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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-05-02, Page 28PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2013.BBMHA amalgamation vote set for June 4 at 7 p.m.With its second season now in the books, the Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey Association is facing an uncertain future. Two years ago the Blyth and Brussels Minor HockeyAssociations voted to enter into anamalgamated association for a two-year period to see if that system would be preferable for the players. With the two-year trial over, a vote has been set for June 4 in Brussels at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre at 7 p.m. todetermine the future of theorganization. The vote will be heldin concert with the organization’s annual general meeting. “The vote will be done by holding up a colour card if members of the organizations wish to remain an amalgamated group,” President PaulCoultes explained. Fifty-one per cent of the vote mustbe in favour of the amalgamation to continue. Anyone with a child enrolled in the association for the previous season is welcome to attend the annual general meeting and vote. Coultes said that the majority ofthe feedback that the association hasreceived on the amalgamation has been good. “The feedback that myself and the executive has heard from the trial amalgamation period is positive,” he said. “There have of course been some hiccups, but there will never be a perfect hockey association.” Among the 22 teams, 688 games were played over the season and Coultes said that those numbers show why he is pushing for amalgamation to remain. “The biggest push that I’m making is to have kids be able to play and develop as they should,” he said. “With that many teams, we can get every player in to the proper skill bracket so they can play, have fun and develop.” The only changes that will occur if the amalgamation vote is successful is that the organization will continue to decide on a new name and mascot for the association and new jerseys will be purchased as well. If, however, the amalgamation is defeated in the vote, both centres will have to wait three years before they can consider amalgamating with each other again and Coultes believes that will be detrimental, especially in Brussels. “Looking at the numbers that were in Brussels before amalgamation, I think that the teams there would have trouble competing in the next three years,” he said. By Denny ScottThe Citizen Jeremy Austin Memorial Award Brandon Marshall was the recipient of the Jeremy Austin Memorial Award. The award, which was presented to him at the Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey Association’s annual awards ceremony last week, is given each year to the most dedicated Bantam Rep player. (Denny Scott photo) The Dynamic Duo Joel Pizzati, shown, and Jeremy Grisdale, who was absent, were presented the Bokhout Hesselwood Dynamic Duo award during the Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey Association’s annual awards ceremony last week. (Denny Scott photo) BBIA annual general meeting leads to larger board The Blyth Business Improvement Area (BIA) held its general annual meeting in the lower hall of Blyth Memorial Hall on April 29 and approved its new budget. The budget includes several projects including $2,000 to create a brand development and strategic plan, $1,500 for Streetfest (formerly known as Buskerfest), $1,500 for a new inter-community lighting of the holiday season lights project, $1,000 to create and enhance the BIA’s online presence, $1,500 for banners and Blyth main street project and $400 for advertising. Alongside $1,000 for future capital projects and $3,150, the costs made for a balanced budget of $12,050 with money left in reserve from the 2012 surplus for the organization. *** During its annual general meeting, the Blyth BIA approved an expanded board of directors with one additional member: Stitches with a Twist owner Irene Kellins. Aside from two non-voting representatives from the local churches and service clubs, the new 10-person board of directors consists of the following: • Chair Rick Elliott • Vice-Chair Peter Gusso • Treasurer Sharon Davis • Secretary Tamara Riach • Member at Large Janice Peters • Member at Large Rick Howson • Member at Large Irene Kellins • North Huron Council rep- resentative David Riach Ron Drillen, the new Associate Publisher and Director of Sales of the North Huron Publishing Company Inc., the parent company of The Citizen was also introduced to the BIA as the company’s representative to the BIA. *** Despite an increased cost, the Blyth BIA has decided, after a vote at its annual general meeting, to proceed with purchasing fabric signs to install on the light standards lining Blyth’s main street. Chair Rick Elliott explained that aluminum signs would cost $50 per sign, or $1,300 for the entirety of main street, but could be problematic when moving due to the fragile nature of the metal. He reported that he spoke with a banner maker who creates banners for the University of Western Ontario who estimated that two- sided banners would cost less than $100 each, and Elliott estimated the entire cost of the project with fabric would be $2,600, an increase of $1,100 over the budget approved earlier in the meeting. After the explanation of the two, Steven Sparling, stated he would prefer the fabric. “No one has aluminum flags,” he said. “Flags move and have life.” The assembled BIA stakeholders voted to have the fabric flags. By Denny Scott The Citizen MVG Clarissa Gordon received the Don Higgins award, given to the Most Valuable Goaltender in the Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey Association at the association’s annual awards ceremony last week. Ken Higgins presented the award. (Denny Scott photo) Retiring Elaine Shropshall, left, received a special gift in recognition of the years of service she provided to local hockey associations assigning referees. The gift was presented by Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey Association representative Ken Higgins, right, during the association’s annual awards ceremony last week. (Denny Scott photo)