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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-09-23, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2010. NEWS FROM WALTON Walton’s Lee files to run for Deputy-MayorJust a few days before the deadlinefor municipal election nominations,a familiar face to the area threw his hat into an unfamiliar ring when Walton TransCan founder Chris Lee decided to run for Deputy-Mayor of Huron East. Lee says that he had been approached by several people about getting involved in municipal politics, but hadn’t given it much thought over the summer due to all his responsibilities at his motocross track. Once he began to seriously consider running, he spoke with the people who had mentioned it to him previously and had a long conversation with his wife. He was on the fence aboutrunning, but when he saw thatSeaforth ward Councillor JoeSteffler was the only person who haddeclared interest in the position, hefelt he needed to turn acclamation into a race. “There’s fair value in making it an election rather than an acclamation,” Lee says. While Lee has no previous experience in politics, he says that his work with the TransCan, the Gateway Rural Health Institute, Huron Tourism and the local Family Health Team has seen him working with many different levels of government for years. Lee says he has seen a lack of engagement over the years in Huron East, saying that people often don’t act in a proactive manner, and just go to council meetings after councillorshave made a decision they wereunhappy with. His decision to run,he said, is proactive.He said that when he and hisfamily immigrated to Canada from England in 1965, there were certain responsibilities that members of the community felt they had, things like running for local government. Lee says Huron East is “still recovering” from the effects of amalgamation and that his running is a way that the community can help take control of its own destiny. “I’d like to think that I could be of value on council,” he said. A real inspiration to Lee, he said, was Deputy-Mayor Bernie MacLellan, who has declared his intention to run for Mayor of Huron East.“Bernie has done a great job andhe is a small-businessman, a lot likeme,” he said. “That helped me thinkthat I could do this.”Lee says many of the skills that he has honed in running the Walton Motocross will be helpful if voters decide to elect him, like problem solving and dealing with people. Lee has also worked with the municipality on its economic development committee as well as on its stewardship council, saying that he feels he has more political experience than people might think. “I understand how a lot of these things work,” he said. “I think I have definitely had more exposure than most people.” By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen Wilbee becomes manager of Toronto OMAFRA affairs It is the season of harvest and everyone is busy. The farmers worked hard for the few good days we had last week. There were combines in the white bean fields, the soybean fields, cutting corn silage and spreading manure. There was chiseling ploughing, cultivating, spreading fertilizer, ploughing and seed drills planting wheat. Many things were accomplished in those days and then the rains came and it’s time to take a break again. Hopefully, we have some good weather this week for not only the farmers, but for the Brussels Fall Fair. Our condolences are extended to Heidi and Fred McClure and family on the passing of Heidi’s father Hans (John) Nater of Mitchell. Our sympathies are also expressed to Heidi’s mother Hannah Nater and siblings Bill, Hannah and Margaret and their families. The Nater family appreciated the group of Walton neighbors and friends that provided dinner for the family between visitations. Supporting the family were Gloria Wilbee, Val Shortreed, Jo-Ann McDonald and Bill and Sharon McClure. Our condolences are also expressed to the Shortreed/ Beuerman families on the passing of Joan Shortreed Beuerman. Joan was the daughter of the late Jim and Isabel Shortreed and sister of the late Louise Shortreed Smith and sister of Ken Shortreed. She will be missed by her children Michelle, Michael, Scott and Randy and their families. The family gathered for a service at the Brussels Cemetery on Friday afternoon and then returned to the Walton Hall for a small reception. Our sympathies to all the extended Shortreed and Beuerman families. The Walton Hall helpers for the luncheon included Judy Lee, Judy Emmrich, Betty McCallum, Jo-Ann McDonald and Kathleen Williamson. Congratulations to Rob and Andrea Shortreed on the birth of their fourth son, Emmett. He is welcomed home by big brothers Adam, Liam and Bryce. Congratulations to Kristen Grobbink who was crowned Queen of the Seaforth Fall Fair. Kristen is the daughter of Henry and Marianne Grobbink. Our congratulations go to Bill and Isabelle Craig on celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on Sept. 16. The family gathered on the weekend at the Fireside Café for a celebratory dinner and special