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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2007-04-19, Page 1The CitizenVolume 23 No. 16 Thursday, April 19, 2007 $1.25 ($1.18 + 7c GST)Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Inside this week Pg. 2 Pg. 6 Pg. 9 Pg. 11 Pg. 12 Madill student wins provincial contest Local woman plans fundraiser Blyth girl gets national gold Woman brings global message to Huron County Former ‘Citizen’ correspondent celebrates 90th The Brussels Optimists are continuing their efforts for community with their big fundraising auction to be held this weekend. This is the eighth year for the annual dinner event, which has raised $125,000 over the years. Those funds have benefitted the local community, through jaws of life for the Brussels and Grey Fire Departments, and the Brussels Conservation Park. Money has also gone to bigger causes including the Make A Wish Foundation, London’s Sick Children’s Hospital, cystic fibrosis and Jesse’s Journey. This year’s beneficiary is again the local fire departments. Proceeds from the dinner auction will go towards the purchase of a thermal imaging camera for the Grey department and emergency life air bags for the Brussels department. The eighth annual Brussels Optimists dinner aution is being held at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre, Saturday, April 21. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. To donate or purchase tickets contact any Optimist member or call 519-887-6502. Optimist auction, Saturday Surprise! This young man was caught off guard when holding something for this clown at Hullett Central Public School’s 40th anniversary last weekend. The clown was only one of the many attractions that had cars lining any street even close to the school. There was food, music, silent and live auctions, games and fun for everyone. However, when this young man took on the seemingly harmless task of holding down what the clown gave him to hold very tight, he complied, only to be greeted by a bloom of red balls in his hand. The clown was a big hit at the celebration, capturing the imaginations of many kids. (Shawn Loughlin photo) If you love country music, want to share your passion and you're ready to “sing your heart out”, register for the am920 Ontario Open Country Singing Contest. The annual contest is hosted by the Blyth Festival from June 8-10. Singers can register right now for this contest with registrations closing on May 1. This professionally-produced annual music festival is attracting country music performers from throughout the province. Registration is limited to the first 110 participants. Participation fees are $50 for adults, $40 for 18 and under and $35 for 12 and under karaoke Competition. Contestants have the chance to win cash prizes, and gain profile and stage experience, performing in front of a live audience, in a professional venue with a highly skilled band. Performance prizes up to $1,000 will be awarded in the Adult Male and Adult Female Categories. In the 18 and under category, teens have a chance to win up to $200 in either a male or female category and Youth 12 and under compete for cash prizes up to $100 in a karaoke competition. Full details are available on-line at www.ontariocountrysingingcontest.com and by calling the Blyth Festival special events co-ordinator, Amber Riehl, at 519-523-9300, ext 211. The long-involved process that results in a final budget for the Twp. of North Huron has whittled the original 30 per cent potential increase down to something a little more palatable. And it could get even lower. Director of finance/treasurer Donna White said that the most recent draft is showing a five per cent increase. However, council still has two more meetings,April 23 and April 30 to consider any further changes. “I am hoping this will be wrapped up by then, but one never knows,” said White. For the past few years, North Huron council has passed a bare bones budget, finding dollars for the must haves only to keep taxes as low as possible. It’s a tactic that may bring comfort at the time, but can come with a cost down the road. “The days of zero per cent do catch up with you unless you have reserves. Because let’s face it, costs go up every year for everything and that’s no different for the municipality. Everything costs us more too,” said White. Her hope is that council can start to prepare for the big surprises that ulimately arrive. “Unfortunately in the past we haven’t had enough money to put some away for preventative maintenance, so have acted when something’s become an emergency. I’d like to see us plan so that we can address a small problem before it’s a big one.” Some of the big projects that are being undertaken this year include work on Dinsley Street from Morris to John Streets. “We applied for a grant of $390,000 and were successful,” said White. “We are very thankful for that infrastructure money. Dinsley is a big project.” Infrastructure has always been a priority, said White and continues to be. “That’s going to be an on-going reality. We just have to work with it in the projects we pick.” Infrastructure work is also suggested for Alfred Street in Wingham and on Marnoch Line in East Wawanosh. For Catherine Street in Wingham, it’s all about what the future will hold, said White. “We don’t have enough money to do Catherine Street, but we will put money in a reserve for later. “It doesn’t necessarily commit them to the work, but it will be there if they decide down the road to proceed.” Looking ahead is a priority as well. “One of the big things in the budget is $34,000 for strategic planning and development,” said White. “There has also been a feeling this year that we need to undertake a market exercise to promote North Huron not just to outside areas, but to people within the community.” Water and sewer don’t affect taxes. However, White said, the township has had to go through some rate increases. “Operating costs are one thing, but capital replacement is another. That’s where we’re running into big expenses.” To address this, White has been working with an engineering firm to try and project future capital costs and build this into the rates so money can be set aside to cover them when they arise. Asset management is a huge undertaking that the township has never had to worry about before. Provincial legislation states that municipalities must now record their assets, which will include roads, watermains and buildings. “It’s going to be a lot of work and will require a lot of staff time. It will also require outside expertise as well.” As council prepares to consider the budget over the next two meetings, White said they come to the table with a “very realistic outlook.” “Council is very conscious of the work that needs to be done, of the projects that need attention. If they leave these things it will just catch up with us later. Obviously the lower the tax increase the better but that’s not always the wisest decision.” Final budget closer for North Huron By Bonnie Gropp The Citizen OPP are investigating a hit and run fatality which occurred on Harriston Road, between Gorrie and Wroxeter at approximately 3:30 a.m. Saturday, April 14. Police say that Travis Sturgeon, 16 of Gorrie, was apparently walking along Harriston Road when he was struck by an unknown vehicle. The OPP technical traffic collision investigators were on the scene for several hours. The police would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who was travelling along that road between the hours of 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-822-TIPS. Youth dies in hit and run Sing your heart out in Blyth