accident that almost cost him his leg. His leg was almost severed, but thankfully the doctors were able to save it.

At age 12, the world changed.

World War II began. Hielke told us that more than once, German soldiers came to their farm and demanded food, eggs and milk.

Hielke’s father became part of the underground resistance. Two British pilots were rescued and hidden in their barn, along with others. It must have become known, because one day Hielke’s father was picked up by German soldiers while out on the street and taken to a German prison. Hielke didn’t know if he would ever see his father again.

This left Hielke as the man of the family. He continued to help his mom and sisters run their farm the best they could. Although now the German soldiers would come in the night with flashlights and get them all out of bed. They would measure how tall Hielke was. The soldiers were convinced Hielke was old enough to be in the army because he was tall for his age. Thankfully Hielke’s mom kept his papers close by so that she could prove his age.

Hielke told us of a day he will always remember. It was in April 1944, a skeleton of a man arrived at the farm. His father had returned.

He had escaped from the German prison and had walked home.

Finally, the war ended and Europe began to piece itself back together. Hielke was 17, turning 18.

A few years later, he attended an agricultural school. It was there that he made a couple of very good friends. It was through these friends that he met a young girl by the name of Gertrudina Siertsema.

In 1950, Gertrudina told Hielke that her family was moving out of the country. Her father had found a sponsor in Canada, where there were more opportunities for their family. Hielke was very sad. But Teresa, as she became known, promised to write him letters. And she did.

Hielke missed her terribly and begged his mother and father to let him go to Canada. But Hielke was their only son and they wanted him to stay and farm. Finally, after much persistence, he convinced his mom and dad to let him go in hopes that he would return.

Once Hielke had his passport, he found the first ship that was leaving for Canada. The first ship was leaving from Paris. Hielke packed his suitcase and grabbed his bike and boarded a train to Paris, France where he got on a ship and sailed to Montreal, Canada. Hielke didn’t speak French or English and he was all by himself on this journey.

Once he arrived in Montreal, he found a train that took him to London, Ontario. Once in London, he found a taxi driver and pulled out a letter that Teresa had mailed him. He showed the taxi driver the return address on the envelope. So the taxi driver loaded Hielke’s bike in the trunk of the car and Hielke jumped in the backseat with his suitcase, and they headed for Ilderton.

The day Hielke arrived in Ilderton was a Sunday. And as they drove into the town, Hielke noticed a group of children walking down the road. Hielke recognized them. They were the Siertsema children. He told the taxi driver to stop and Hielke jumped out of the car. Teresa was not with her siblings that day.

The children were walking home from Sunday school and Teresa had been asked by a friend to come for lunch. Imagine the surprise on her siblings’ faces when they saw Hielke. The taxi driver pulled Hielke’s bike from the trunk and Hielke grabbed his suitcase and walked home with the Siertsema children. Later that day when Teresa arrived home, her mother met her at the door and said, “You have a visitor.” Teresa came into the house and there was Hielke. She couldn’t believe her eyes.

The next day, Teresa’s father asked around to see if anyone knew of a farmer who needed a helper.

Sure enough, there was a young farmer and his family that lived closer to Coldstream who could use a hired man. Good job he brought his bicycle, as it was about a 10minute drive in a car from Ilderton.

So Hielke went to live with the young farmer and his family and worked as a hired man. It was the young farmer’s wife who helped Hielke to learn English and it was his boss who taught him to drive in Canada and helped him get his driver’s licence. His boss was nice and let him borrow the farm truck

once he got his licence to visit Teresa.

But then Teresa broke the news to Hielke that her family was going to move again. Teresa’s father had the opportunity to own his very own farm. The farm was in a small town called Blyth. Which was about an hour’s drive north; a little far to ride his bike. But again his boss let him borrow the truck to visit Teresa on weekends.

Hielke decided he needed to make things permanent. He looked for a job in Blyth. And he found one working on a farm one concession north of Blyth. The farmer provided a house to live in. Hielke and Teresa were married on Dec. 20, 1951 in Clinton. Hielke and Teresa did journey back to the Netherlands to celebrate his marriage with his family. Once Hielke and Teresa came back to Canada they settled into working and trying to save money.

