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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News Record, 2014-01-01, Page 9Wednesday, January 1, 2014 • News Record 9 year in review CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 7 doe restrictions, allowing for advertised events as well as profit sharing for the bride and groom. New Chief Hensall Fire Chief Ken Bruxer took over the job for the Brucefield Fire Depart- ment as well this past year. Bruxer took over from retiring Brucefield Chief, Dave Roy. Bantam highlights The BCH Bantam Local League hockey team also took home WOAA gold this year, after a season record of 37-3-3. The bantams beat Mildmay in four games in the championship round, but had an undefeated streak leading up to the final series. MAY Fire in Seaforth On May 1, we reported on a fire that destroyed the Foodland store in Seaforth, causing about $2 million in damage. The loss of the town's only grocery store was a bit hit to the community, however trans- portation was soon arranged to bring res- idents to stores in Clinton and Brussels. Wind approval A 37 -turbine project planned for the Vama area was approved by the Ministry of Environment this past spring, with gen- erating capacity for 60 megawatts. The Bluewater Wind Energy Centre is one of two projects NextEra has planned for the municipality. The approval came even as NextEra was battling Bluewater's bylaw which set fees of $434,000 per turbine. So long, Holmesville Students and parents at Holmesville Public School spent the year preparing for their move to other schools. Holmes- ville was officially closed as of the end of this past school year, with legacy celebra- tions taking place in June. The Avon -Mait- land school board had been holding tran- sitioning meetings with parents since the closure was first announced in 2012. Race day The Clinton Raceway invested $100,000 for renovations to the horse track this past year, widening it by six feet and moving the winners' circle closer to the grand- stand. The raceway was approved for 20 race days this year, however purse money was 30 per cent less than in 2012. Numbers game On May 8, we reported that Central Huron schools in the Avon -Maitland board will see stable enrolment over the next 15 years. While there were 1,234 stu- dents in area elementary schools in 2013, they predict the number will only fall slightly, to 1,121 by 2027. In the high schools, they see a long-term decline from 610 to 516 students. Meanwhile, the Huron -Perth Catholic board saw an increase in elementary school graduates choosing to go to Catholic high school - 81 per cent over 76 in 2012. No dice on health study The Huron County Health Unit said in May they would not be proceeding with a wind turbine health study unless the lower tiers footed the bill. At the time it was estimated the health unit study could cost $400,000. Fair enough The Clinton Spring Fair moved its indoor displays and ambassador compe- tition into the Central Huron Community Centre this year. The fair is 159 years strong now. Taryn Jantzi was named Clin- ton's 2013-14 ambassador at the spring fair. New recruits The Clinton Family Health Team asked council this year to start putting funds aside for doctor recruitment. The initial ask was for $50,000 with council consid- ering $10,000 yearly over five years. As of our May 22 issue, there were seven doc- tors serving the community. Happy trails The Central Huron BIA, CHCC and REACH Center teamed up with Hullett Wildlife Area to create a walking trail that would connect the natural area to the municipal facilities. The BIA received a $10,000 grant in May from Farm Credit Canada for the trail, which was com- pleted this summer in time for a Canada Day run and officially openend in August. Expansion pack St. Joseph's School received $963,325 for three new classrooms and expansion of the school's two full-day kindergarten rooms. St. Joe's had 211 students regis- tered for the 2013-14 school year, up sixty students from five years ago. Tracking numbers Both Clinton high schools sent athletes to WOSSAA this year after a great show- ing at Huron -Perth regionals. However it was St. Anne's Lexi Aitken who led the pack, making up an 80 metre gap to help the 4x400 relay team finish second. Aitken won the overall title for senior girls, and set new HP records for 100 and 400 metre hurdles. She earned the same title at WOSSAA, with a first place in 400 and a second place in 100 metres hurdles at OFSAA. Central Huron's Mackenzie Josie and Devon Newell competed in OFSAA shot put and 100 metre ambulatory. No thanks, turbines Central Huron Council made the announcement this past May - they were not willing hosts to industrial wind tur- bines. The motion was brought forward by Coun. Burkhard Metzger. A survey conducted by Central Huron Against Tur- bines (CHAT) with more than 500 signa- tures was a large part of the decision. However, the caveat for the motion was that it applied to the GEA style of imposition. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne met with wind protestors outside the REACH Centre March 26. Bluewater budget The Municipality of Bluewater passed a 3.25 budget increase this past year, well below the antici- pated 7.26 per cent. While the levy increase repre- sented almost a five per cent increase, it was reduced due to increased assessment growth. OMB appeal Huron County voted to go ahead with an Ontario Municipal Board hearing on Central Huron's appeal of the county's official plan. Council asked for an adjournment until they could find a planner. How- ever, council was still hesitant of starting a battle they likely would not win. Solicitor Valerie M'Garry offered her services free of charge to the municipality for the appeal. Unreported violence The United Way released a report this past year showing women's shelters in Huron and Perth were at or over capacity more than half the year. The Huron Women's Shelter has been asking for provin- cial funding for a decade. Isolation, finance and opening up to people in close communities are some of the biggest challenges faced by women experienc- ing violence in rural Ontario. Rugby burns The St. Anne's rugby program had a couple feath- ers in its cap this past school year, with the girls win- ning gold at home May 23 before a successful WOS- SAA performance and OFSAA bronze medals. Meanwhile, the boys' team took Huron -Perth bronze. JUNE In concert On June 5, we reported that the St. Anne's concert band earned silver at the MusicFest national compe- tition in Toronto. The Eagles put on a 20 minute show, playing three pieces, competing at the B300 level. Anyone for tennis? Alex Conlon and Jeremy Chisholm are the first ever St. Anne's Eagles to compete in tennis at OFSAA after a gold medal performance at WOSSAA. The pair took bronze at OFSAA, losing just one game in the toumament to the eventual gold medal winners, Bayview Glen of Toronto. NextEra next steps An appeal of NextEra's Bluewater wind project was begun early this past summer, after a June 4 hearing of the Environment Review Tribunal. The REA approval was still in force at the time of the appeal, which began July 2 and lasted 20 days. One door closes, another opens Clinton's Larry Fraser and Dennis Kupferschmidt of Mildmay turned their luck around after a fire at MDL Doors put the two out of work On June 12, we reported how the two started up New Concept Qual- ity Doors in Wingham, employing 20 former MDL employees, working out of the Royal Homes factory. Water drag Council voted to increase water and wastewater rates by one per cent this past June. The decision was based on a March report that recommended a two CONTINUED > PAGE 10 OFFICE HOURS The Office Hours for The Clinton News Record is as follows Mondays - 9am - 5pm Tuesdays - CLOSED Wednesdays - 9am - 5pm Thursdays - 9am - 5pm Fridays - 9am - 5pm Clinton News Record 53 Albert St., Clinton, ON PH: 519-482-3443 www.clintonnewsrecord.com