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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-11-03, Page 23THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016. PAGE 23. McGavin, dance team earn gold at world competition PEOPLE AROUND WALTON By Jo -Ann McDonald Call 887-6570 It was another week of decent weather, although many complained it was cold. An extra sweater was all that was needed and it is going to get worse. It was a nice day on Friday and Saturday with warmer temperatures, and as I am writing, it predicts warmer for the coming week. We will take all the warm weather there is. Farmers cleaning up equipment are enjoying the good weather as well and those not completed harvest would like it to stay dry. Many of the fall activities have started as well as some annual events coming up. The Optimist harvest stag and the new Agricultural Society's ladies' night out both happen this month and I am sure both will be a sellout. Christmas parties are starting and the Santa Claus parades at the end of November — time to think of your float ideas and oh yes, Christmas is Unattended fire Fire Department of North Huron firefighters responded to an unattended fire on a farm property between Walton and Londesborough on Saturday. The fire consisted of a pile of refuse which was close to a nearby stand of trees. The fire was put out quickly after the firefighters arrived on the scene. (Denny Scott photo) HE looks at alternative to OPP By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Huron East is investigating the potential costs associated with purchasing police services from the Stratford Police Department. Councillor Ray Chartrand raised the issue at Huron East Council's last meeting in October, saying that policing costs with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) don't look to be decreasing any time soon. The issue arose at the meeting because Huron East had received its annual billing statement from the OPP dictating policing costs for the coming year. While policing costs in Huron East are set to increase, it is a modest (when compared to the increases of recent years) increase of $8,000 across the municipality for the year. Total policing costs for Huron East in 2017 will be $1.513 million, or approximately $350 per household, per year. Chartrand said it wasn't only the rising costs that were driving his curiosity about the Stratford Police, but also the potential for faster response times. With OPP officers coming from Sebringville or Goderich, he said a Huron East resident could be waiting between 30 and 45 minutes for a response depending on the location. With Stratford just 25 minutes down the road, he felt that the Stratford police force may stand a chance of reaching the municipality faster in the event of an emergency. Chartrand suggested that municipal staff contact Stratford Police and obtain a quick quotation on costs, however, several councillors warned that the process wouldn't be that simple. Councillor Kevin Wilbee said that crunching those numbers at the Stratford Police level would take a lot of work and the municipality doesn't even yet know if the force would be willing to expand its reach beyond the Stratford community. Chief Administrative Officer Brad Knight echoed Wilbee's sentiments, saying an extensive amount of research would have to be put into such a proposal. Chartrand, however, felt it was a good idea and thought calling the police department and asking if they'd consider it would be a good place to start. Council agreed and directed Knight to begin investigating Stratford Police and the department's willingness to serve the Huron East community. Knight will report back to council with his findings at a future meeting. Wingham man pleads guilty to dangerous driving charge Continued from page 23 hours of community service and pay $150 in restitution to the church. DANGEROUS DRIVING Peter Dixon of Wingham pled guilty to one charge of dangerous operation of a vehicle after he was spotted driving erratically on London Road north of Blyth on May 24, 2015. Murdoch said that on May 24, 2015 police received a report of a man erratically driving a pickup truck and often swerving into oncoming traffic on London Road north of Blyth. Police responded and located the truck travelling north on London Road. Murdoch said the responding officer immediately observed the truck fall onto the shoulder of the road and veer into the southbound lane for approximately 200 metres, forcing southbound drivers to take evasive action. Murdoch said the driver did not immediately pull over, but instead did so after police chased him for two kilometres. When Dixon did pull over, police found no evidence that he had consumed alcohol or any drugs, although Dixon said he was on methadone. A urine sample proved, however, that there was only a "therapeutic amount" of methadone in Dixon's system and his erratic driving was officially chalked up to "extreme fatigue". Brophy imposed a fine of $1,000 for the conviction, plus a victim fine surcharge of $300. He did not take any action in regards to Dixon's driver's licence, he said, because it is already suspended for medical reasons. now only two months away! Congratulations to Jeff and Sarah Grobbink on the birth of a baby boy, Chase. The new baby will be well loved by big sister Lily and brothers Jack and Parker. Congrats to all. The first of the two hunting weeks with guns will be next week. It is the first full week of November. Bow hunting will stop and the guns will start for the week. The deer are already moving around and can be seen many days near roadways. Be watchful and wary, as deer collisions are certainly common in our area. The Walton Hall was the venue for the 70th birthday party for Joe Dick. There were over 40 people who attended the afternoon get-together. Lots of food for all and many travelled from a distance to celebrate with Joe. Lots of family and golf friends had a nice afternoon. Happy birthday Joe. We send our congratulations to Murray and Olene Dennis on celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. They received lots of well wishes from their family Steve, Laura, Elaine and Peggy and their families. Congrats to Murray and Olene! Congratulations to the area young ladies who travelled to Germany for the worlds dancing competition in jazz, modern and ballet. We understand that Teegan McGavin and her team have danced to gold in the modern division of the competition. Everyone is very excited about the talent of these young ladies and congrats to all. We have not heard how Ava McCutcheon and her team have done but I am sure they did their very best. Take a good look at the new ads for the Meals on Wheels Goes Country being sponsored by OneCare! There is a good looking fellow everyone should recognize as one of the faces of the ads. It's the one and only George Langlois! Always a well recognize gentlemen for his years of service around Brussels, now he is branching out into Huron County! He always wanted to be a poster boy and now his dream has come true! Way to go George! Congratulations to Paul Machan for reaching the milestone of 50 years. A celebration dinner was held at the Blyth Inn for some family and friends and then a night of cards and party followed back at the house. The lights are now burning bright at the former Duff's United Church FROM WALTON and manse as the new owners have moved in. We welcome Al Richardson and his wife Dr. Trish Uniac to the community. Trish is practising in Guelph still, but doing some locum work at both Wingham and Seaforth Hospitals on weekends. Al is in the music business and hopes to develop plans for the church because of the great acoustics. Al joined in at Cinnamon Jim's music night a couple of weeks ago and Jim reports he is a fantastic bass player. We hope to see them out and about in the community and welcome! The Lions Club held a community breakfast to raise funds for the recreation needs of Brussels. The Lions are always great to support the causes important to the village and although only a small crowd during the early seating, I am sure they had a good attendance over the morning. The Walton Raceway held its final event on the weekend with a mudbog event. There were over 100 registered to play in the mud. It was a great day and a great way to wind up the season at the raceway. Celebrating birthdays this past week include Megan Flaxbard, Murray Dennis, Douglas Wey, Shannon McGavin, John Steffler, Brianna Williamson, Liam Sutcliffe, Brent Alexander, MacKenzie McGavin, Janine Knight, Davis Steffler. November kicks off with Judy Lee, Marvin Bachert, John Gaunt, Peggy Humphries, Garret Mader and Johnny Ryan. Congrats to all! 1 Have We Got Your Number? The Citizen is now planning its 2016-2017 Telephone Book. Is your number correct in the recently delivered Bell Canada phone book? Do you have a new listing since that book was compiled? If so, please let us know so we can make our phone book as complete and useful as possible. CaII 519-523-4792. WANT TO ADD YOUR CELL PHONE LISTING? If you would like your cell number listed in our listings we can add it if you give us the information. We will only put your cell phone number in our book if you don't have a land line.