SOUTH HURON  — South Huron council has given permission to the South Huron Farmers’ Market to move to the Rec Centre for its second season in Exeter.

Farmers’ Market board director Joan Brady appeared before council Feb. 16 requesting permission to move the market to land at the South Huron Rec Centre.

In its inaugural season last year, the market was located at the Gary Bean Securities property at the south end of Exeter.

Brady expressed appreciation for the use of the Gary Bean property last year, but said a survey indicated there were concerns about the location, such as parking, which some saw as a potential safety risk.

The Rec Centre was identified as a property with lots of parking, room for expansion and a chance to use hydro.

Brady said the South Huron Farmers' Market will run on Thursday nights from May to October, with times still to be determined.

Council voted unanimously to move the market to the Rec Centre.

Other council notes:
Rain dampens rodeo
Council approved the transfer of $6,925.75 from the Exeter Rodeo reserve account to the community services budget to cover excess expenses from last August's 13th annual Exeter Rodeo.

Rain once again put a damper on things at last summer's rodeo, and community services manager Jo-Anne Fields reported to council that the event “was once again challenged with wet weather conditions, causing the event itself to struggle financially.”

She did note that “a portion of the refreshment revenue, which is reflected under bar operations of the budget and not the rodeo, profited $8,170.49.

Coun. Cathy Seip said there has been rain for the last couple of years at the rodeo and she wondered if organizers have considered moving some activities inside.

Chief administrative officer Roy Hardy said there have been discussions about revenues and he will pass along Seip's suggestion.

Bridge inspections
Council received from transportation services manager Ken Bettles the 2009 Bridge Inspection Report, done by BM Ross, which inspected the municipality's 81 bridges.

The inspection was to identify safety problems, structural deficiencies, needs, and determine probable costs. The report also lists recommended repairs to bridges by priority.

Bettles reported that the report calls for work of $3,045,800 to repair South Huron bridges over the next four years, or $761,450 annually.

Council accepted the report as information, with Hardy saying the municipality tries to rehabilitate one bridge per year.

Bluewater Veterans Highway
Council lent its support to the Grand Bend Legion in its efforts to designate Highway 21 from Goderich to Highway 402 as 'Bluewater Veterans Highway.'

Lambton Shores Mayor Gord Minielly wrote to South Huron council asking for the municipality's support. Minielly wrote that in 2009, the Goderich Legion successfully dedicated the section of Highway 21 from Kincardine to Goderich as 'Bluewater Veterans Highway,' and the Grand Bend Legion is looking to extend that designation to Highway 402.

The designation would be an honourary title, Minielly wrote, and would not affect 911 addresses of residents living along that stretch of road.

Bluewater council also passed a motion endorsing the Legion’s efforts at its Feb. 16 meeting.