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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-09-01, Page 1The North Huron itizen Vol. 9 No.35 Wednesday, September 1 , 1993 600 GST included BMG Head Lifeguard Kim Fritz, extreme left, roots for her team mate during this rally at the pool on Friday afternoon. For a perfect ending to a perfect summer, the pool staff treated the Junior Lifeguards and the swim team members to a fun day and barbecue between the afternoon and evening public swimming. The pool closed Sunday. BMG Bd. solves tractor problem Feature Lost pooch story has happy ending for Blyth-area family See page 6 Travel Brussels youth returns from exchange trip to Germany See page 111 Entertainment Glorious 12th an excellent ending to an excellent Blyth season See page 19 25 attend Huron catalogue meeting After some deliberation, with the BMG Recreation Board, members of Brussels and Grey and Morris Twp. councils agreed at a meeting, Aug. 25 to call for tenders for an ice surface machine. Representatives were told that since March 1991 there have been problems occurring with the trac- tor, a 1976 545 Styar which is presently being used to install and maintain the ice as well as for grass cutting at the two ball parks, the tennis courts and soccer field. It was stated that the tractor is used 180 days a year or 90 percent of the time, during October to March, while only 20 days or 10 percent of the time was spent grass cutting. The problems began with the injector pump, which apparently took eight months to repair due to the rarity of the tractor. In the inter- im a tractor was rented at a cost of S690. In February 1992, water was drained from the fuel filters and the sediment bowl cleaned at a cost of $336.84. Total repair rental costs for 1992 were $2,002.68. This past July the injector pump broke again. An estimate of $3,792.47 was received at the Aug. 11 board meeting for a pump, water separator and oil and fuel filters. The question council and board members were asked was whether to repair the tractor, purchase a new one or purchase a used or new ice surface machine. The board acknowledged that no additional funding would be expected from the three municipali- ties (Brussels, Morris and Grey). Financing is to come from contri- butions, advertising space on equipment, equipment sale and recreation capital reserve, which presently sits at $34,391. An oper- ating reserve of $15,000 will not be touched and is designated for cur- rent regular operating expenses. The projected cost of repairing the Styar is $3,800. This would be less expensive and means that only one piece of equipment would be needed for grass and ice work. However, it does not solve a fuel emission problem, though warning signal lights for dangerous fumes could he installed at an additional estimated cost of S2,500, represen- tatives were told. Also, it was said that the aging tractor would need to be replaced at some point and the possibility of donations is remote. Ice quality would not be improved. To purchase a new tractor, at an estimated cost of $13,500 - $22,572 would guarantee a longer life and lower maintenance cost. In addition the present mower and ice making machine could be used. Again though fuel emssions would be reduced they would not be elimi- nated and ice quality would not improve. The board noted more advan- tages to the purchase of a new or used ice surface machine. The esti- mated cost has been figured at between $19,440 and $37,530. Fuel emissions problems would be solved and the ice surface would be smoother and thinner. It takes less hydro. Advertising space can be sold on the body as demonstrated by Drayton- with an estimated rev- enue of $10,000 every five years. It was noted that the possibility of contributions. and donations appears to be greater with this option. The disadvantages to this option About 25 people from across Huron County attended a meeting in Blyth Aug. 24 to hear more about a plan to publish a Christmas catalogue featuring made in Huron products. Those present heard from a group were the fact that an alternative method for the 20 days of grass cutting would need to be found and that the present mower and ice making machine would not be used. Following the board's presenta- tion Chairperson Alvin McLellan asked the board members and council representatives for their position on the proposals. Finally, a motion was made by Dale Newman, seconded by Brus- sels Councillor Greg Wilson that the present Styar tractor be repaired and that the board proceed with fundraising to purchase a new ice surface machine. The offer to pur- chase will be made after 50 percent has been raised in this manner. The sale of advertising space on the ice surface machine shall be included in the fundraising total. The motion carried. At this time, the representatives from the BMG Catering Group, Bessie Johnston and Audrey Cardiff discussed the possibility of obtaining a dishwasher for the arena kitchen. It was agreed that prices be obtained and the item be included in the 1994 budget. of people who have been working for two months on the catalogue idea as a way of increasing the market for locally-made products. David Peacock, marketing director of the Blyth Festival and one of the group members, explained that the idea of co-operation would open up the 20,000 name Blyth Festival mailing list to producers of quality Huron-made products. He explained that a co-operative seemed to be the way to deliver the catalogue service at the least possi- ble cost. Those involved in the cat- alogue would also be members of the co-operative. Also speaking at the meeting was Tony tenWesteneind of the Market- ing Co-operatives Advisory Service Business Development Unit, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. He outlined the history of co- operatives and how one can be formed. Further meetings will be held in the next few weeks to pursue the catalogue project. Recruitment of new members is essential for the catalogue to proceed. Publication is set for late October. People get first look at IPM Hundreds of people got their first glimpse of what lies ahead when the 1993 International Plowing Match is held near Walkerton at media day on the site, Wednesday. In the sweltering heat the media, many of the hundreds of volunteers involved in planning the match and invited guests heard members of the plowing match committees out- line plans for the big show. Jim Reed of Dungannon, former host of CTV's W5 current affairs show, was chairman of the event. The IPM, he said, has become a cross- roads for non-farmers to interact with the people who make their food. "The IPM represents the best our community has to offer," he said. John Fennell, general manager of the Ontario Plowmen's Association said the previous few days had been hectic as 500 exhibitors had been on the site to inspect their exhibit areas. There was still a little exhibit space left at the site but by opening day all six streets in the "tented city" should be full, he said. Continued on page 10 Holiday hours Well, it may not be official, but it always seems like the end of summer once Labour Day arrives. Because of the holiday on Monday, the Brussels office of The Citizen will be open only from noon until 2 for advertis- ing and editorial copy. The hours in Blyth will remain the same with deadline at 4.