The Paris Independent
6
December 9, 2023
COMMUNITY NEWS Council Briefs – a quick look at the last Council meeting By Casandra Turnbull
A lot can happen during a County of Brant Council meeting. Important topics regarding decisions made affecting your community take place within council chambers. When I started my journalism career, about 20 years ago, a reporter would sit through the entire meeting, sometimes 5 hours long like the case this past week, just to hear a few stories of particular interest. The newspaper’s eyes and ears were vital in small communities to give residents the important details and decisions made at council. While news outlets continue to play that vital role today, access to this type of information is available within a few clicks. All council and committee meetings are recorded and uploaded to YouTube (here). Council agendas (here), including any files pertinent to the delegations at the meeting, are uploaded to the County’s website. Keeping your own eyes and ears on council has never been easier. Seeing firsthand the accountability of your elected officials and how the county operates is available to you from the comfort of your own home. Bookmark these links and follow what’s happening in the
community – it comes as less of a shock when important decisions are made, if you follow it yourself as opposed to hearing about the outcome when it’s too late to weigh in.
Councill agreed passing a motion that 75% of all streets in new subdivisions honour veterans and fallen soldiers. The idea came to Allison while passing through another town, she told Cate Breaugh of the Paris Star back in Understandable life is busy. We 2005. can’t attend (albeit virtually) every meeting. Sometimes a brief This past meeting, council read an synopsis keeps us in the loop of email from local resident Ginny what’s happening. So, here’s a look Moor to name a street after local at some of the items discussed veteran Henry Foster, while the 98during the November 28th, council year-old veteran has a chance to meeting. Find the full video here. appreciate it. Henry was a Naval Veteran of the Second World Ward, VETERAN STREET NAMING one of very few still alive today. If you’re new to town, say within He faithfully attends every the last 20 years even, you might Remembrance Day Service at the not know the full story behind how Cenotaph and is a member of some street names are assigned in Branch 29 Paris Legion. Council town. In 2005, Paris resident Pansy supported the idea to add Henry Allison (deceased) gathered a Foster to the street naming list. petition with over 600 signatures to Continued on page 7 name streets in a new subdivision after local war veterans. Henry Foster (middle) lays a wreath during the Paris Remembrance Day service. He is one of the last remaining Second World War 2 veterans. A local street will be named after him. Also pictured is Donald Macleod (left) and Mark Ford (right). Photo by Michelle Malvaso