Hielke also had a dream. He wanted to buy a farm. Over the next six years, both Hielke and Teresa worked a few jobs to save enough to put a down payment on a farm.

They worked in Exeter at a hatchery and at the Exeter cannery. Then Hielke found a job in Wingham at Lloyd Doors that paid better. He and Teresa moved to Wingham.

Both Teresa and Hielke worked in the factory, but Hielke found that the dust bothered his lungs and he couldn’t work in the factory, so they found him a job outside.

Finally, in 1957, they started looking for a farm. And they found one just north of Blyth on St. Michael’s Road. They started with a few dairy cows and Hielke milked them by hand. This is where they started their family of five children, Tony, Albert, Susie, Jeff and finally Richard.

Working on the farm was hard work and everyone in the family helped. This instilled a good work ethic in all of their children. Slowly the farm grew; more cows, more acres, more work. Everyone helped with morning and evening chores.

And summers were filled with baling hay and straw.

As the children grew up, Teresa decided it would be nice to have a little getaway from the farm, so they purchased a seasonal trailer at Family Paradise campground. They could spend their weekends not too far from the farm and the boys were old enough to stay home and could take turns doing the chores. It worked well.

Then they sold their seasonal site and purchased a new fifth-wheel trailer and began to camp at Whispering Pines near Owen Sound and they continued to camp at Family Paradise. Hielke enjoyed visiting with fellow campers and going searching for treasures at garage sales. This became a favourite hobby for Hielke. He loved to search for interesting finds.

He liked to talk to people and negotiate a price.

Once the kids had all grown up and found their paths in life, Hielke decided it was time to sell the dairy herd and the quota. He switched to beef, a cow/calf operation. It was less demanding and still allowed him to work on the farm.

Then, in 1991 at the age of 64, he decided it was time to sell the farm.

He had found a nice house in Auburn that included an extra building that he could use to house his hobby, buying and selling his treasures, and it is here that he

enjoyed spending the majority of the last 30 years. It is here that he made many friends and watched his grandchildren and now greatgrandchildren return to visit.

We have many great memories of Hielke we can look back on. He loved to tease the girls and make funny comments and if you knew Hielke he did not like long visits or sermons. He would not appreciate this long story. He liked short visits.

And when you were about to leave, he had a popular saying that I will share as I wrap up this long story, “be sure to go straight home now.”

Friends and family were invited for visitation at Riverside Funeral Home, Blyth Chapel on Friday Sept. 30. The funeral service was held on Saturday, Oct. 1 and interment was at Blyth Union Cemetery. Alex Jebson officiated.

In lieu of flowers and as expressions of sympathy, donations to the Clinton Hospital or the War Amps would be appreciated.

Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca.

THOMAS A. MCGLYNN Tom McGlynn passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. He was in his 55th year.

Tom was the husband of Tammy McDougall, Stanley, New Brunswick and the beloved son of Eileen (Ernewein) McGlynn, Huronlea, Brussels.

Tom was predeceased by his namesake Thomas McGlynn (1974) and his brother James McGlynn (1978).

Tom was the beloved brother of Cathy (Steve) Howson, Blyth and Anne (Brad) Bender, Wroxeter and the cherished uncle of Meagan (Nick) Cicchini, Port Edward; Holly and Brenden Howson, Blyth and Kelsay Wagler (Jacque Deslaunais), Listowel.

He was the great-uncle of Reid and Grace Cicchini, Port Edward, Raelynn Magliocco, Paisley and Oakley Deslaunais-Wagler, Listowel.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 2 - 6 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Wingham. There will be a convoy of transport trucks in memory of Tom by his friends. Anyone wanting to be a part of this, contact Steve Clark at 519-357-6339.

Donations to the North Huron Community Food Share would be

appreciated sympathy.

as

expressions

of

JOHN ECKERT John Eckert of Seaforth, passed away peacefully at Mitchell Nursing Home, on Sept. 28, 2022 He was 71.

John was the dear brother of Cathy Martin (Joe), Kitchener Waterloo; Connie Murray, Dublin; Elaine MacDonald (Bob), Mississauga; Mary Garon (Raymond), Clinton, the late Bobby Eckert (Christa), Seaforth and Margie Mahoney (Dan), Blenheim.

He will be fondly remembered by his many nieces and nephews and missed by his friend Jack.

John was predeceased by parents Claire (O’Hanley) and Conrad Eckert, and brother-in-law Arthur Murray.

John was a hardworking, dedicated, life-long dairy farmer in McKillop Township. He was very conscious of the environment and took care and pride of nature on his farm.

In keeping with John’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial mass will be held at a later date. Interment will be at St. James Cemetery, Seaforth.

Arrangements were entrusted to Haskett Funeral Home, Seaforth.

Donations to Epilepsy Canada or the Canadian Mental Health Association would be appreciated by the family. Condolences may be forwarded through www.hasketfh.com.

STRATFORD MEMORIALS Creating Memories in Stone for Over 95 years

Call or email to make an appointment.

Masks are preferred for meetings.

519-524-8457 email: mfalconer@stratfordmemorials.com

Goderich/Clinton Michael Falconer Memorial Counsellor www.stratfordmemorials.com

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PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

Cool Clear Water Glimpses of the Past with Karen Webster With the mere flick of the wrist, one can turn on a tap and be rewarded with a stream of clear water, either hot or cold. This simple action in today’s world would be thought of as nothing less than a miracle by the early settlers of this area.

It is no accident that so many of the first settlements were sited along bodies of water. The rivers and streams would be the first sources of fresh water for human and animal consumption. Cattle and horses could be situated so they could get their own water. People would have had to carry buckets to the nearby stream and then carry the water back to the dwelling. Water is heavy, at 11 pounds per gallon, and the amount of water required for cooking and cleaning would make this an onerous task. Sometimes, a spring could be located nearby. Some sort of cribbing would have to be formed around the mouth of the spring to facilitate the scooping of water from it. Even today, some people have their own sources of aqua vitae from such springs. Two of them are located near Auburn and passersby may still see people at them filling up their jugs. Probably there are more springs in the local vicinity that could be enumerated.

The next step in the process of getting reliable water would be to dig down into the earth to find the water table. When driving through the rural countryside, have you ever wondered why some farm buildings were located quite close to the road

while others stood a lot farther back on the property? The likely answer would be that the source of water dictated the most suitable location.

How to find that water? Digging a number of test holes would be one way. Another would be to engage the services of a water witcher or douser. These are individuals who, with the help of a forked branch from a tree, can locate a likely place to dig for water.

The February 1992 issue of The Rural Voice profiled Merv Dow and Bill Lamport, both from the Exeter area, as successful water finders.

And from the Wingham Advance Times in 1947, came the report that Robert Anderson, aged 86, a former Turnberry Township man, was still able to divine where water could be found. Some folks strongly believe in this practice and others do not.

Once the site for hand digging a well was chosen, the hard work began. Only one person could dig at a time because of space restraints.

Once the hole was four feet deep, a second person was needed to send down a bucket on a rope for the earth to be hauled up to the surface in order to deepen the hole. The sides of the dug or shallow well needed to be reinforced using planks as curbing or cribbing. Because the temperature of water down in the ground is around 40°F, the shallow well was also used as a place to keep milk and butter cool.

The shallow well was not without drawbacks. If buckets were thrown down on a rope to scoop up water,

there was a risk of contamination to the water. The sides of the well had to be built up to prevent runoff from rains going down the well. There was always the worry that children or animals could fall into the well.

Diseases such as diphtheria were associated with improperly maintained wells. Once a cap was placed over the top and a hand pump installed, these dangers were minimized.

The bottom of the pump consisted of a casing, with a sucker rod inside, down in the well. The top body of the pump had a spout and a four-foot wooden handle, which when pulled up, forced the sucker rod to descend to the check valve down in the water and then pushed down to bring a volume of water to the spout.

While this was a great improvement over carrying a bucket

to the creek, it was also labour intensive.

The next refinement of the process was the inclusion of a windmill. This step also employed the casing, sucker rod and check valve system.

However, a four-sided tower was erected over the well that had, at the top, a large wheel with tilted sails where it could catch the power of the wind. This large wheel rotated according to the wind speed and through a series of gears the circular motion was translated into an upand-down pull on a long shaft. The wheel had a vane attached that would turn it to the most optimum direction to catch the wind.

Windmill machinery could be disengaged at the times when water was not required. There would also be a hand pump that could be used to obtain water in times when wind power was not available. Windmills are still being manufactured as there is a market for them, especially on the farms of the Amish and Mennonites.

As time went on, progress brought the gasoline engine to power the pump and then the advent of

electricity advanced the process of obtaining water even more. In 2022, rural wells are not dug by hand, but rather are drilled by companies such as W.D. Hopper and Sons Ltd. or Steffen Well Drilling. Underground pipes and pressure systems carry water right into houses and barns for almost instantaneous use.

Obtaining water has come a long way in 180 years or so. Imagine the surprise of a pioneer woman if she could see the “pot filler tap” installed behind the kitchen range, bringing water right to the cooking surface with very little effort on the part of the person doing the cooking!

Local Coverage Where You Work, Play & Live

Homestand continues Continued from page 1 major and a gross misconduct).

The second period saw Goderich’s Drew Wilken serve a two-minute interference penalty followed by Wingham’s Wettlaufer, who served a two-minute tripping penalty. Flyer Ethan Pearce then went to the box for slashing (two minutes) followed by Wingham’s Becker, who was called for interference (two minutes).

The third period saw three penalties: a two-minute highsticking minor called against Kyler

Patterson of Goderich, a twominute tripping penalty called against Wingham’s Wettlaufer and, at the end of the game, a twominute unsportsmanlike penalty called against Goderich’s Lee. The Flyers continue their sevengame home stretch with games against Walkerton on Oct. 7 and Kincardine on Oct. 14. The action starts at 8 p.m. each night.

For more information, visit the Ironmen website online at winghamironmen.pjhlon. hockeytech.com.

Catch up on sports, shopping deals, restaurants, events, new businesses, politics, job openings, homes for sale, cars for sale and more with your local newspaper!

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022. PAGE 29.

From the Minister’s Study

Has your name been written in the book of life?

By Jason Hovius Brussels Community Bible Chapel “Who shall put his finger on the work of justice, and say, ‘It is there.’ Justice is like the kingdom of God: it is not without us as a fact; it is within us as a great yearning.”

George Eliot The idea of justice is universal, although how it looks and is practised differs between cultures. I have never met anyone who would say they don’t want justice done around them. This explains the popularity of the concept of Karma, which has its roots in eastern religion but nevertheless appeals to our innate desire for balance and fairness.

Justice in Hollywood usually involves an element of revenge.

This might make for good movies, but this idea does not make for a better world. I am often surprised at the lengths people go to get revenge on someone. They will go out of their way, costing themselves time or money or even reputation in order to gain the “satisfaction” of getting even. There are even revenge tactics that are wrong and distasteful yet considered socially acceptable, like gossiping, or like taking a personal and private wrongdoing into the public sphere in order to humiliate them or exalt ourselves as innocent. It takes a person of humility and good character to be able to live and let live. Romans 12:21 says that to take revenge is to be overcome by evil.

Taking vengeance is dangerous for many reasons. Firstly, it fuels the fiery cycle of hate and hurt, which doesn’t help either party. If you feel like the victim and you want to increase your suffering, plot revenge. If you’d rather appear resilient and strong, ignore the crime and move on. If you want to have joy and peace and to live like Jesus did, do something nice to the perpetrator. It’ll blow their mind, and they might even feel their forehead getting hot over the matter, according to Romans 12:2021.

Secondly, the victim feels the hurt, and often overdoes the revenge as a result. It’s harder to look at something objectively when you’re in pain. You might say something like, “An eye for an eye hardly seems enough considering what he/she made me go through!”

The irony of it all is that sometimes we might have done exactly what the other person did to us if we were in their shoes.

Thirdly, taking vengeance into

our own hands is against the will of God, who says “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (Deuteronomy 32:35). A friend of mine recently told me that often the desire for revenge stems from a lack of faith in the fairness of God’s judgment. We get scared that someone’s going to get away with whatever they did. We don’t have to be deceived, because our allknowing God has books with very accurate records. Like Abraham, we should be able to say, “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

(Genesis 18:25) At the end of time, there will be what John calls a great white throne of judgment. In John’s vision he saw the dead standing in front of it.

There was no escape for the cremated or for the drowned or for the long-decomposed or for the great or for the small; all were there. John saw books being opened, and then, in the same breath, he tells us of another book that was opened, which he calls the book of life.

There was a simple test for every soul. If someone’s name was not found written in the book of life, then the records of their deeds were checked according to what was written in the other books. The finality of God’s judgment is very sobering: “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)

Welcome Your New Arrival in

The Citizen

Sunday Oct. 9, 10:30 a.m.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Pastor Ernest Dow, “Rich Treasures Offsetting Serious Struggle” (Col.1:24ff)

The Regional Ministry of Hope Weekly service live-streamed at 10:30 a.m. on our facebook page or on youtube @St. Paul’s-Trinity Anglican Church Wingham.

The­Regional­Ministry­of­ Hope www.regionalministryofhope.com 519-357-7781 email: revjoann@hurontel.on.ca

Trinity

St. John’s

BLYTH 9:00 AM

BRUSSELS 12 NOON

St. Paul’s Trinity

WINGHAM 10:30 AM

Come Worship with Us!

BRUSSELS

United Church Join us for THANKSGIVING worship Sunday, Oct. 9 at 11 a.m.

All are welcome Oct. 30 - Blyth/Brussels joint worship Guest speaker: Foodgrains Bank Contact Alex at minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com Website: brusselsandblythuc.ca P.O. Box 359, Brussels ~ 519-887-6259

MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS

Sunday, October 9 We extend a loving welcome to all who would like to worship God together with us!

Children are most welcome too!

Join us every Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. for lunch. This free meal is made possible by the Brussels’ churches and many volunteers working together to serve our community. All are welcome!

For pastoral care concerns please call 519-524-7512

Blyth United Church The outreach project for October is Huron Hospice

Wednesdays 1 p.m. Women’s Bible Study, 7 p.m. Prayer Meeting

Live and online! live.huronchapel.com 119 John’s Ave., Auburn 519-526-1131

Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Come Worship With Us Sundays at 10:00 am All Are Welcome 250 Princess St., Brussels • 519­887­6388 • Pastor Ken Gazley

Sunday, October 9 at 10 a.m.

BMG Community Centre (upstairs room) 800 Sports Drive, Brussels **Please note our new location** Childcare provided for children aged 0 to 4 during the sermon

Worship and Prayer Time Loving Fellowship Expository Preaching

For additional details please visit: brusselscommunitybiblechapel.com

Sunday, October 9 for our 10:00 am service and Monday, October 10 for our Thanksgiving Service at 10 am Services are live-streamed and can be found by searching “Blyth Christian Reformed Church”

BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen Hwy. 4, Blyth 519-523-4743 www.blythcrc.ca

9:30-10:30 a.m.

Sunday Service is at 9:30 a.m.

Nursery & Sunday School available during worship

mercy from God for men and women all around the world who have believed in Christ’s atonement. Their names are written in the book of life. “The second death has no power over them.”

(Revelation 20:6) This is no St. Peter at the pearly gates joke. The book of life will be examined for your name. Is your name written there? Trust in Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice for your sin before it’s too late.

Call or email to book your ad today 519-523-4792 info@northhuron.on.ca

SOUP & MORE 2 RETURNS! Evangelical Missionary Church

It’s funny how we all want justice until we’re in the wrong, and then we want mercy. Normally, justice and mercy don’t belong together, but they meet very nicely at the cross of Calvary. On the cross of Christ, sin was dealt with in a way that satisfied God’s justice. This is the meaning of the word “propitiation” in the Bible (eg. some translations of 1 John 2:2).

God’s satisfaction with His Son’s sacrifice for sin means richness of

"Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.

Let your gentleness be known to everyone.

The Lord is near.”

(Philippians 4:4-5) Contact Alex at: minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com

Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churches blythunited@tcc.on.ca ~ 519-523-4224

THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH

OUR CHURCHES HAVE RE-OPENED. WELCOME BACK. Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday ~ 6:00 p.m.

