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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-07-07, Page 7THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2011. PAGE 7. Due to recent amendments to provincial regulations, Huron East has purchased a reflectivity meter for $11,500 to ensure municipal road signs meet provincial standards. The issue was initially raised by Huron County Public Works Co- ordinator Dave Laurie and conversation began on how the reflectivity of the county’s signs could be measured. Each lower tier municipality, however, is faced with the same regulations. There were initial discussions about several municipalities sharing a meter, but Huron East Public Works Co-ordinator Barry Mills, says there would be several issues that would complicate such an arrangement, such as repairs and usage. Mills says Huron East has approximately 1,300 signs that would have to be tested for their reflectivity every year. So in addition to the cost for the meter, which is said to have a life expectancy of 10 years, there will also be several weeks of pay for the operator who has to test the signs every year. Mills said the meter he proposed for purchase is handheld and would work in conjunction with software the municipality is already using, which would be a major benefit. Recently regulations were changed requiring certain road signs to be tested for their reflectivity every year. Despite the fact that an average sign’s reflectivity is expected to last for seven years, they have to be tested every year, with the exception of the first year. While there were several councillors who disagreed with the regulations, the legal liability associated with testing (or not testing) these signs was something the municipality couldn’t turn its back on, whether councillors agreed with the new regulations or not. Councillors carried the motion authorizing Mills to purchase the meter. Here it is, the first of July and the corn has managed to be knee-high. As a matter of fact, some of the corn was even higher and was hip-high by the first of July, especially if you are short like me. Of course there is some later planted that did not make it, but ours did and many of our Walton neighbours did. Lots of heat, occasional rain (preferably at night) and hopefully we can all enjoy a great summer and growing season. My apologies to the Shaw family on her passing last week. Neil and Marie McGavin have returned from a 10-day trip to the east coast. They flew to Deer Lake on the west side of Newfoundland, then travelled by bus to tour the island and stayed at many interesting places including Corner Brook and Plumb Point. They went to Gros Morne National Park and enjoyed a five- kilometre hike which is the most popular activity at the park. They enjoyed the rugged shoreline of the country, beautiful landscapes and the great people. They had thechance to stop at the village ofConche where they saw a beautifulwork of tapestry. It was over 50 feet long and about three feet wide. It was made to resemble a famous tapestry in France and was made by the local women with yards and yards of thread. It was very lovely. They travelled to Gander and visited the Avalon Peninsula and counted moose every time they travelled, a total of 28 for the ten- day trip. The trip ended in St. John’s and they flew home from there. There were many people from Huron County on the trip from Clinton, Zurich, Exeter and Hensall area and they had a good time making new friends. Neil renewed an acquaintance with Keith Lydiatt and his wife Marg. Keith grew up in Walton, but moved away many years ago. There is another case of no matter where you go, someone seems to know Walton. Don and Pat Nolan and Anne and Gerry Ryan spent a few days away. They headed out Monday morning and went to Frankenmuth, Michigan and Birch Run for a couple of days on the motorbikes. They enjoyed great weather for the ride and a good time except the ladies were very limited for shopping. Welcome to Joanne, Weldon, Andrew and Allison Black who are here from St. John, New Brunswick. They are here to enjoy their annual holiday with Jack and DonnaKnight, Brad and Christine Knightand Steve and Marni Knight. Theyare hoping to enjoy good weather and have no solid plans but to just enjoy a restful, relaxing vacation. Many of the Walton folks will not recognize David Pethick these days. David usually sports very curly and bushy hair but David is now bald. David had his head shaved to raise funds for cancer. Way to go David. We congratulate Linda