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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1986-09-17, Page 1Record rains threaten disastrous crop loss Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Just two weeks ago the office was predicting an excellent bean crop, with higher than normal yields in all areas of the county. This expectation has been shatter­ ed with only 20 to 25 per cent of the crop in, and fields still standing in water in some areas. Rainfall was heaviest in the Clinton areas, but all parts of the county were affected, with the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority at Wroxe- tersayingthateven the lightest With record rainfall of 6-7 inches overmuch of Huron County last week, the white bean harvest is “really hurting,’’ according to Brian Hall of Clinton office of the VOL. 2 NO. 38 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1986. 40 CENTS Charlene Stephenson, [left] runner up for the Brussels Queen of the Fair title and Leanne Armstrong [right] winner of the award for congeniality, give victory kisses to Linda TenPas, winner of the title of the Queen of the Fair dance held at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre on Saturday night. Linda, as queen, will reign over the 125th Brussels Fall Fair today [Wednesday]. rainfall, in the eastern part of Huron, was nearly four inches over two and a half days. The beans that had already been pulled are in the worst shape, according to Mr. Hall, but even those still standing will have varyingdegreesof damage, de­ pending on how long it is before they can be combined. ‘ ‘Many may not even be harvest­ able,” he said, pointing out that since white beans are used nearly exclusively for human consump- ion, the market will nottolerate any discoloration or sprouting. Beans ready now will be practically useless, but later white beans may escape to some degree, depending upon the weather over the next few weeks. On the brighter side, soys and corn look better, even with all the wet weather, although crops will only be average. Mr. Hall said that most of the corn problem results from the wet harvest season last fall, with much of the ground not yet recovered from the compacting at that time, resulting in uneven growth. Auburn-area man stabbed 8 times An Auburn-area man was listed in serious condition in University Hospital, London, Tuesday morn­ ing, after being stabbed eight times with a knife in a fight outside the Bedford Hotel in Goderich on Saturday night. Constable Syd Hall of the Goderich Police said that Richard Pringle, 33, of RR 3, Auburn was stabbed once in the arm, four times in the stomach area, and three times in the back with a five-inch “fishing type” knife, after he and another man got into an argument inside the hotel and were ejected on to the street at about 10:30 p.m. Pringle was found on the hotel’s doorstep by a passer-by, who called an ambulance. By the time Goderich police arrived on the scene, the assailant had fled, but Const. Hall said a London man had consequently been arrested in conjunction with the incident, following an investigation by the Goderich and London Police de- Elston goes north,Riddell alone in Huron Both Jack Riddell and Murray Elston have announced their inten­ tions to seek the Liberal nomina­ tion in the two new ridings created in a recent shift in riding boundar­ ies. Jack Riddell, the Minister of Agriculture in the Ontario Legisla­ ture, and now M.P.P. for the present riding of Huron-Middle­ sex, will seek the nomination for the new riding of Huron; while Murray Elston, present Minister of Health and MPP for Huron-Bruce, will run in the new riding of Bruce. Mr. Elston ended speculation as to which of the two men would run in the riding of Huron, where both men live, by announcing his Belgrave Fair goes despite rain Despite the worst rainfall in the 66-year history ofthe Belgrave, Blyth and Brussels School Fair the show went on last Wednesday. A torrential all-day rainstorm cancelled the parade of school Continued on page 32 intentions at a Liberal fund-raising dinner in Southampton on Septem­ ber 11. Jim Fitzgerald, executive assistant to the minister of agricul­ ture, told the Citizen Tuesday that Mr. Riddell would seek the nomination in Huron. Spokesmen for both politicians Blyth council gets insurance installment The first cheque from the insurance company of the Village of Blyth covering losses due to fraud, arrived at the village office last week and with it came some enlightenment as to where moneys were missing. The money, covered through a bond on village employees, totall­ ed $78,960.27, which represents the first claim of $79,190.27 minus $230 deductible. The money was found missing during an audit and subsequent Ontario Provincial Pol­ ice investigation of the affairs of the Blyth municipal office in June. Included in the losses were two government grants under the Ontario Neighbourhood Improve­ ment Program, one for $16,880 and said that both ministers were upset over the loss of a rural riding, with the reduction of five ridings under the old boundaries, to four ridings under the new. The changes reflect changes in population density in Ontario, and will come intoeffect at the next provincial election. the other for $23,712.25. The Ministry of Transport and Comm­ unications subsidy to the village of $19,700 was also included in the losses as was $1,392 in taxes from the Huron County Housing Auth­ ority. There were funds missing from the bar account and from auditor­ ium rental at the Blyth and District Community Centre totalling $2,625.60. The remainder of the amount, a total of $14,880.42 was taken from the Public Utilities Commission from misappropriation of funds from seven hydro accounts, the largest being $10,121.45 from Howson and Howson Ltd.; $2,024.72 from the Huron County Neither MPP’s office would speculate as to when the next election might be, other than to agree that it was likely next spring orearly summer. In the meantime, both Mr. Riddell and Mr. Elston will represent the constituencies in which they were elected. Housing Authority; $1,459.88 from the Ministry of Environment and $840.70 from G. L. Hubbard Ltd. At the village council meeting Sept. 9, Reeve Albert Wasson said that a second claim for nearly $20,000 more in losses has been made to the insurance company. No information on the breakdown of that claim was available. Council had some discussion but came to no decision as to whether or not the council should hold a public meeting to discuss the losses. Councillor William Mann­ ing brought up the subject, wondering if other councillors felt they owed the ratepayers a meet­ ing to give them an explanation. partments. Cecil J. Graham, 24, of 7 Durham St., London, has been charged with attempted murder, after giving himself up to Goderich police on Monday, according to Const. Hall. Graham will appear in Goderich County Court September 17 for a bail hearing. Pringle was taken to Alexandra Marine and General Hospital, then transferred to London Saturday night. Councillor William Howson said he didn’t think a special meeting should be held. It was suggested that perhaps the public should be given a chance to ask questions as part of a general ratepayers meeting but it was pointed out that there isn’t a ratepayers meeting every year. There was some question as to how many people would show up at such a meeting. Councillor How­ son said that if the meeting had been held June 5 people would have filled the hall but he wondered how many people would show up later this fall when interest has died down. In the end, no decision was made.