17 Flora Street Wingham: Sacred Heart Sunday ~ 9:00 a.m.

220 Carling Terrace Listowel: St. Joseph’s Sunday ~ 11:00 a.m.

1025 Wallace Avenue N. Facebook: Search for St. Joseph/Sacred Heart/St. Ambrose Live Sunday Mass, Sundays at 10:00 a.m.

PAGE 30. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

Taste of Huron program returns this month

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

Huron County and Tourism Development Officer Rick Sickinger are relaunching Taste of Huron this October, a popular foodand-drink-focused tourism initiative that dates back to 2009.

At the Sept. 21 meeting of Huron County Council, Sickinger presented his vision for the return of the program. He said Taste of Huron was launched in 2009 until the 2011 tornado in Goderich forced the cancellation of that year’s events. Taste of Huron wouldn’t come back for several years until Community Futures Huron and Huron County Economic Development brought the brand back with a revamped website and self-guided tasting tours throughout the county.

“Culinary tourism continues to be a strong tourism trend and a trip demand generator. As a result, we

have seen increased interest and requests from visitors and the local tourism industry to increase the visibility and strength of the Taste of Huron brand as an important part of our tourism strategy and Ontario’s West Coast brand,” Sickinger said in his report to council. “In 2021, with funding provided through Community Futures Huron, Huron County Economic Development began working on a refreshed website for Taste of Huron. The new site, tasteofhuron.com, soft-launched in August and will be heavily promoted throughout the fall as the home site for information about the new Taste of Huron app, as well as the series of in-person events happening in October, 2022.”

Sickinger also told council that the new Taste of Huron app was made possible through a Rural Economic Development (RED) grant from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural

Affairs. A pilot version of the app launched late last year with a more robust version of the app scheduled to be released this month.

“The app works using geolocation technology to reward app users with points when they visit the location of one of the listed local food and beverage locations.

When users have collected a set number of points each month, they are automatically entered into a draw for an Ontario’s West Coast local food experience.

Downloading and use of the app will be promoted as part of the marketing for the Taste of Huron events happening in October,” Sickinger said in his report.

Thanks to funding obtained from Regional Tourism Organization 4 (RTO4), Taste of Huron will be returning to in-person events next month.

• Huron Harvest Tables: Nine farm-to-table restaurants in Huron County are confirmed to participate

in the Huron Harvest Table program. Prix Fixe menus are being created from local produce.

Three-course dinners will be available from Oct. 13-23 for $55 per person. Suggested pairings with local beer and wine products are being promoted as part of the menus.

• Taste of Huron Night Market: Working with the former coordinator of the Goderich Makers Market Night Market, there will be a Taste of Huron Night Market on Friday, Oct. 7 on the south plaza of Courthouse Square.

Vendors will include the makers (crafters/artisans), local beer, wine and food suppliers and familyfriendly entertainment.

• Goderich Farmers’ Market Thanksgiving Edition: Taste of Huron is working with the Goderich BIA to add specialty programming during the regular Saturday Farmers’ Market on Thanksgiving weekend. Canadian

cookbook author Deirdre Buryk will present a food demonstration using a recipe from her new cookbook Peak Season and local chef Connor Flynn will talk about fermenting with products, such as cabbage (sauerkraut, kimchee) and beets.

The third demonstration with a chef is still to be confirmed.

• Oktoberfest on Ontario’s West Coast: Oktoberfest kicks off at the Exeter Farmers’ Market on Friday, Oct. 14. In partnership with the Exeter BIA, Taste of Huron will provide entertainment that’s sure draw the community to the market as Walter Ostanek, Canada’s Polka King, takes to the stage to add a little more Bavarian flare.

Metzger’s sausage will be available for purchase alongside samples from some of the county’s wine and beer producers.

Oktoberfest continues on Oct. 1516 when local wineries and Continued on page 32

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022. PAGE 31.

Reeve candidates, talk neighbour relations, taxes Continued from page 14 reeve to take that stance. He said the structure has been condemned for 38 years and that “cement doesn’t get better, it gets worse.”

He said each previous council has turned a blind eye to it, and this council decided to do something about it.

Seip said he was an advocate for allowing the community to try and save the dam and that hasn’t and will not change. As long as it’s a community-driven effort and doesn’t require taxation, he is behind it. Markeljevic agreed, saying that anything that can be done for free to benefit taxpayers should be pursued. Bailey also said the township would benefit from it, and he’s in favour of supporting it without tax dollars.

MUNICIPAL RELATIONS Reeve candidate Paul Heffer, followed by those vying for the seat against him, was asked how he would repair relations with neighbouring municipalities, specifically Morris-Turnberry.

Heffer said he would do what it takes, provided council supported that kind of change. He said that, even as reeve, he would only have one vote, but he knows it could be fixed quickly for the betterment of both communities.

Seip said it is a matter of respect and that he would directly ask neighbouring councils what they can give and what they can take. He said inter-municipal issues shouldn’t be handled “in the press” and North Huron needs unity with its neighbours.

Bailey said that there was no bad blood between North Huron and

Morris-Turnberry, citing months of working with Morris-Turnberry Mayor Jamie Heffer on issues at Huron County Council. He said North Huron has made a proposal to Morris-Turnberry regarding servicing that is “sitting on [Mayor Heffer’s] desk” and that negotiations sometimes end with a no. He said there were “no hard feelings” before explaining that North Huron wouldn’t be able to run services to Morris-Turnberry without incurring liability risks without a signed agreement.

HIGH TAXES All candidates were asked why they feel North Huron’s taxes are so high and what benefits do they provide for residents. Van Hittersum responded first saying that taxes are high because of the level and quantity of services the municipality provides, as well as increased expenses like municipal insurance. She said that’s why the municipality is working to service areas like Hutton Heights to create a larger tax base.

Tiffin, referencing Heffer’s earlier comments, said the municipality is “service poor” and it’s trying to provide more services than it can manage. She said she doesn’t know how to change that, but hopes to get the opportunity to be part of a solution for that.

Palmer said the municipality has too many assets, and has since amalgamation. However, he said that going through the budget process as a new councillor can be a “humbling” experience. He said that people may want to make changes, but it’s difficult without negatively impacting services. He

did say he felt the municipality employs too many people. Finally, he said the municipality’s shape, with settlement areas on either end of a long strip of land, made it difficult to provide services throughout.

Hill said taxes are high because amalgamation didn’t provide the reduction in duplication of services that it should have. He said staff were to “be fired” but that never happened. Instead, Hill claimed that more staff had been hired, and suggested nepotistic hiring practices may have taken place. He then repeated his accusation that lands were being sold by the municipality for less than market value before questioning the level of services lauded by other candidates.

Whitfield agreed with Hill’s assessment of the services, saying the quality of services had dropped.

He said that, between the education facilities in town and the hospital, the municipality should be attractive, but it needs more industrial development to grow the tax base and reduce tax burden on individuals.

Boyd said that taxes are high, but the municipality has great services and facilities. She said she looks forward to being on council and helping to find efficiencies to stretch tax dollars.

Wright said that taxes weren’t the problem, as people would never be happy with paying taxes, but that the municipality needs to improve communication about how tax dollars are used. He said people wouldn’t be happy, but they might be satisfied. He also said that

The three Ss Seaforth Huron Harvest’s Sip, Sample and Savour fundraiser was held over the weekend. The age-of-majority event benefitted the Huron Hospice and featured local craft breweries, wineries and distilleries as well as food from local restaurants and caterers and local musical talent performing. Above, Roger Morrison from Grassroots Woodfired Pizza prepares a meal for a hungry diner. (John Stephenson photo)

Happy 65th Anniversary Ken & Dawn White Love and Best Wishes from your Family

was tied primarily to housing struggles, including Van Hittersum, Palmer and Markeljevic, with Seip saying it was more complicated than that.

Whitfield said that he felt some kind of incentive, like a tax-free deal, would be necessary to draw business to the area.

Hill said that lower taxes should be a priority, and that he would end the moratorium on water and sewer services being extended outside of North Huron to encourage development within neighbouring municipalities.

