Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-05-26, Page 1INSIDE THIS WEEK: SCHOOL - Pg. 6 RFP extension request denied by Huron East WI - Pg. 15 Walton Women's Institute marks 60 years SINGERS - Pg. 17 Blyth Festival Singers wrap up 35th season Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON NOG 1H0 4Citiz Volume 32 No. 21 n $1 .25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, May 26, 2016 Drive on The Brussels Farmers' Market officially opened to the public on Friday, as it always does on the Victoria Day weekend. The sold -out market features all sorts of special events throughout the summer to make every visit unique, including a full complement of vendors featuring everything from fruits and vegetables to crafts and woodworking. The market officially opened last Friday with a special ribbon -opening ceremony by Brussels Fall Fair Ambassador Tiffany Deitner, musical accompaniment by the Brussels Legion Pipe Band and wagon rides, courtesy of Wagon Rides with Wayne, shown above. (Denny Scott photo) Blyth Barn Dance this weekend By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen This weekend Blyth will play host to the annual Barn Dance Jamboree and Campout Weekend with plenty to do and see. The Blyth campground opens to all those travelling to Blyth on Thursday, May 26 at 10 a.m. and that night, the first music of the event can be heard at the campers' jam session, which begins at 7 p.m. in the Blyth Community Centre auditorium. On Friday, there will be another jam session in the arena's upstairs, beginning at 1 p.m. At 7 p.m. will be the weekend's annual bluegrass show and open stage, this year featuring Barn Katz Bluegrass. On Saturday, May 28, a musical flea market and silent auction will be open most of the day, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and running until 3 p.m. From noon until 3 p.m. there will be an open stage concert and pre -registration is required. From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., the Blyth Lions Club will be hosting a dinner and advance tickets are required. At 8 p.m. the Barn Dance show will begin, featuring Jim Swan as the event's Master of Ceremonies and the Barn Dance Show Band, which includes Al Alderson on bass, Fred Lewis on guitar, Bill Norris on fiddle, Grant Heywood on drums and Doug Dietrich on steel guitar. Acts taking the stage that night with the Barn Dance Show Band will be Harold Maclntyre, Traci Kennedy, Jack London, Lance Russwurm and John Lester. After the show, those in attendance are welcome to keep dancing the night away until midnight when it shuts down. On Sunday, the Lions Club will again be hosting a meal, this time breakfast, and advance tickets are required for that meal as well. From 10 a.m. until noon, the Gospel Show will take the stage, hosted by Betty Beer. For more information about this weekend's shows, visit the website at www.thebarndance.ca. CH Mayor Ginn to run for warden By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen At Huron County Council's Committee of the Whole meeting last week, Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn became the first representative to declare his intention to run for Huron County Warden. Ginn, who is in his second term as Central Huron mayor, says that a number of things have aligned to make this the right time for him to take the next step in his political life. He first began seriously considering running for the top spot in Huron County six months ago, he said. He had been encouraged to seek the position by a number of people involved with council and with things falling into place in other aspects of his life, he felt the time was right. At the Central Huron level, Ginn says all councillors but one are multiple -term representatives, meaning that Central Huron is currently in good, experienced hands. With the group assembled in Central Huron, Ginn felt council could do a great job representing the municipality if he were to spend more time at the county level for the next two years. He also said that at home members of his extended family are ready to step up and pitch in on the farm, should Ginn be chosen, so he felt the stars had aligned and it made sense for him to declare his intentions. Ginn is the first person to declare he will run for the position. The election will be held this winter and it will be the second term since the two-year term of Huron County Warden was instituted. Current Warden Paul Gowing of Morris- Tumberry was the first, having been elected in the winter of 2014. Before officially making the announcement at last week's council meeting in Goderich, Ginn said he consulted with a number of people, including some of Central Huron's longest -serving councillors about his intention of running for warden and was encouraged with what he heard back. If chosen by his fellow councillors to be warden for the next two years, Ginn says he has a few things he'd like to focus on going forward. Some issues, Ginn said, are always going to be present, like financial pressures and keeping taxes low. So those will be important going forward. He also said that he hopes to focus on several passions of his, including environmental issues and economic development in the next term, should he be elected. In addition to initiatives he hopes to make a priority, there are a few issues on the horizon, Ginn said, that he feels are a good fit with him at the helm. First, he said, it makes sense that a farmer would be warden when the 2017 International Plowing Match is held in Walton. He also feels that ongoing projects like increasing broadband internet connectivity and economic development projects are a good fit for him as well. While much of the warden position is about thinking about Huron County first and the lower tiers second, he said this could be a good opportunity to showcase Central Huron to the rest of the county and beyond. "This would allow me to work more closely with the Economic Development Board," Ginn said, "and there are some pretty exciting things going on in Central Huron." Ginn cited the ongoing initiatives at Windmill Lake and Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company as examples. He also said that with Central Huron's proximity to Blyth and all the exciting projects on the go in that village, Central Huron is well- placed for various future projects. Gowing's current term as warden will end later this year, at which time a vote among Huron County councillors will take place, naming the new warden. Wind turbine study suspended By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen The Huron County Health Unit is putting its previously -announced wind turbine study on hold — and many residents aren't happy. Tyler Hessel, Bluewater Mayor and Chair of the Huron County Board of Health, said the study is being put on hold in order to evaluate what other municipalities and the province are doing. It is an effort to eliminate a potentially redundant study, he said. Hessel said that a potentially - similar study is planned for Grey - Bruce and if that's the case, perhaps a discussion about pooling resources should take place. The study has not been cancelled, he said, it's just a case of further investigation on costs and if any other similar studies exist. As a result of that news, the Concerned Citizens for Health group of anti -turbine residents issued a press release stating their displeasure with the Health Unit's decision. The release states that Huron's Acting Medical Officer of Health Jan Owen had undertaken the study and now that she's no longer with the county, they are disappointed to see the study suspended. "The people of Huron County do not want to become another Flint, Michigan. Health administrators and those tasked with the protection of our health and safety need to see this ground -breaking research through to the end," said Gerry Ryan, a representative of the group. "The eyes of communities around the world who are suffering the same fate as us are watching what happens in Huron County, Ontario. The wind industry is watching and the Ontario government, whose policy this is, is also watching."