The Citizen, 2007-03-15, Page 1The Citizen
Volume 23 No. 11 Thursday, March 15, 2007 $1.25 ($1.18 + 7c GST)
Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County
Inside this week
Pg. 2
Pg. 3
Pg. 10
Pg. 19
Pg. 23
Business gets new
owners
New business on
main street
Local teams win
tourney gold
Blyth students win
for poster, essays
Legion presents
awards at Hullett CPS
With a political career spanning
four decades, Huron-Bruce Liberal
MP Paul Steckle has decided to hang
up the gloves.
At a press conference at Stanley
Twp. Complex in Varna on March 7,
Steckle announced that he would not
seek re-election in the next federal
election, whenever it may be.
“I was first elected to public office
in 1970, when I was just 28 years
old. That election, which brought me
to sit as an elected representative, in
this very room, gave way to a
political career spanning four
decades. Since that time, I have held
elected offices of reeve of Stanley
Twp., warden of Huron County and
member of Parliament for Huron-
Bruce,” he said.
“In that time, I have been able to
effect many changes that I am proud
of. I have worked diligently to
represent my constituents and to
better my community.”
Steckle described himself as a
person who was never fearful of
speaking out on the issues of the day.
He also thanked several family
members, friends and colleagues
who were in attendance, saying that
he couldn’t have come this far
without them.
“It is time for the next generation
to take over where I have left off and
it is time for me to return home to my
family; as a husband, a father and as
a grandfather,” he said.
Steckle’s wife, Kathy, was seated
at his right side for his
announcement, and when asked she
mirrored many of her husband’s
thoughts about his announcement.
“I feel just fine, thank you,” she
said. “Politics has been good to us as
well, but it’s time to move on to other
things.”
Steckle added that in addition to
having more time for family, that he
would like to have more time for
other hobbies that had fallen by the
wayside during his political career,
like hunting, fishing and cutting the
grass.
And as one door closes, another
opens as immediately after Steckle’s
announcement, his executive
assistant and newly-appointed North
Huron councillor Greg McClinchey
became the first Liberal to announce
plans to enter the nominations for
Huron-Bruce.
“For more than 13 years I have
worked, both in Ottawa and locally,
with government and with the
Liberal community,” McClinchey
said.
“I have endeavoured to help
represent the interests of the people
of Huron-Bruce, be it at local council
or at the federal level and I am eager
Sailing
If you can’t get to the beach during March Break, then bring the beach to you. That’s the focus
at Walton Little School this week as their school-age program features ‘beach’ activities
including arts and crafts and a day at the pool. Sophie Cardiff watches the progress of her
‘sailboat’. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
Steckle
hangs
up the
gloves
The county is set to present its
draft budget at two public meetings.
The first is March 20 at 10 a.m. in
the Columbus Centre of the North
Huron Wescast Community
Complex. The second will be March
22 at 9 a.m. in the South Huron
Recreation Centre in Exeter.
The most recent version shows an
increase of 7.68 per cent. However,
there is also room for maneouvering.
In addition to the draft, county
councillors were presented with a
list of ‘controllable expenditures’ at
the March 7 meeting. “As a result of
various discussions we created a list
of controllable expenses that could
be removed,” said treasurer David
Carey. “This allows council to go
through and pick and choose, but
remember to look at the impacts.”
For example removing
infrastructure funding in the amount
of $883,268 could bring a year over
year percentage change of four per
cent. However, while there would be
no impact to 2007 operations, it
could affect future years. “Raising
funding for future asset replacement,
renewal or rehabilitation now avoids
large levy increases in the future,”
said Carey. “Pay now or pay much
more later.”
Removing $200,000 for the CT
scanner for Goderich’s Alexandra
Marine and General Hospital would
have a minimal effect on the levy of
less than one per cent. It would
however not affect the county
operation.
Some items would see a
considerable cut in the levy actually
taking it into a minus percentage.
However the impacts would need to
be seriously considered. For
example taking $700,000 from
winter maintenance would mean a
-7.45 per cent change in the levy.
This reduced the level approved by
council by $.7 million.
“The plan is to have in reserve the
average of the past five years’winter
maintenance costs in reserve for
emergency purposes. Should there
be a heavier than normal winter and
these funds are not available, other
reserves will need to be utilized or
short-term borrowing may be
required.”
This would be levied in the
subsequent year to be re-paid within
one year. “If funding is not available
roads will be closed more and more
as a result of reduced winter
maintenance.”
There were 19 items on the list for
consideration.
“I really appreciate this,” Huron
East councillor Bernie MacLellan
told Carey. “This makes it a lot
easier. It’s a huge benefit. If we’re
bent and determined we don’t like
the figure, we should be able to
come down to what we want to take
out.”
Neil Rintoul, councillor for
Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh,
This weekend is a big one for Blyth
Minor Hockey.
Blyth Minor Hockey is hosting an
alumni game, the first of its kind, to
raise funds for the league.
“We’re holding an alumni game, so
we’re going to have players from the
age of 20 up to 59, and they’re all
people who have come up through
Blyth Minor Hockey,” Kim Teed, the
organization’s secretary said. “Some
of the players still play, and some
don’t. So it should be interesting.”
In addition to the game, there will
be a silent auction with some fantastic
prizes up for grabs.
On the auction block are an
autographed stick and jersey from
Carolina Hurricanes goalie prospect,
Blyth’s Justin Peters, and an
autographed stick from Oshawa
Generals goalie, Blyth’s Anthony
Peters. There are also autographed
jerseys from Sam Gagner and Steve
Downie and an replica summit series
jersey autographed by Frank
Mahovlich. There is also an
autographed Roadhammers CD and
framed photo and an autographed
book by Lloyd Eisler.
In between the periods of the
alumni game, there will be activities
for the kids and the fans. During the
first intermission, Blyth mites will be
hitting the ice for a mini game and
there will also be a Chuck-A-Puck
contest.
In addition, there will also be a
50/50 draw, with money going to
support Blyth Minor Hockey.
The game will take place on March
18 at 3 p.m., doors will open to the
arena for the game and silent auction
at 2 p.m. Admission is at the door, it is
$4 for adults and children are free as
long as they are accompanied by an
adult.
And if it’s successful, Teed and the
rest of Blyth Minor Hockey don’t just
want to leave it at that. “We’re hoping
to make it an annual event,” she says.
“So, we’ll have to see how well it
goes.”
County takes budget on the road
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
Continued on page 6
Big party
for minor
hockey
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
Continued on page 6
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen