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The Citizen, 2016-12-22, Page 1Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON NOG 1H0 $1 .25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, December 22, 2016 Time for the holidays The students at North Woods Elementary School near Ethel were certainly in the Christmas spirit last week, as the holidays moved them to sing and dance about all things Christmas, including snow. Here, the students were giving themselves a bit of a snow bath as part of their routine during the school's dress rehearsal concert on Dec. 13. From left: Addison Cromwell, Ty Sommers, Mitchell White, Cameron Subject, Bronwyn Guy and Harlen Bootsmen. (Denny Scott photo) Blyth is `booming' says county, RTO 4 Huron County Council has authorized a memorandum of understanding with Regional Touriism Organization 4 (RTO 4) to work together on the county's tourism and marketing strategy, focusing on three key projects, including one in Blyth. At Huron County Council's Dec. 14 committee of the whole meeting, Economic Development Manager Natasha Fritzley presented council with a report which suggested a number of changes in its tourism practices and some priorities moving forward. The proposed memorandum of understanding suggested a co - funding relationship between the county and RTO 4 that would result in a "Tourism Destination" initiative. The report also states that the county will continue to develop further departmental tourism initiatives and partnerships with other organizations throughout 2017. The document lists a number of demand -generating themes within the region that will attract provincial attention, including theatres, heritage towns, outdoor activities, motor sports and culinary tourism. "Currently, RTO 4 is focusing its attention on three projects within Huron County: Blyth and the Blyth Festival, Bayfield and the Goderich- to-Guelph (G2G) Rail Trail," states the memorandum of understanding. "It is through these projects that RTO 4 and Huron County believe there is potential for greater project advancement, alignment, shared intelligence and co-operation." Fritzley told council that Blyth is really "booming" right now and that it's an appropriate place to leverage tourism dollars with RTO 4. "Blyth is an emerging destination," the document states. "While the Blyth Festival has played, and continues to play, an important role in drawing attention and visitors to the region, the expansion/redevelopment of the Festival facilities, the initiation of the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity and the development of the Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company destination brewery are together game -changers within the Huron County landscape and offer an immense opportunity to align, leverage and grow tourism opportunities there." In the funding breakdown, $100,000 will be spent on various projects in Bayfield, including signage and destination development, while $20,000 is planned to be spent in Blyth. Blyth initiatives include the creation, development and briefing of the Blyth destination network, the launch of facilitated meetings to qualify, define and reach consensus on Blyth's DNA and the inception of a Blyth destination strategy, as well as any other work the partners may deem necessary in the advancement of these projects. Council approved Fritzley's recommendation and authorized Warden Jim Ginn and Chief Administrative Officer Brenda Orchard to execute the memorandum of understanding with RTO 4 and that the three initiatives go ahead as stated. County spending to rise in 2011 By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen While the Huron County budget will face its first official scrutiny at a special budget meeting on Jan. 19, a preview shows a proposed 5.8 per cent increase in spending. Treasurer Michael Blumhagen spoke to Huron County Council about the budget at its Dec. 14 committee of the whole meeting, presenting the draft budget to council, which included a 1.67 per cent increase to the tax levy. In his report, Blumhagen said that staff are facing some significant challenges in the 2017 budget year, particularly provincial funding cuts, ongoing labour pressures, significant costs associated with the 2017 International Plowing Match (IPM) in Walton and the past reliance on reserves for operational costs. At the meeting, Blumhagen told councillors that the county's Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) allotment was decreasing once again by over $350,000, representing a decrease of 15 per cent. He added that he expects the county's OMPF money will be completely eliminated in a five-year period — another pressure that will require forward -planning on the county's part. The proposed spending increase is set at $2,170,405, which is a 5.8 per cent increase in year -over -year spending. That increase would bring the total county spending to $39,567,444 in 2017. With the property assessment increase in 2017, Blumhagen said that the same value would support a Continued on page 37 Btyth 140th to Icicle off Jan. 1 By Denny Scott The Citizen To help usher in the new year, the Blyth 140th committee will be hosting a special New Year's Day event at the Blyth Campground beside the Blyth and District Community Centre. Held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., the event will feature musical accompaniment from Phil Main, games for children to play, a sled dog racing demonstration by Blyth sled dog professionals Mike and Luke Siertsema and a ceremonial burning of a Christmas tree to signify the starting of the new year. "We're going to have snowshoes for rent as well," said Blyth 140th Committee Chair Crystal Taylor. "People will be able to use the trail that Mike will have for the dogs or the Goderich-to-Guelph (G2G) Rail Trail and can use our snowshoes or bring their own and skis." Taylor said the event will also feature hot chocolate and treats donated by the Blyth Legion Branch 420, the Blyth Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the Lions Club with donations being accepted for the Blyth 140th committee. "We will also be having a wacky toque competition, where people can either wear a wacky toque they own or make a toque wacky and wear it to the event," she said. "Go wild and crazy and you might win a prize." The event is the first official event and kickoff of the Blyth 140th celebration, which will span all of 2017 with a special weekend event at the end of July. Calendars outlining all the celebrations in the village for the year will be available. One of the next events for the committee is to co -host a pancake breakfast on Family Day in February with the Blyth Business Improvement Area (BIA).