Wright said North Huron needs to be viewed as “welcoming and flexible”, which he feels is currently not the case. He also said that higher density development should be considered as a solution.

Boyd suggested hosting events to attract a labour force and promoting the area to developers.

Tiffin said the municipality is currently sitting on land that can be developed, referring to land that was provided to North Huron in a deal with Morris-Turnberry. Other candidates, however, pointed out the land is privately owned, so North Huron can’t push its development.

Bailey said he had previously worked to bring people “halfway across the world” to work in local factories to address the labour shortage, however those same people are leaving the community due to a lack of residential development.

WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT David and Lori Smith, of Goderich, and Steven and Laurie Sparling, of Blyth, are pleased to announce their children Kaylin Lindsay Smith and Grant Rufus Sparling II were married June 11, 2022, at the groom’s childhood home.

The newlyweds make their home in Blyth.

Vendor Market Sunday, October 16th | 11am-3pM Belgrave Community Centre, 12 Queen Street

•Food Booths• hosted by The Belgrave Kinsmen & Belgrave United Church

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knowing about all the services would be a huge benefit for residents.

Heffer agreed with others that the services North Huron offers are more than the tax base can support, so streamlining is necessary. He said that, as long as councils “balk” at cutting services, taxes will continue to go up. He then said senior staff will need to start showing council how it can save money.

Seip said the question isn’t necessarily what he will do, but what other people are willing to do without. He said the big question is, if people want lower taxes, what are they willing to give up? If the answer is nothing, then lower taxes won’t happen without more residents to pay for them. Bailey refuted Palmer’s and Hill’s assessments of overemployment, saying that that firing staff would just result in jobs not getting done.

He then said that shuttering facilities, specifically arenas, wouldn’t save money either because the buildings still need to be maintained. The solution, he said, is to add more people to the municipality.

LABOUR SHORTAGE The last question of the evening was posed to all candidates, asking how they would attract new development when existing industrial and commercial businesses can’t find the staff they need.

Several candidates said the issue

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PAGE 32. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

Let’s get started Those behind the renovation and expansion of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre broke ground on the project on Monday, capitalizing on months of planning and fundraising to arrive at that point. The project will add six large dressing rooms, heated and unobstructed spectator seating, a new entrance and foyer, a multipurpose gym and several aesthetic improvements. Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan thanks the volunteers and the support of the Brussels community for getting the project to where it is today, including funding from Huron East and Morris-Turnberry Councils, the federal and provincial goverments and the generous support of the community through the Inspiring our Future campaign. Construction is anticipated to be completed next year. From left: Bernie MacLellan, Alvin McLellan, Gloria Wilbee, Justin Morrison, Justin Cronsberry, Doug McArter, John van Vliet, Abi Corbett and Brian TenPas. (Courtesy photo)

Oktoberfest set for Oct. 14-16 Continued from page 30 breweries, 10 confirmed to date, will host wine lovers and craft beer drinkers.

Taste of Huron is partnering each winery with a local restaurant/chef to provide tasty samples from local foods too.

Taste of Huron is assisting each site with entertainment costs.

Tickets are now on sale for a shuttled service where participants will visit three sites on either Saturday or Sunday. Shuttles will begin and end in four areas within the county: Blyth, Goderich, Bayfield and Exeter. Self-guided driving tour maps and passports will also be available.

This program runs from 1 to 5 p.m. each day.

An Oktoberfest concert will take place on Saturday, Oct. 15 at River Road Brewing and Hops in Bayfield. Food trucks and local beer will be available during this concert, which runs from 6-8 pm.

This will be a ticketed event.

• Bounty of the County: Food and Drink Marketplace: The final Taste of Huron event for 2022 will be a Business to Business marketplace at the Libro Hall at the Central Huron Community Complex in Clinton. There will be local food growers and producers there to meet with chefs and restaurant operators to discuss purchasing local products, industry capacity needs, seasonality, new products and more. The rest of the morning will be set aside for

networking time and an industryfocused panel discussion related to local food producers.

An afternoon session will be open for the general public to attend to sip and sample local products too.

The program, Sickinger said in his report, will be covered through funding agreements and the approved economic development department budget.

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