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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-01-04, Page 7Huron East farmland owners weregetting some temporary tax relief to help ease the income crisis. Council decided to bring back a program implemented in 2005 that deferred all farmland taxation until the fall installment dates. Breathing Space, a community partnership for smoke-free homes and cars launched a province-wide radio advertisement campaign reminding people to smoke outdoors. County council passed its draft budget with a levy increase of 5.34 per cent. The future looked bright for Blyth Library as county council approved a relocation to a more spacious, more prominent facility in the downtown core. North Huron clerk-administrator John Stewart announced his retirement. Paul Steckle was returned as MP after a tight race in the federal election that saw the Liberal government defeated. Brussels Public School turned 45. Phase one of the construction for the Blyth youth activity park was slated to begin in the spring. County councillors got some good news when a press release issued by Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell said that Huron would receive an additional $3.3 million from the province’s Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund. Huron East councillor Mark Beaven was named chair of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority board. Snowmobilers raised $7,000 in the annual Snowarama. Winter just kept on coming with a vigorous cold front moving into the area and drifting and blowing snow shutting down many schools and businesses. The temperature hit - 15°C during the days following the storm with the wind chill making it closer to -23°C. John Tory, leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party was in Blyth to drop the ceremonial puck at a hockey game. He then attended a community breakfast, hosted by the Huorn-Bruce PC Association. The Grass Roots Movement formed to help farmers. The winter was not good for snowmobilers as it was reported to have been one of the warmest since 1948. Kriss Snell was hired as the new clerk-administrator for North Huron. Blyth Legion marked its 60th anniversary. The Brussels Lions Club celebrated is 60th anniversary. A Wingham man was one of four Canadian soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Brussels Public School public speaking students did their community proud at the Area contest in East York. Jacob McGavin and Mercedes TenPas placed second in the junior and intermediate divisions respectively. A night of farewell and heartfelt best wishes was held for retiring North Huron clerk-administrator John Stewart. It was another upheaval for Blyth Catholics who had decided to worship at St. Joseph’s Church in Clinton or St. Augustine Church after St. Michael’s Church closed. Bishop Ronald Fabbro of the London Diocese announced the closing of five Huron County Catholic Churches. Two, St. Augustine and English Martyrs in Bayfield were slated for closure in September, while St. Mary’s, Lucknow; St. Joseph’s, Kingsbridge and St. Joseph’s Clinton would close June, 2007. Darcy Young of Blyth broke a junior boys record at the Huron Perth track and field championships with his discus throw of 40.24 metres. He captured first place in his division. Jessica Sparling of Blyth was participating in the Western National volleyball championship tournament at the University of Calgary with her team the Stratford Stingers. A rabid skunk was found near Brussels. Walton Women’s Institute celebrated 50 years. OPP Const. and Blyth firefighter Dave Mounsey, along with OPP Const. Brenda Carey announced that they were raising money for a new defibrilator for the Blyth Fire Department by running a marathon at Thanksgiving in British Columbia. After more than 20 years under the same ownership JR’s in Brussels changed hands. The new owner was Shaz Ahmed. The Stratford Stingers won gold in Calgary. Grey Fire Department turned 50. Lois van Vliet of Blyth and Phyllis Mitchell of Brussels were named their communities’ Citizen of the Year. Hullett Central Public School principal Lois Tebbutt retired. Campvention 2006 arrived in Blyth. A community of several hundred families settled into the campgrounds for the annual Family Campers and RVers event. The Grey ward of Huron East celebrated its 150th anniversary. With extreme temperatures and humidity, residents had to know something was brewing. But whether they were prepared for the storm that blew into the area is unlikely. Clouds began to move in and darken the sky during the early evening, followed by thunder, lightning and gale force winds. A motorist on Hwy. 4, just south of Wingham said, “The winds just suddenly picked up and drove the rain so strongly that visibilty was reduce considerably. Small branches and debris fell onto the road so that driving was a bit like running a gauntlet.” Friends of Ball’s Bridge began a campaign to keep the historic structure open. The Global Battle of the Bandscame to Blyth. Blyth Festival celebrated its 100thpremiere with Leanna Brodie’sSchoolhouse. Blyth Fire Department donated $600to Camp Bucko in Minden. The facility is a burn camp for Ontario kids between the ages of seven and 17 who have been burned to the extent that it takes a minimum of two weeks to heal. Camp Bucko is strongly supported by Ontario firefighters, not only through monetary support, but also as volunteer counsellors. Provincial health minister Jim Watson paid tribute to Huron’s Good Food Box during a visit to Clinton. Winter wheat in Ontario was expected to shatter all records in 2006. Production was estimated