Small Halls Festival committee amended to add hall rep

Before passing the terms of reference for the Small Halls Festival on Monday, Clearview council added a seat for a hall representative.

Councillor Connie Leishman moved to amend the terms of reference saying there should be at least one hall representative on the committee.

Avening Hall board chair Bill Hewitt (pictured) had been asking council to include hall representatives on the Small Halls Festival organizing committee after they were omitted from the newest draft of the terms of reference.

Hewitt made a deputation April 11, saying the halls had been an integral part of the development and the success of the festival and they should be a part of the organizational structure going forward.

At council’s previous meeting the terms of reference was deferred so councillors could go back to the hall boards they represent for feedback.

Avening Hall’s board opposed the terms of reference and requested a seat for all hall boards, with two of those being voting positions.

Boards at Station on the Green and Dunedin Hall also opposed the terms of reference, with the former requesting seats for all halls. Brentwood, Duntroon and Sunnidale Corners all said one of the seats should be designated for hall reps and Nottawa supported the terms of reference as presented.

With the amendment, the seven-member committee will be composed of three recreation and culture committee members, one hall board member and three members at large

Councillor Doug Measures, who opposed the amendment, said the halls could seek representation through the regular seats.

“The composition could include someone who happens to be associated with a hall,” he said. “This festival is about the entire community.”

Deputy Mayor Barry Burton said he felt it was appropriate for the halls to have some say.

“Members at large is very loose,” he said. “We need some definition.”

Councillor Deborah Bronée, who also opposed the amendment, said the reason is because hall members may not be fully engaged.

“We want people who have a commitment to the entire festival,” she said.

The third annual Small Halls Festival, will be held the first weekend in October. Events take place at the township’s small halls, the arena in Stayner and in Singhampton (The Singhampton Hall is the only one not owned by the township, it is community-owned).