The Citizen, 2009-08-27, Page 1Geared up
A member of the Canadian Forces suits up a young visitor to the display at the airport in
Wingham on Saturday following the Ride for Heroes in honour of fallen Wingham soldier Matt
Dinning. Ten-year-old Brussels resident Wyatt Machan gets suited up, while his brother Wade,
centre, friend Logan Kellington and mom Janice look on. Approximately 200 motorcycles
participated in the ride which begin a scholarship in Dinning’s name at F.E. Madill Secondary
School in Wingham. (Vicky Bremner photo)
An application has been made by
the Brussels Lions Club and is being
considered by Huron East council
for endorsement regarding the
Brussels Library.
The application, if approved,
could see the plans for a new library
in Brussels change direction with a
possible addition being considered
for the existing historic structure.
While the decision had initially
been made by council last year,
fundraising initiatives have been
ongoing and no real action had been
taken on the construction of a new
library with the exception of
procuring architectural drawings for
the new building.
However, on July 29, the
Infrastructure Stimulus Fund for
Non-Profit Organizations was
announced jointly by the provincial
and federal governments. This fund
would provide the municipality with
options in regards to the library,
providing the majority of the
funding if the municipality was to
consider an addition to the existing
building as opposed to building new.
Under the structure of the fund,
the provincial government and
federal government would provide
one third of the funding each,
leaving just one third of the total cost
to be provided at the local level.
Huron East treasurer Brad Knight
says the Brussels Library appears to
fit perfectly into one of the fund’s
four categories: Culture (art
galleries, libraries, museums,
performing arts centres for the
creation and presentation of the arts
as well as preservation or
enhancement of heritage structures).
In addition, with every
municipality feeling the crunch of
the recession, even as experts say it
is on its way out, this fund could
provide the municipality with a
more viable option to the library
situation.
Knight also says this fund could
be perfect for this particular
situation because it is aimed at “big
ticket items,” with a minimum
project cost of $750,000 attached to
the funding dollars.
The fund initially caught the eye
of Huron East. Soon after it was
announced, however, Knight says he
began to receive calls from members
of the library fundraising committee,
such as Paul Nichol and Charlie
Hoy, expressing their interest in
drafting this application.
Knight, Hoy and Nichol made a
presentation to the Brussels Lions
last week. Knight says it is his
understanding that the fund cannot
receive applications from
municipalities, so the decision was
made to present to local service
groups who may be interested in
submitting the application.
Knight says that while staff
members as well as members of the
fundraising committee have been
New hope for old Library
The Ministry of Education has
deemed the appeal of the recent
review of area schools that may
result in the closing of Blyth Public
School a valid one and is in the
process of appointing a facilitator to
the case.
An appeal, filed shortly after the
conclusion of the Accommodation
Review Committee (ARC) process,
came after the Avon Maitland
District School Board staff
recommended the closure of Blyth
Public School, along with three
other area schools and the school
board accepted the staff
recommendation.
According to Ernest Dow, one of
the leaders of the Blyth appeal
process, the facilitator selection
process is now underway.
The administrative review will be
focused on reviewing the ARC
process and its consistency with the
board’s accommodation review
policy.
Throughout the ARC process,
there were several concerns by
various members of the public that
they were misled throughout the
process and that the board didn’t
follow its own rules by including
enrollment concerns of F.E. Madill
Secondary School in the review
after it had already begun.
Dow says he will be notified when
a facilitator has been appointed to
the appeal.
From time to time there comes a
person whose commitment and
dedication to the betterment of their
community and the lives of those
around them can’t be forgotten.
Such is the case of OPP officer
and volunteer Blyth firefighter Dave
Mounsey, who passed away from
injuries sustained in an on-duty car
crash in the fall of 2006. To honour
his memory and to give back to the
community that meant so much to
him, friends and family have created
the Dave Mounsey Memorial
Foundation (DMMF).
Following his recovery from
another serious crash while working,
October 2004, Mounsey made the
decision to join the fire department
that had rushed to the scene and
assisted him.
Just before his fatal crash, he and
his life partner OPP Const. Brenda
Carey participated in the Victoria
B.C. marathon to raise funds for a
defibrillator for the department.
Const. Patrick Armstrong, who
was Mounsey’s probationary officer
when he first joined the force, and
became friends with his mentor over
the course of that association,
wanted to see Mounsey’s good
works continued.
“I was on the scene at both of
Dave’s crashes. Those close to him
were obviously very upset when
Dave passed away. We came up with
this idea as a way of continuing the
work he started. To give back as he
had.”
The DMMF will promote the
“dedication to community that was
exemplified by Const. Mounsey in
his work and in his life”. With the
passing of law enforcement, fire,
paramedic and military members
who pay the ultimate sacrifice in
service to their communities, the
Foundation will donate a defibrilla-
tor according to the family’s wishes.
The life-saving equipment is
“Patrick-proof”,
said Armstrong. “If
I can use them
anyone can.” He
explains that the
defibrillators won’t
allow someone to
be shocked if they
still have a pulse.
“There is a voice
that talks you
through. They are very sensitive and
if they detect anything it won’t let
you shock.”
As a Foundation, funds will
primarily be raised through
membership fees. The cost is $20.
Armstrong said nothing is really
required of members, but they will
receive invitations to the annual
meetings, a newsletter and be
updated on the Foundation’s
activities.
DMMF’s first executive board
meeting was held Aug. 12.
Armstrong is executive director and
president. The executive is:
president Celeste Bailey, vice-
president Blyth fire chief Paul
Josling, treasurer Susan Ethlston and
secretary Andrea Matheson.
DMMF will be at the Sept. 7 OPP
London Community Centre family
day to promote the Foundation and
take memberships. On Oct. 3
DMMF is holding a motorcycle ride
from London to the Blyth arena, rain
or shine. Cost is $20, plus $5 for
passengers.
The first defibrillator, which costs
$1,500 to $1,800 will be presented at
Blyth Oct. 6, said Armstrong.
Armstrong said with defibrillators
now in place in all arenas, the
Foundation would like to see them in
every public place. “They are that
beneficial. If one saves a life, and we
had something to do with it, well I
would like to have my friend back,
but if we can continue on with his
work that will at least mean
something.”
For more information visit
www.davemounsey.com
Appeal deemed valid
CitizenTh
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$1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009
Volume 25 No. 33ON THE MOVE - Pg. 3New addition arrives at training centre NEWS - Pg. 31 PRISM 911 moves on tonext stage in Huron EastDEDICATION- Pg. 2A citizen remembered atgarden servicePublications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 PAP Registration No. 09244 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON N0G 1H0INSIDE THIS WEEK:
Foundation begun
in officer’s honour
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
CONST. MOUNSEY
In his honour
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
Continued on page 2