at 2.5 million tonnes. A total of 1,163 marijuana plants were taken by OPP from a location on Marnoch Line in East Wawanosh. The plants had a street value of upwards of $1 million. They were discovered by a farmer, who then contacted police. A Goderich family won $9,021,440 in the Lotto 6/49 jackpot. Const. Shawn McFalls is the new co-ordinator of Crime Stoppers. There was another huge ‘early cultivation’ of a Huron County ‘crop’. Kitchener RCMP officers seized marijuana plants from a field just north of Walton. The Walton Brewers were Huron County fastball champs. The 2006 season of world premiers at Blyth Festival was one of the most successful in recent years. General manager Jane Gardner said that ticket sales boasted a seven per cent increase from the previous year. The Brussels dam rejuvenation project, spearheaded by the local Optimist Club got a big boost with the announcement of Trillium grant funding. Students at Blyth Public School celebrated Freedom Fridays, their interpretation of what military families call Red Friday. Scrimgeour’s Food Market was honoured for innovative promotion of Ontario-grown fruits and vegetables. The business received Foodland Ontario’s Platinum All-Seasons award as well as the Foodland Ontario Award of Excellence. Blyth firefighters were honoured with medals of merit from the Fire Fighters Association of Ontario and the Fire Marshal’s office. The medals were given in recognition of thefirefighters’efforts at a call to a MorrisTwp. farm, which resulted in savingthe life of a heart attack victim. Stephen Webster of Blyth wasnamed winner of the 2006 HuronFederation of Agriculture Award for Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture. It was a difficult decision to make, but the Huron County Federation of Agriculture president said it was the only leverage farmers had left. The HCFA board passed a motion recommending that its members not allow their lands to be used by snowmobile clubs until the government enacts a fully-funded risk management plan. Marie McCutcheon of Brussels and Joan Watson of Blyth were among the 70 members of the Anglican Diocese of Huron to receive the Bishop’s awards for excellence in ministry. Dining Out in Blyth turned 10. Daniel and Nick Packer of Londesborough received the Duke of Edinburg award. Aaron Richmond, formerly of Brussels, published his book of original poems Night Song. Local musician Joshua Gropp released his new CD of original material at a party in Memorial Hall. Sunsets from Swingsets featured all acoustic music. One thousand five hundred mourners turned out to honour OPP Const. Dave Mounsey who succumbed to injuries sustained in an on-duty automobile crash a month earlier. The Centre for Renewable Energy opened in Brussels. The Brussels Legion Branch 218 celebrated 75 years of service. James Gunn was the new managerof the Blyth CIBC Branch. ‘Citizen’ editor Bonnie Gropp was among the winners as Ausauble Bayfield Conservation Authority held its first journalism awards. Neil Vincent was sworn in as the new reeve of North Huron, having defeated incumbent Doug Layton in the November election. Jenny Versteeg of RR2, Gorrie was named chair of the Avon Maitland District School Board. Bill Siemon, a former councillor and reeve of McKillop, will be the third representative from Huron East on county council. The Wingham Juveniles won the Silver Stick championship. Ron Marcy was chosen as the new chair of the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2007. PAGE 7.Remembering some highs and lows of 2006 Attention: Developers & Non-Profit Organizations, Financial Institutions, Realtors and Interested Members of the Public Invitation to Public Information Sessions When? Wednesday, January 17, 2007 1st Session: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Huron County Museum Theatre 110 North Street, Goderich, Ontario 2nd Session: 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Exeter Municipal Building 322 Main Street, Exeter, Ontario The purpose of these public sessions is to share information about the guidelines and criteria for the new Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Programs (Rental/Supportive Capital component and the Homeownership component). These information sessions will detail how interested proponents may apply through an Expression of Interest for up to $70,000 per unit to provide new, renovated or converted affordable housing in Huron County, or participate in the Homeownership component where an average of $7,400 per household is available for the purchase of a home by qualifying households. For more information you can log onto our website at huroncounty.ca or call Huron County Housing Services at 519-482-8505 or 1-888-371-5718. "BABY AND I PROGRAM" CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL January 2007, 10:00 - 11:30 CONFERENCE ROOM 2nd Floor WHEN ATTENDING FOR THE FIRST TIME PLEASE REGISTER IN ADMITTING PROGRAM TOPICS: Wednesday, January 10 - Babysitters And You Wednesday, January 17 - Post Partum Depression Wednesday, January 24 -Crying, Sleeping And Your Baby Wednesday, January 31 -Romance After Baby For more info call Veronica Farquhar - 519-482-3440 Ext. 6304 The Ethel Christmas euchre was held on Monday, Dec. 18 with 10 tables in play. Winners were: high, Myrna Burnett, Adrian Verstoep; lone hands, Verna Crawford, Ross Stephenson, Helen Dobson; low, Isabelle Craig, Percy Fischer; share the wealth and door prizes, Edna McLellan, Judy Hahn, Myrna Burnett, Mary Huether, Isabelle Craig, Lloyd Smith. There was a large number of tally prizes. The next euchre will be held on Monday, Jan. 8 at 8 p.m. 10 tables at Ethel euchre