family time. Bill, who resides at Braemar and Isabelle were joined by children Roger, Ross, Murray and Mary and their families for the day. Congratulations to Bill and Isabelle. Congratulations to Courtney Sallows on her marriage to Rick Mills in Stratford on Saturday. Courtney is the daughter of Bonnie and Rick Sallows. The nuptials were held at the Festival Inn at Stratford. Special guest attending was grandmother Velma Stephenson of Brussels. Congrats to all. Congratulations to Kevin Wilbee who has moved to Toronto to be the Manager of the Office of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for Carol Mitchell, Huron-Bruce MPP. He has assumed the responsibilities of managing the office, scheduling Mitchell’s appearances as well as accompanying Carol to some functions. Kevin was with her when she attended the Woodstock Farm Show last week. Congrats to Kevin. Home for the second time in a month is Cathy Sholdice Fischer. She came from Summerside, P.E.I. to help get ready for Ken and Liz Sholdice’s sale held at the arena last week. She also attended the St. John’s Anglican Church “Memories of Elvis” fundraiser. What a great show it was on Saturday evening at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre. The “Memories of Elvis” show brought to the Brussels Community by St. John’s Anglican Church was fantastic. The opening musical numbers by Frankie D and the Dreamers had the crowd in the mood for more rock ’n roll. The over 700 in attendance heard nothing but great music from Peter Irwin in his tribute of Elvis and the Jailhouse Rock Band was phenomenal. The music had much of the crowd up dancing on the dance floor or just rocking in the seats. The evening offered refreshments, light lunch and a draw to make a great evening for all. A special moment for one former Walton woman and true blue “Elvis’ fan happened for Pauline Gulutzen. She was in the right place at the right time. Peter Irwin had arrived and was checking out the crowd from the dressing room area when Pauline was standing in that area. From our table, about five rows away, I heard the scream of delight and there was Pauline hugging Peter “Elvis” Irwin. I’m sure she will remember the moment for a long time. Our congratulations to St. John’s Church for a successful 150th anniversary event and to Sharon Stephenson for her instigation of such a great show to be brought to Brussels. The ladies’ slopitch league had their final year-end tournament on the weekend. Games were played on Thursday and Friday evenings and all day Saturday. As in the past, themes and costumes made for some laughs and good times. Some of the dressups included Biker Babes, Ninjas, Mardi Gras, Cowboys, Punk Rockers, Cops and Robbers, Doctors and Nurses and the Flintstones. There were lots of good ball games played and the last games became a little damp when the rain came late in the afternoon. The final two teams for the “B” side of the tournament were the Bookies and the Twisted Sisters and congrats to the Bookies on winning the “B” side. The “A” side of the tournament had the RBI playing against the Young Guns in the final game of the day. Congrats to the RBI team on their win to capture the “A” title of the Brussels Ladies Slopitch League for 2010. The Walton Brewers played in the Huron County Men’s Fastball league tournament on the weekend. They had a successful weekend of play finishing second after the weekend’s play. They won their first game Friday night, lost their second game on Saturday to Wingham and then won three games in a row to advance to the semi final game, again against Wingham. They lost the game and finished second. Congrats to the Brewers for a great weekend of ball. Congratulations to Clara Glauser on her marriage to Jamie Griffith on Saturday. Clara is the daughter of Charlie and Judy Glauser of Walton. Clara was attended by her sisters Julie and Wendy. The couple was wed in London with the reception held at the Hilton Hotel for the just over 100 guests. The couple will be living in London. There was a good crowd at the Buck and Doe for Tanner Leslie and Loni Horst on the weekend. The event was held in Seaforth. Tanner is the son of Patty Banks and Loni the daughter of Richard and Marjorie Horst. The Lee farm was the host venue for the Steel City Riders from the Hamilton area. They had a very good turnout for the day on Sunday and a great day for racing. Celebrating birthdays this past week include Brooke Leslie Ribey, Nick Durrell, James Durrell, Stephen Bachert, Matthew Ryan, Emma Strome, Ben Driscoll, Heather Kelso, Bruce Whitmore, Mike Boven, Darrell Hastings, Peg Cameron, Lucas Godkin, Sean Kirkby and Tim Nolan. By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570 PEOPLE AROUND WALTON ELECT JOE STEFFLER for DEPUTY-MAYOR HURON EAST October 25, 2010 Suspicious Minds Elvis and the Jailhouse Rock Band were in Brussels on Saturday night performing Memories of Elvis at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre. The event was part of the 150th anniversary of St. John’s Anglican Church. (Vicky Bremner photo)