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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-01-11, Page 1Waste expensive Waste study paints expensive future See page 5 Junior Farmer honours Auburn man honoured See page 14 Sports Blyth, Belgrave, Brussels teams busy See page 16 \ - - Serving Brussels, Blyth, Auburn, Belgrave, Ethel, Londesborough, Walton and surrounding townships. ■ ■ ■ ■ VOL. 5 NO. 2 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989.45 CENTS Homemakers protest at Queen's Park More than 50 Town and Country homemakers travelled toTorontoon Monday tojoin hundreds of their counterparts in a demonstration at Queen’s Park to draw attention to the serious ministerial underfund­ ing which many say is threatening their very existence. The Ontario Legislature set aside routine business for an emergency debate on the financial crisis facing most non-profit homemaking ser­ vices in the province, in particular the threatened phasing out of those provided by the Red Cross, the largest provider of such care in Ontario. The issuecame toa head last week when the Red Cross announced that itwasfacing a 1988-89 projected deficit of SI. 1 million, and would be forced to being withdrawing its homemaking services as early as January 20 if the provi nee did not come to its rescue within the next few days. Social Services Minister John Sweeney initially refused the bail­ out because of the precedent such a movemightset.Butin theface of rising pressure, his ministry an­ nounced Friday that the provincial government will cover the deficits forecast by the Red Cross, and for six other not-for-profit organizations across the province. Six other not-for-profit agencies have forecast 1988-89 deficits totall­ ing $700,000. which the province will cover. In addition, COMSOC and the Ministry of Health have committed themselves to covering the 1989-90 projected deficits of the non-profit agencies, subject to an operational review which will examine the costs of providing the homemaking ser­ vices and verify the deficits. The Ontario Division of the Red Cross provides more than four million hours of home care to more than 180,000 individuals and fami­ lies in rural Ontario, accounting for Continued on page 20 Brussels council will demolish offending World War 1 veteran Comrade Fred Thuell, centre right, had the honour of cutting the ribbon to declare the newly-renovated Brussels Legion officially open on Saturday, less than seven months after it was gutted by fire. Royal Canadian Legion Provincial President Joe Kobolak assisted Mr. Thuell, while other guests of honour at the ceremony included [from left] Deputy Zone Commander John MacDonald; Building Committee Chairman Murray Lowe; Brussels Legion President Eugene Janes; and District Commander Glenn Bridge. Many of those present attributed the successful re-opening of the facility in record time to Brussels’ “tremendous community spirit.’’ Community spirit lauded at Legion opening The newly-renovated Brussels Legion w'as officially opened on Saturday while virtually every speaker on the long opening pro­ gram paid tribute to the enormous community spirit which made it all possible, just seven months after it was gutted in a disastrous fire last July. Close to 200 people, many of them Legion and Ladies’ Auxiliary mem­ bers from other Legions throughout the district, were on hand for both the laying of wreaths and official ribbon-cutting held under grey skies outside, then remained for more than an hour of presentation and ceremony in the bright new upstairs hall. Few will forget the day’s events. A planned aerial salute had to be cancelled because of the weather, but its absence did nothing to detract from the solemn moments as wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph by Comrade Fred Thuell in memory of Huronview proposal put on hold After being pushed for months to complete a study for a new Huron­ view home for the aged, Huron County Council now finds its plans have been put on hold by the provincial government and several councillors aren’t happy about the move. Wayne Lester, Administrator for Huronview told county councillors at their Jan. 5 session that the plans for a modern, smaller Huronview have been put on hold by the Ministry of Community and Social Services World War I veterans, by Comrade Bill Elston in memory of World War II veterans, and by Royal Canadian Legion Provincial President Joe because, as one Ministry official said, the Ministry “is in a state of fermentation’’. The London Area Manager for the Ministry told Mr. Lester that he was not able to approve the redevelop­ ment plan at present as his office is awaiting a clear policy direction regarding redevelopment of homes for the aged from the Toronto office. Lossy Fuller, Deputy Reeve of Exeter and past Chairman of the Committee of Management of Huronview said it was only a matter Kobolak in tribute to present Legion comrades. The brief ceremony was followed with a prayer of remem- Continued on page 6 of months ago the province was pushing the county to complete its Seniors Care Facility Committee so it could move quickly toward building a new Huronview. There were deadlines imposed by the province that had tobe met, she said. “I’m certainly disappointed that after it (the decision) was all completed, theyputuson hold. ’ ’ She expressed a fear that the whole Huronview proposal could be lost Continued on page 3 building BY LISA BOONSTOPPEL The obstructing building in the middle of the street leading to the Brussels Industrial Park will be destroyed decided the angry Brus­ sels council at their monthly meeting last Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 3. After months of fighting between council and Ralph Watson of Topnotch Feeds which owns the building, council decided that the village of Brussels would take matters into its own hands. Council is giving Topnotch one week to move or take down the building themselves. “Ifwetakeitdown, itwon’tgo back up again,’’ said Reeve Gordon Workman, “and Topnotch is going to pay the bill.’’ The battle has been heating up over the past months since Council wanted the roadblock moved be­ cause it’s a roadblock to the development of the Industrial Park. Council hired a London Law firm to make negotiations with Topnotch on behalf of the village. Topnotch says the building has beentherefor “umpteenyears” and don’t want to move it.