Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-11-04, Page 1News ■ Sports ■ Entertainment ■ Review Area men throw hat into political ring See page 6 Brussels team ‘crusades’ no more See page 10 Don Harron shares thoughts on Blyth Festival See page 22 Many gather in the Grand’s Dining Room See page 23 CitizenTheNorthHuron Icy remarks thrown by Blyth councillors By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot It seems Blyth councillors were for a time, more worried about ver­ bally plowing each other than plowing snow Tuesday night. What started out as a discussion 60 centsWednesday, November 4,1992 Brussels hydro, sewer rates to rise on how to handle snow removal in Blyth this winter was compared to a snowball fight as councillors threw icy remarks in each others direction before uniting in their agreement to use the town's truck for snow removal rather than tender the job out. At one point during the heated debate, Councillor Steve Sparling halted the conversation and said, "As an individual, I'm a bit embar­ rassed at the tone at some of these meetings. I don't think we need to stockpile snowballs before each meeting." It all began when councillors began reviewing a list of figures Clerk-Treasurer Helen Grubb had pulled from files to reveal the cost of operating the village truck used for snow removal. Councillors Doug Scrimgeour and Robbie Lawrie had requested the figures at several previous council meetings to see if it was more practical to tender snow removal in Blyth rather than spend approximately $800 to repair the truck. "I'm concerned about the method Ms Grubb has used to calculate the cost of operation," said Councillor Scrimgeour. "There's no way she could have correctly figured out the cost of operation because she's mixed up the costs with grant money." Councillor Lawrie agreed with him. In her figures, Ms Grubb had listed separately license, insurance, fuel and repair costs plus the amount of money the town receives as fees when the truck is lent out for other uses. This fee is set by the Ministry of Transportation and last year, was set at $23.30 per hour. This fee was calculated into the operation cost to come up with an Continued on page 6 Vandals torch bus on Devil’s Night It was a hot time in the old town on Devil's Night, as vandals set fire to a school bus parked in the Brus­ sels' Industrial Park. A spokesperson from the Wing- ham OPP said the bus was fully engulfed by the time volunteers from the Brussels Fire Department arrived on the scene at 2 a.m. Damage to the bus, which was owned by Wheeler Bus Lines is estimated at $10,000. Higher costs passed down from the provincial level will mean Brussels homeowners get socked with increased utility bills next year. After a meeting with Ministry of the Environment (MOE) officials Monday afternoon, Brussels Vil­ lage Council Monday night approved a $4 per month increase in the charge for sewers. The rate goes from $19 a month to $23. The increase will cover charges from MOE for sewer costs that will increase from $9,614.42 a month in 1992 to $11,411.33 a month in 1993 — an extra $1792.91 per month or $21,515 a year. Council rejected the possibility of a split rate, which would charge a higher rate for commercial users as is done in Blyth, in favour of charging all customers the same amount. Councillors noted that there are many small retailers in Brussels who use less water than a homeowner. I Clerk-Treasurer Donna White also told council that electrical bills will be going up in the village because the amount the Brussels Public Utilities Commission is charged for electricity from Ontario Hydro will increase 8.7 per cent (the overall increase in electrical costs for Ontario Hydro across the province is 7.9 per cent). Jewitt puts condition on JK By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot The only way Hullett trustee John Jewitt will support Junior Kindergarten is if it provides a learning opportunity for career- minded students. At Monday's board meeting, Mr. Jewitt said "I would support it with resignation if it did some good for Huron County by providing train­ ing to young people." He is referring to students who plan on pursuing a career in early childhood education and could learn and gain experience from working in the program. "If it would equip young people with jobs in the future, I would support it," he said. This is the first time he's indicat­ ed any support for the program which is being mandated by the government. The Lrustees, as a whole, weren't in support of the program. Never­ theless, the provincial government Continued on page 19 Police have no suspects. Despite numerous patrols by both police and civilians the mischief makers in Brussels could not be kept completely at bay on Hal­ lowe’en. According to a spokesperson from the Wingham OPP, two men and two Young Offenders have been charged with mischief after the globe lights were removed from the front of the post office and smashed. Wayne Redman, 19, of Agin­ court and Thomas Yule, 18, Monk­ ton will appear in Wingham's provincial court on Nov. 18. The Young Offenders will appear in Goderich on Dec. 3.