The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1989-02-08, Page 39THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1989. PAGE 39. Book biz booming in north Huron libraries The libraries of North Huron did a booming business in 1988, Beth Ross Huron County Chief Librarian told Huron County Council Thurs day in her annual report. Brussels library branch led the county with a huge increase of 46 per cent in the number of books loaned out during the year. The branch saw 13,125 loaned during the year compared with 9,099 the year before. Good results were reported throughout most of the north eastern part of the county, Ms. Ross said. Blyth saw a 19 per cent Huronview decision upheld increase in book lendings to 10,643 for the year. Ethel increased circu lation by 28 per cent with 2,357 books loaned. Cranbrook increased its loan by five per cent. With the opening of the new Wingham library branch this year, circulation of books there jumped by 18 per cent to 51,390 from 43,529. On the loss side, circulation at Bluevale dropped to 1,116 from 2,152, a loss of 52 per cent while Auburn dropped nine per cent (2,239 to 2,041) and Walton dropp ed seven per cent (1,169 to 1,080). In all, Ms. Ross said, if you took all the books and materials borrow ed from the Huron County Library last year and piled them on top of each other, you would have to stack 12 kilometers high, or the size of 22 CN towers. An increased number of library branches are holding story hours and other activities, Sharon Cox, Children’s and assistant librarian told council with 6,382 attending such activities in 1988 compared to 4,957 in 1987. Continued from page 1 plan to renovate part of Huronview and build two smaller north and south sites would be $12.8 million. Several councillors in discussing the options said they worried they might be committed, if they accep ted the option to build an all-new facility, to having county owned buildings in both the north and the south when privately owned facili ties might have fulfilled the need. Warden Dave Johnston assured councillors that the proposal was the maximum size of the project and that if it could be scaled down by having private owners operate north or south locations, it would be done. He explained that he had asked that the options, complete with more detailed costing, be given to the councillors because he had heard from councillors that they had approved the original new Huronview without knowing enough about the financial costs and without knowing the combined impact of the new Huronview and the Waste Management project, now in the study stage. Figures presented at the meeting estimated the cost of completing the waste management study and beginning the process of getting a new waste disposal facility into operation to be $1.84 million between 1989 and 1993, or $368,400 per year. The figures presented showed that the combined cost of the new Huronview and the waste manage ment project would be $1,262 million each year until 1993 which would mean a .4 mill increase for county purposes to every taxpayers in the county. For someone with a $50,000 assessment that would mean a tax increase for county purposes just for those items, of $20 per year. Warden Johnston asked the councillors to take their time and consider the choice between the three options carefully. “What we need from you is guidance,” Warden Johnston said. “If all three (proposals) are too rich, we might as well be telling the province.” Lionel Wilder, reeve of Hay township said he was “a little astounded” at the dollars involved in the Huronview proposal. A few years ago the cost had been put at $1 million for renovations, and now the cost has grown to $14 million. The estimated cost of the new Huronview when the county first approved the idea last July was $10 million. Despite the higher cost, how ever, Reeve Wilder said he could n’t support the idea of 220 beds at a renovated Huronview and would be in favour of smaller units with some in the north and the south. Reeve Tom Cunningham of Hul- lett was one of three who voted against support for the plan for a new Huronview. He said he had felt from the beginning that the proposal was too expensive. Bill Hanly, clerk-administrator for the county reminded the counc illors that if county council had approved the proposal to renovate Huronview when it was first brought up four years ago, the renovation would be done and paid for by now. By waiting the costs had escalated and delaying might drive costs up even more. The subject of the renovation of the old Huronview into offices was also discussed. Mr. Hanly noted that if the decision to renovate the old building and keep all 220 beds at the current Huronview site was followed, the negotiations to rent the south wing to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) for its Huron office would have to be terminated the next day. Reeve Gerry Prout of Usbome wondered if the Huronview Com mittee of Management had any estimates of the cost of the renova tion as yet. Brian McBurney, reeve of Turnberry and chairman of the committee, said there were no figures available yet. Warden Johnston said that OMAF is being very flexible and might even be prepared to do the renovations itself. At any rate, he said, any renovation costs would be recoverable by the county in rent. An arrangement is being worked out with the Ministry of Communi ty and Social Services, which owns half the building, to share the rentals accepted, with a 70 per cent share going to either the county or the province, whichever does the renovations, and a 30 per cent share going to the other party. When the vote was finally taken only Reeve Cunningham, Deputy- Reeve Garry Baker of Stephen and Deputy-Reeve John Rodges of Goderich township voted against the proposal for an entirely new, three-site Huronview. Happy 4th Birthday Lee LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-800-265-3438 FOR TOLL FREE MOVIE INFO. Student actors perform at Blyth on weekend Student theatre companies from as far afield as Port Elgin and Cambridge will perform on the stage of Blyth Memorial Hall this weekend as the annual Central Huron School Drama Festival is held in Blyth. Eight plays in all will be present ed by the schools beginning Friday night when the host school Central Huron from Clinton presents its play at 7:30. Also performing Friday evening will be F.E. Madill from Wingham, Glenview Park Secondary School of Cambridge and Walkerton District Secondary of Walkerton. Saturday afternoon, starting at 1:30 p.m. Listowel District Secon dary School will present two differ ent plays. Saturday evening Norwell Dis trict Secondary School from Pal merston, and Saugeen District Secondary School of Port Elgin will each present plays beginning at 7:30 p.m. Following the final presentation the adjudication will take place and prizes will be handed out. BLYTH FESTIVAL SINGERS presents CEILIDH AN EVENING OF SONG AND DANCE Saturday, February 18th 8 p.m. [Snow Date - Saturday, Feb. 25] At Clinton Town Hall Tickets: $10. [including Buffet Dinner with haggis] call Blyth Festival Box Office 523-9300/9225 Proceeds to Blyth Festival YOU COULD WIN A $1200 TRAVEL VOUCHER ATTHE VALENTINE DANCE&DRAW SAT., FEB. 11, 1989 ATTHE B.M.&G. COMMUNITY CENTRE ■ J It’s New ... COUPON DAYS Offers valid for month of February dJO per AVAILABLE FROM ANYM>O ticket OPTIMIST MEMBER OPTIMIST CLUB OF BRUSSELS S_ y SAVEON OURMOST POPULAR SPECIALS! CLINTON JUNIOR FARMERS VALENTINE DANCE Fri., Feb. 17/89 9 to 1 Blyth & District Community Centre Admission $5.00/person Proceeds to Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind Corsages to the first 50 escorted ladies Age of majority only 'r.H, Londesboro Lions Club $ CUPID’S BALL SATURDAY, FEB. 11/89 BLYTH & DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE DANCING 9 p.m. -1 a.m. Tickets available from all club members at $16. per couple -- Call 523-4286 SMORGASBORD TO FOLLOW With presentation of the coupons above BUY1 SPECIALGET THESECOND FOR 1/2 PRICE [Offer applies to Eat In or Take-out] Limit one Coupon per Special the Blyth Ipp 523-9381