Gingerich on her retirement from Community Psychiatric Services of Huron after 29 years. A big retirement party was held at the Seaforth Legion last Wednesday evening. The Memphis Cats singing group, friends of Linda, brought along Marie Bottrell to help with the celebration. There was a great group of family, colleagues and friends turn out to enjoy the celebration. Linda’s daughter, Andrea, came from Vancouver, B.C. and daughter Lisa from London. Linda plans on spending more time with her granddaughter and enjoying her retirement with some travel. Congratulations Linda. The Glanville family was busy this weekend with more celebrations. A surprise 65th birthday party was held for Lorne Glanville at the home of Robert and Jackie Glanville. They had invited Lorne and Bonnie for supper and upon arriving found members of the Glanville family and a few friends gathered to celebrate with Lorne. He was surprised andthe group gathered enjoyedbarbecued hamburgers and hot dogswith salads and an afternoon of visiting. The party was cut a little short when the approaching storm clouds threatened bad weather. Happy birthday Lorne. A second party involving one Glanville family was held on Sunday. Les and Cathy Glanville are moving to near Lucknow and the friends and neighbours on Sawmill Road gathered in their honour. The get-together was held at the home of John and Karen Braecker. There were over 25 friends and neighbours who enjoyed the afternoon and potluck supper. We wish the best to Walton’s newest business that opened on the weekend. The Chips on the Beach chip wagon opened on Thursday evening next door to the Walton Inn. They offer fresh-cut fries and reports are that they are very good. Good luck to Steve Freeman and his sons on their venture. The alert employees of the Walton Inn averted a disaster on Saturday morning. When they arrived at work, they thought they could smell something hot. They checked the stove but found nothing amiss, but continued to be wary. Betty finally heard the fridge making a strange ticking noise and then the motor blew. Quick thinking had the appliance unplugged and the damage contained and it was business as usual. Good job girls. A dozen young men headed north for the long weekend to go four- wheeling and celebrate the upcoming nuptials for some. The group went near New Liskeard to a hunt camp owned by some local men. They left Wednesday with some of the group returning on Sunday and others returning on Monday. They had four-wheelers and some side-by-sides and went miles and miles everyday. They had great weather and, except for the annoying mosquitoes and deer flies, report having a good time. The group included Scott McDonald, Chris, Devin and Brandon Blake, Curtis Ryan, Colin, Darryl and Barry Young, Scott Dalton, Robert Johnston, Greg Medd and Kevin Murray. Our get-well wishes go out to Leona Armstrong who has suffered a broken arm. She was trying to do too much at once and fell which resulted in her injury. Celebrating birthdays this past week and kicking off the month of July include Julie Wharton, Dianne Baan, Sherri Taylor, Craig Baan, Merton Hackwell, Jeffrey Linton, Ken Pethick, Mike Ryan, Hope Williamson, Bob Humphries, Allison Stevenson, Jonathon Blake, Ralph Bos, Dianne Blake, Lorne Glanville and Brad Knight. Happy birthday to all. McGavins take east coast trip Huron East to purchase new reflectivity meter Crisis averted at Inn Serving farm families for 25 years Dungannon 519-529-7951 1-800-665-5675 Walton 519-887-6023 Dungannon ~ July 9, 2011 Fun For The Whole Family * BBQ 11 am - 2 pm * Local Music Talent * Inflatable Bouncer & Bogle The Clown Lucky Draws throughout the day Grand Prize: Cooler of Meat 25th 77688 Orchard Line, R.R. 1 Bayfield 519-482-3020 www.te-emfarm.ca Summer Hours effective July 10th Closed Tues.; M., W., T., F., S. 9-6; Sun. 10-5 * Gift Certificates Come for the berries and stay for the flowers STRAWBERRIES! Pick Your Own in your own containers as we charge by the lb. Crop permitting Raspberries Soon! Goderich Telephone R d . Golf Course Clinton TE-EM FARM Huron Coun t y # 1 3 Bayfield N www.teemfarm.wordpress.com check our blog for updates Super Sales & STRAWBERRIES Te-EmTe-Em FarmFarm Everything is on Special! Annuals, Perennials & More! By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570 PEOPLE AROUNDWALTON NEWS FROM WALTON BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Get wedding advice and tips, see a case study and read about local brides on the Brides in Huron section of our website www.northhuron.on.ca