Township to invite Lucknow chamber to discuss concerns about the village

In response to a letter about Huron-Kinloss Township's failure to properly maintain the streets and services in the Village of Lucknow, Huron-Kinloss council has decided to invite the Lucknow and District Chamber of Commerce to a meeting to discuss these concerns.

The letter, discussed at the township council meeting Sept. 21, states that the chamber wants to invite council to a meeting or walk through Lucknow for the following reasons:
 

• The village is not being looked after properly
• Many residents have contacted the chamber to do something
• Roads and streets are in very bad condition
• Sidewalk at the Sepoy Manor is still unsafe for the seniors to use
• Main street weed control and sweeping are issues
• A general feeling from the chamber and residents that not enough attention and man-hours are placed in Lucknow
• Property on Victoria Street looks terrible and is not safe

'We would also like to discuss future planning for residential and commercial areas in Lucknow," states chamber president Morten Jakobsen, in the letter, adding the chamber would like to conduct this meeting or walk-through on a Saturday morning or late afternoon during the week.

Councillor Jim Hanna disagreed strongly with the comments in the letter.

"We have put a lot of money into Lucknow," he said. "We're doing major capital works there, and we clear the sidewalks of snow in the winter time, which some municipalities don't do."

"This is a pretty general letter," said councillor Lillian Abbott. "There are no specifics here. Some of this work is the responsibility of the landowners; it's up to them to sweep off the sidewalk in front of their stores."

"If we meet with them, we'd get the specifics then, I guess," said councillor Carl Sloetjes.

Mayor Mitch Twolan suggested inviting the chamber to a council meeting instead.

"Let them come here to an open, public meeting," he said. "Then everybody can hear their concerns and we can have a good discussion."

Council agreed.

In other news, the township did not support a resolution from the Municipality of Brockton, requesting Westario Power Inc. make public, copies of all Westario Power board meeting minutes to the respective councils of its municipal shareholders.

"We have a representative (Twolan) on that board," said councillor Don Murray. "If we have concerns, we go through him. If we request the minutes from those board meetings, it's like we're micro-managing things."

"It's a business," agreed Hanna, "and it has to be run like a business. The board member has access to those minutes."

Council defeated the motion.