Amalgamation

Small Towns Under Siege

Amalgamation

In the year 2000 an amalgamation took place which combined the Village of Blyth, the Township of East Wawanosh, and the Town of Wingham into the new Municipality of the Township of North Huron.

It was a very unpopular event and as far as I know, the only people who claim that any benefits came of it are members of the resulting councils. In Blyth, I would judge that the majority of the people considered the amalgamation to be a “takeover by Wingham”. Frequent comments like “All the revenues from the Threshers’ Park and Memorial Hall and our taxes are going to Wingham” indicated that. even though people knew about the formation of North Huron, it felt to them as though Blyth was being robbed. Those feelings still exist nine years later.

Amalgamation has taken place. Whether it was a good move or bad, whether we like it or not, there is no point now to complaining about it. There is, however, a very important lesson that we can learn from the process, a lesson that we need to learn.

Amalgamation was yet another example of control moving elsewhere; an example of decisions affecting our community being made outside of our community by people who may or may not share our understanding, our culture, our needs, our aspirations, our history. Not long after amalgamation, the potential hazard from this arrangement became obvious. The new council seemed bent on erasing our unique identity, and treating all three wards as if their historic realities were of no import.

An informal group (the Blyth Idea Group [BiG]) took form very quickly and decided that since council was not doing its job for Blyth, they would form some plans and urge the community and council to support them. The most tangible evidence of this group’s efforts is the street signage around the village. These are not just fancy replacements of drab old signs that went before: they are a revelation to visitors and locals alike of the many assets we have as a village, of the community’s vibrancy, of the things we have achieved over the years by volunteers in collaboration with visionary local councillors. They change the way Blyth was and is now perceived.

The lesson for Blyth is that they need strong representation in the local council, representation by people who know and value the special nature of Blyth and who are capable of communicating that awareness. Furthermore, the people of Blyth need to remain vigilant and watchful to ensure that Blyth continues to thrive and to build on its resources and values.

This is how Blyth can contribute most to the success of North Huron and to the County of Huron.